Glove Selection Guide

A. Base selection of glove type and material on the type of exposure and nature of the hazard. Some chemicals can easily penetrate gloves that work very well for other chemicals.

Consider these factors:

·        Chemical type

·        Temperature extremes, cryogenic properties

·        Physical hazards (sharps, piercing objects)

·        pH

·        Toxicity

·        Infectious potential of biological hazards

B. Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for each chemical involved.

A. Incidental contact (little or no direct contact with the hazardous material) includes these situations:

·        Accidental spills or splashes

·        Accidental overspray from a dispensing device

·        Handling infectious agents that require barrier protection

·        To prevent contamination of materials during handling

If you will have incidental contact, go to Step 3.

B. Extended contact includes these situations:

·        Handling highly contaminated materials

·        Submerging hands in a chemical or other hazardous substance

·        Need for physical protection from temperature extremes or sharp/piercing objects

If you will have extended contact, go to Step 4.

A. Disposable, surgical-type gloves are appropriate for incidental contact.

B. Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex because of their chemical resistance, their tendency to visibly rip when punctured, and to prevent possible latex allergies.

See the Glove Selection Chart below for advantages and disadvantages of commonly used surgical-type gloves.

C. Disposable glove usage:

·        Check for rips or punctures before use.

·        Remove and replace gloves immediately with new ones when a chemical spills or splashes on them.

·        Never wash or reuse disposable gloves.

·        Always remove gloves before touching common objects such as doorknobs, phones, or elevator buttons.

A. More substantial gloves are required for extended use.

Norfoil gloves are recommended for highly toxic materials and materials that are absorbed through the skin.

See the Glove Selection Chart below for advantages and disadvantages of commonly used gloves for extended contact.

B. Reusable glove usage: Many gloves intended for extended contact are reusable.

·        Check the gloves for:

     -       Rips or punctures before and after each use,

     -       Prior contamination, and

     -       Signs of degradation (change in color or texture).

          ·                  Replace gloves as soon as signs of degradation appear.

          ·                  Wash after removal and air dry.

          ·                  Consider wearing inner surgical gloves for extra protection.

Follow the appropriate guidelines below:

·        No contamination: Place in regular trash.

·        Chemical contamination: Ensure you review the SDS for proper disposal. Gloves with many types of chemical contamination can be disposed of in regular trash. 

·        Biohazardous materials: Gloves contaminated with biohazards must be disposed as biohazardous waste. This is normally a red bag labeled as biohazard. 

·        ALWAYS wash your hands after removing gloves.