Protection at the cutting edge
July 1st 2009 Cut resistant hand protection is a requirement across a diverse range of industries and there are several high quality products on the market that offer protection.However wrong or inadequate ppe is still frequently specified. James Arrowsmith offers some pointers on choosing the right level of protection.
The range of ppe products on the market can often seem confusing, and it's frequently the case that the wrong glove or an inadequate level of protection is provided.
Key considerations for cut protection applications revolve around the nature of material needing to be handled and/or knives being used. Other important considerations include whether the user needs to handle other items such as food and chemicals, or if the task involves fine manual work.
There are different varieties of gloves available which offer varying combinations of protection, grip and dexterity. Hazards need to be evaluated in each individual case, rather than providing a 'one size fits all' glove, which will not provide the right protection or can have several undesirable knock-on effects, such as users disregarding the gloves as they impede manual dexterity.
Buyers also need to ensure that the gloves they are buying are certified to EN388 standards and that the level of cut resistance is stated. Copy-cat cheap imports which purport to do the same job as branded gloves often don't live up to European standards. As well as the risk that they won't protect adequately, they can also be cheaply made and require replacing more frequently. Polyco tests all its gloves in its UKAS approved laboratory equipped with an ISO Cut Test Machine, which provides the most accurate and reliable measurement of the force required for a blade to slice through the fabric in a specified distance of 20mm.
New knitted gloves made with high tech yarns, can give a high level of comfort and dexterity while delivering cut resistance.
They can often replace heavier, inflexible gloves and are ideal for many applications. However it may be the case that where contact with syringes is likely puncture resistance is also required. Working with an expert partner will help identify the best solution for this particular problem.
Once the right protection has been selected, it's important to ensure that users are kept in step with the protection required for the task and that they don't just grab any old glove that happens to be hanging around. Allowing them to trial the gloves and provide feedback can be a valuable part of the process in helping your employees understand the requirement for PPE and why they should protect their hands.
Users continue to disregard their hands, viewing them as just a tool, and often hand protection is an afterthought. We see situations every day where users are exposing their hands to dangerous situations without an effective barrier, instances which not uncommonly lead to irrevocable damage to individuals and leave employers with steep costs in fines and compensation fees.
James Arrowsmith is business development managerat BM Polyco.
Glove giveaway
Polyco is giving away 30 pairs of its new Dy Flex Plus gloves to HSM readers.
Dy Flex Plus is a high performance seamless knitted glove, which provides resistance to cut, abrasion and tear. The glove gives a snug fit which allows the user to retain maximum dexterity, even for tactile operations, while the open back style allows breathability. This versatile product is designed for metal fabrication, component handling, glass handling and general assembly. Sleeves are available for when additional protection is required.
Users who have tested the product are said to have been impressed with the freedom of movement the glove gives, combined with the security of level 5 cut protection.
To be in with a chance of winning just email reader.enquiries@polyco.co.uk leaving your name, job title and contact details and you will be entered into the prize draw.
The reader giveaway is open to UK residents only. Closing date for entry is 18/09/09. The winners will be drawn after this date and gloves will be dispatched within 28 days after the entry closing date.
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