PPE

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Can hand protection cause a respiratory hazard? That’s the question scientists from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) set out to answer when they conducted a Health Hazard Evaluation at a steel mill in Pennsylvania.

Whether you’re de-icing a plane in Chicago, or you’re a snow blower in upstate New York, or a commercial fisherman in Alaska or Canada, all outdoor workers must be aware of the risks and dangers associated with cold weather.

Hands are one of the most complex parts of your body. Hand injuries that cause damage to one or all of those inter-meshing parts can make it difficult to do even the most simple tasks.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as work gloves doesn’t immediately spring to mind as a “business enabler” – allowing workers to be more motivated and productive. PPE spend is only one element of investment in health and safety – but it’s an important one.

So what exactly should we be looking for in a "true" winter work glove? Here's how to spot winter hand protection that works – and why it matters.

The recent FDA announcement banning the use of powdered surgical and patient examination gloves in the United States, as well as the absorbable powder used to lubricate these gloves, certainly comes as no surprise.

For those who work outside or in unprotected environments winter can be the most challenging time of the year when it comes to selecting the FR clothing to be worn to work.