New reference tool for selecting hand protection
April 11th 2008 Hand protection expert Marigold Industrial has launched a new chemical permeation chart providing essential glove performance data against 100 commonly used industrial chemicals.
The new chart, which comes complete with free magnifier, is an essential reference tool for anyone with responsibility for selecting hand protection for people coming into direct contact with chemicals as part of their job.
According to the company, part of Comasec International Group, the new version of its popular chart is an important step in its drive to provide “accurate and authoritative knowledge” in identifying and countering the dangers posed by chemicals in UK industry.
“We are delighted to be able to launch our new Chemical Permeation Chart, which provides essential performance data for all of our chemical resistant gloves.
“The new chart effectively spells out clearly and simply not only how long you can safely use our gloves with a particular chemical but which gloves provide the highest levels of protection,” said Marigold Industrial UK Country Manager John Thorne.
“Where worker contact with chemicals is concerned, extreme care and vigilance is absolutely essential, and the choice of suitable glove material, and awareness of its life expectancy, could not be more crucial,” added Mr Thorne.
Permeation is the process by which a chemical can pass through a protective barrier – ie a glove – without going through visible openings. Molecules of a specific chemical enter the glove material and effectively wriggle through the compound – with the glove material often appearing unchanged to the human eye despite the fact its protection has been compromised.
As a result, the easy-to-follow chart adopts a number rating from 0 to 6 to highlight specific glove permeation performance against 100 chemicals listed. A glove with a score of 6 (highlighted in green) provides permeation protection of over 8 hours whilst a glove with a score of 0 (highlighted in red) provides protection of less than 10 minutes and is therefore inappropriate for use with a particular chemical. Users can also cross-reference official chemical names with their common alternative names.
“Selecting the right gloves to protect against chemicals is an extremely difficult decision to get right as there are a lot of issues to consider. But with the Chemical Permeation Chart, the decision making process becomes a lot easier,” said Mr Thorne.
More articles from Marigold Industrial Ltd: | 
