Overview of Hand & Foot Personal Protection Equipment
Hand Protection PPE
The selection of appropriate hand PPE is a very important part of workplace safety. Safety gloves are offered in many different types of protective materials. Always complete a hazard analysis before selecting PPE.
- Always use machine guards and do not bypass safety measures.
- Safety gloves & hazard protection:
- Metal mesh - resist sharp objects
- Leather - for rough surfaces
- Vinyl & neoprene - toxic chemicals
- Dielectric rubber - electricity
- Padded cloth - sharp edges, slivers, dirt, and vibration
- Heat resistant - extreme temperatures
- Latex disposable - germs, bacteria, and pathogens
- Lead lined - radiation
- Always wash hands after work operations
Foot Protection PPE
There are many different foot related injuries that can arise on a job site or in a workplace. The following are all injuries and possible hazards that should be assessed before selecting proper foot PPE:
- Impact injuries
- Spills and splashes
- Compression injuries
- Electrical shocks
- Extreme temperatures and moisture
- Slipping
Classifying footwear:
- Metatarsal footwear - protect the entire foot from ankle to toes
- A reinforced sole - will protect the foot from punctures
- Latex and rubber footwear - protects from chemicals and prevents slipping
- PVC footwear - protects against moisture and increases traction
- Butyl - will protect against ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, acids, salts, and alkalies
- Vinyl - protects against solvents, acids, alkalies, salts, water, grease, and blood
- Nitrile - resists animal fats, oils, and chemicals
Always consult government standards for more details.
