Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) -  Gloves & Hand Protection Training

Hazard Assessment and Glove Selection:

Chemical Hazards:

• • Scenario: Handling mold cleaning solutions during mold remediation.

  • Detailed Action: Consult chemical resistance charts provided by glove manufacturers. These charts specify the breakthrough time (how long a chemical takes to penetrate the glove) for various chemicals and glove materials.

  • Example: For strong disinfectants, nitrile or neoprene gloves with appropriate thickness and length are essential.

  • Specifics: Understand that different glove materials react differently to various chemicals. A latex glove might protect against some products, but degrade quickly when exposed to certain solvents.

Mechanical Hazards:

• • Scenario: Demolition work with exposed nails and jagged metal.

  • Detailed Action: Prioritize cut-resistant gloves made with Kevlar or Dyneema, combined with leather reinforcement for added durability.

  • Example: When using power tools, ensure gloves provide vibration dampening to prevent hand-arm vibration syndrome.

  • Specifics: Reinforce high ware areas of the gloves, such as the fingertips, and palms.

Thermal Hazards:

• • Scenario: Welding or working near hot surfaces.

  • Detailed Action: Use insulated leather gloves or specialized welding gloves that are heat-resistant and flame-retardant.

  • Example: When working in extreme cold, use insulated gloves with a waterproof outer layer to prevent frostbite.

  • Specifics: Understand that radiant heat, and conductive heat require different types of thermal protection.

Biological Hazards:

• • Scenario: Sewage cleanup or mold remediation with potential for bloodborne pathogens.

  • Detailed Action: Use nitrile gloves that provide a barrier against microorganisms. Ensure gloves are disposed of properly after use.

  • Example: When dealing with contaminated materials, consider double-gloving for added puncture protection.

  • Specifics: Understand that some biological hazards can transfer through the skin, even without cuts present.

Puncture Hazards:

• • Scenario: Handling debris containing sharp objects like broken glass or needles.

  • Detailed Action: Use puncture-resistant gloves with reinforced palms and fingertips.

  • Example: When dealing with used medical waste, use gloves that are rated for puncture resistance, and biohazard protection.

  • Specifics: Understand that the thickness of the glove, and the material that the glove is made from will effect puncture resistance.

Advanced Glove Considerations:

Dexterity vs. Protection:

• • Finding the right balance is essential. Thicker gloves offer more protection but can reduce dexterity.

  • Consider tasks requiring fine motor skills and choose gloves that allow for sufficient dexterity without compromising safety.

Glove Fit and Comfort:

• • Ill-fitting gloves can cause discomfort and reduce productivity.

  • Provide a range of glove sizes and materials to accommodate individual preferences.

  • Understand that sweat can build up in gloves, leading to frequent removal & replacement.

Glove Maintenance and Disposal:

• • Inspect gloves regularly for damage or defects.

  • Clean and disinfect reusable gloves according to manufacturer instructions.

  • Dispose of contaminated gloves properly to prevent the spread of hazards.

  • Understand that some gloves can be washed, and reused, while others are single use.

Layered Protection:

• • In highly hazardous situations, consider layering gloves for added protection.

  • For example, wearing a cut-resistant glove beneath a chemical-resistant glove.

    • This option requires oversized chemical-resistant gloves, which leads to issues with dexterity.

Training and Education:

Hazard Awareness:

• • Ask about the specific hand hazards present on the job site.

  • Ask about additional training on the proper selection, use, and care of gloves.

Hands-On Training:

• • Ask for hands-on demonstrations of proper glove donning and doffing techniques.

Regular Refreshers:

• • Ask about regular refresher training to reinforce safety practices.

Your gloves act as an impenetrable barrier between you and hazardous contaminants. Whether you are dealing with fungal spores (mold) or Category 3 water (sewage), the hands are your most vulnerable point of contact.

This section covers the "Double-Glove" method—a standard industry practice designed to provide redundancy and safety during high-risk cleanup.

Why Two Pairs? The Logic of Redundancy

In remediation, a single layer of nitrile is a "single point of failure." If a glove snags on a jagged piece of drywall or can even degrade in some situations due to chemical exposure, your hands are immediately exposed.

1. Mechanical Protection: The outer glove takes the brunt of the physical labor, protecting the inner glove from punctures and abrasions.

2. Safe Doffing: The most dangerous part of remediation is taking the gear off. Having an inner pair of gloves ensures your skin is never touched by contaminated surfaces during the decontamination process.

3. Chemical Resistance: Some antimicrobial solutions can "permeate" or soften nitrile over time. Doubling up slows this process.

Industry Standards and Validations

Leading regulatory and certifying bodies emphasize the need for rigorous hand protection during biohazard and mold work.

IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)

The IICRC S520 (Standard for Professional Mold Remediation) and the IICRC S500 (Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration) are the "bibles" of our industry.

"Remediators should wear two layers of gloves. The inner glove should be a thin, high-dexterity nitrile glove, while the outer glove should be a heavier-weight nitrile or a puncture-resistant glove depending on the task." — General consensus of IICRC S520 guidelines.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

While OSHA doesn't always mandate the number of gloves, they mandate the result. Under 29 CFR 1910.132, employers must provide PPE that is appropriate for the hazard.

"Hand protection is required when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances... and chemical burns." Furthermore, in their Safety and Health Guide for Mold, OSHA recommends "long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm" and emphasizes that for sewage (Category 3), liquid-proof gloves are a non-negotiable requirement to prevent infection from pathogens like E. coli or Hepatitis A.

The Proper Procedure: The "Sandwich" Method

To maximize the effectiveness of your gloves, follow this specific layering sequence:

Inner Glove / 5 - mil + Nitrile / Stays on until the very end: protects the skin during delayering gloves.

Sleeve Check / Suit Cuff / The sleeve of your disposable coveralls should go OVER the inner glove.

Tape / Duct Tape / Tape the suit sleeve to the inner glove to create a fluid tight seal. Tape should not be so tight that it obstructs movement or blood flow.

Outer Glove / 8 - mil + Heavy Duty Nitrile / This provides the primary barrier against potential contaminants.

Safety Tip: Doffing (Removal)

When you exit the containment area:

1. Remove the outer gloves first (Glove-to-glove, skin-to-skin technique).

2. Remove your suit.

3. Your inner gloves are the last thing to be removed, ensuring that if you accidentally touch the outside of your suit while undressing, your hands remain protected.

Safety Specialist Note: If you feel a "cooling" sensation on your hands or see liquid inside the outer glove, exit the containment immediately to change your PPE. Never "patch" a glove with tape.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a disorder that affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints of the hand, wrist, and arm. It's caused by prolonged exposure to vibrations, typically from using hand-held power tools.  

Think of it like this: Imagine shaking your hand vigorously for hours every day. Over time, this constant shaking can damage the delicate tissues in your hand and arm. That's similar to what happens with HAVS.

The vibrations can cause:

• Vascular issues: This can lead to "vibration white finger" (VWF), where fingers turn white and numb in the cold, then become red and painful as blood flow returns.

• Neurological issues: This can cause tingling, numbness, and a reduced ability to feel things properly in the fingers. It can also lead to a loss of strength and dexterity.

• Musculoskeletal issues: Aches and pains in the hands and arms can develop.

The symptoms can start mild and come and go, but with continued exposure to vibration, they can become permanent and significantly impact a person's ability to perform everyday tasks and work.