Review of the Performance, Selection, and Use of Gloves for Chemical Protection

Skin is a potential route for occupational exposure to chemical agents, which can result in serious injury or illness. The selection of gloves and other chemical protective clothing (CPC) to protect against exposure to hazardous chemicals begins with an informed risk assessment and management approach, which relies on the science and art of glove selection. The science of glove selection includes a fundamental understanding of the limitations of gloves and other CPC, job hazard analyses to identify the hazards posed by specific tasks, choosing from a hierarchy of controls, familiarity with the relevant resources to guide selection, and, in some cases, additional glove performance testing and/or consultation with a qualified occupational and environmental safety and health professional. The art of glove selection includes important considerations, such as ease of use, comfort, cost, and acceptance by workers. Finally, a well-managed personal protective equipment (PPE) program incorporating periodic review, training, supervision, and documentation is critical to protecting workers from occupational injury or illness.