The protective gear that people use in many different occupations is an essential part of their professional equipment. The human body is susceptible to harm from various sources, and in some jobs protective clothing is not merely an optional item. Modern industry is rife with hazards and potential injuries, so taking safety seriously is not negotiable. Choosing the right work gloves is part of that attitude.
There are several reasons why people need to use hand protection in the course of their work. The first and most obvious is mechanical trauma. Even the operation of simple tools like secateurs or pickaxes can cause abrasions and strained muscles over time. Some people who use such tools refuse to wear gloves, and over time their hands have hardened and become accustomed to these dangers. However, even they occasionally suffer from cuts and bruises which could have been avoided through the use of safety wear.
Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.
But it isn't only heat which is a factor. Extreme cold also requires protective measures. People who work in frigid environments needs to use gloves that are both protective and enable enough dexterity for the wearer to perform their tasks. One sometimes sees reports of mountaineers who removed their gloves in an emergency and suffered from frostbite.
Industry sometimes also involves the use of poisonous or corrosive chemicals. The human body cannot withstand these chemicals. Some of them destroy tissue or cause death in minutes. Biological waste, such as medical refuse, may contain infectious viruses or bacteria, some of them terminal in nature.
Some substances are so corrosive that they destroy human tissue on contact. Acids are typical examples, but there are others, such as benzene. Caustic soda is another, and is so strong that only PVC material offers significant protection against it and only for a matter of hours. Deciding on the appropriate material to wear depends on the substance in question and the concentration in which it is present.
There are laboratory workers and medical staff who are tasked with handling samples of infectious illnesses. Gloves give these staff a sense of reassurance, allowing them to maintain a more positive attitude in dealing with their patients or research. For example, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, needle-stick injuries are a common accident and result in the infection of the practitioner. This also happens with other diseases. Exposure to internal bodily fluids, especially during surgery, is a serious risk and is not tolerated in modern medical practice. Medical personnel usually use gossamer-thin latex gloves (which allow surgeons greater freedom of movement) or the thicker nitrile variety.
Some occupations would be impossible without the use of safety gear. A hand injury, if permanent, has the potential to lead to unemployment. Taking hold of your safety is an important part of staying professional and staying safe.
There are several reasons why people need to use hand protection in the course of their work. The first and most obvious is mechanical trauma. Even the operation of simple tools like secateurs or pickaxes can cause abrasions and strained muscles over time. Some people who use such tools refuse to wear gloves, and over time their hands have hardened and become accustomed to these dangers. However, even they occasionally suffer from cuts and bruises which could have been avoided through the use of safety wear.
Temperature is another issue. Some industries make use of high-heat machinery and processes. The human hand cannot take a very high temperature or tolerate even mild heat for more than a matter of seconds. A standard, everyday item like a home geyser can cause discomfort or pain to its users. Burns are extremely serious because they can mean a lengthy layoff from work and they can also turn septic.
But it isn't only heat which is a factor. Extreme cold also requires protective measures. People who work in frigid environments needs to use gloves that are both protective and enable enough dexterity for the wearer to perform their tasks. One sometimes sees reports of mountaineers who removed their gloves in an emergency and suffered from frostbite.
Industry sometimes also involves the use of poisonous or corrosive chemicals. The human body cannot withstand these chemicals. Some of them destroy tissue or cause death in minutes. Biological waste, such as medical refuse, may contain infectious viruses or bacteria, some of them terminal in nature.
Some substances are so corrosive that they destroy human tissue on contact. Acids are typical examples, but there are others, such as benzene. Caustic soda is another, and is so strong that only PVC material offers significant protection against it and only for a matter of hours. Deciding on the appropriate material to wear depends on the substance in question and the concentration in which it is present.
There are laboratory workers and medical staff who are tasked with handling samples of infectious illnesses. Gloves give these staff a sense of reassurance, allowing them to maintain a more positive attitude in dealing with their patients or research. For example, in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, needle-stick injuries are a common accident and result in the infection of the practitioner. This also happens with other diseases. Exposure to internal bodily fluids, especially during surgery, is a serious risk and is not tolerated in modern medical practice. Medical personnel usually use gossamer-thin latex gloves (which allow surgeons greater freedom of movement) or the thicker nitrile variety.
Some occupations would be impossible without the use of safety gear. A hand injury, if permanent, has the potential to lead to unemployment. Taking hold of your safety is an important part of staying professional and staying safe.
