Nine Myths About Disposable Safety GlovesFatality Narrative: Cellular Tower Crew Foreman Killed in Fall from Antenna Mast
OSHA UpdatesBBQ SafetyCURT and CISE Awards Call for Entries
Natural latex is not the only glove material that can cause allergies.
Disposable nitrile, natural latex, and vinyl gloves, often referred to as thin-mil gloves, are used in a variety of distinct applications. Understanding the truths about glove performance is important in selecting the right glove for each application.
One of the most common misconceptions about disposable gloves is that more texture results in better grip. In fact, texture has very little effect on grip. It is possible to make an extremely textured glove with low grip and a smooth-surfaced glove with high grip.
Surface treatment is the most significant factor in the grip level of a glove. Natural latex is inherently sticky, or tacky, much like glue. Without proper processing, natural latex sticks together like a large ball of adhesive. To reduce this tack, the surface must be treated. The most common surface treatments are surface chlorination and coating. Chlorination changes the surface properties and creates a hard, lower-tack shell around the glove. Coating technology adds a new, lower-tack layer to the glove.
Reality: Surface tack, or grip, can be controlled by the level of chlorination or the characteristics of the coating.
Throughout use, gloves can develop holes due to degradation and wear. According to one study, after only 12 minutes of simulated clinical use, natural latex and vinyl glove defect rates increased to 9 percent and 35 percent, respectively. Without proper curing and cross-linking, nitrile can swell and develop holes or defects over time. Failure is commonly observed in the crotch between the thumb and forefinger.
In addition to formulation and process, use factors, such as average wear time and application, affect the inuse defect rate. Buyers should consider the potential defect rate increase and the risk imposed. They should ask their glove suppliers for supporting studies on in-use testing. Buyers and users can perform a representative test themselves by wearing a pair of new, tight-fitting gloves for the prescribed use time and then removing and filling the gloves with water to see whether a hole developed.
Reality: Gloves degrade during use.
Glove suppliers frequently claim glove composition of “100%” of the respective materials. Without additives, it is practically impossible to produce a usable glove of any of these materials. Adding curatives, cross-link agents, and accelerators to nitrile and natural latex is essential to making a strong, durable glove. Vinyl requires plasticizers and activation agents. Surfactants, which help with film formulation, are another additive found in most gloves. Formulations typically require 4-10 percent of additives to make a good glove.
Reality: Claims of “100%” nitrile, natural latex, or vinyl are not accurate.
Fillers are used broadly in gloves. Most manufacturers use or have the ability to use fillers to help reduce the cost of making a glove. Fillers are often difficult, but possible, to detect through advanced technologies such as Thermal Gravimetric Analysis.
Fillers help to reduce the cost of a glove and, up to certain amounts, actually can improve specific performance characteristics. For example, tear strength is significantly improved in natural latex gloves when a moderate amount of calcium carbonate is added. The key word is “moderate.” Fillers up to about 15 percent are tolerable; anything above that can become detrimental to the performance and quality of the glove in use. Some manufacturers have experimented with up to 50 percent filler, with limited success.
Reality: When used in moderation, fillers can improve certain disposable glove performance characteristics.
Glove-related allergies are a primary concern to many glove users. The belief that glove-related allergies are caused only by natural latex is a common one. Latex allergies are the most serious glove allergies because they can be systemic and cause anaphylactic shock. Latex allergies are also the most common type of glove allergies.
Some users confuse chemical allergies with latex allergies. There are often components in both nitrile and vinyl gloves that can elicit a chemical allergy. For example, nitrile gloves, like natural latex gloves, often use carbamates or thiazoles, which can cause a skin allergy. Certain vinyl gloves use activation agents that can also cause skin allergies. In all cases, the less a glove is washed, the more chemical residue is available for potential contact to the user. Users should consult their physician if they suspect an allergy to gloves.
Reality: Natural latex is not the only glove material that can cause allergies.
Surface treatment is the most common way to remove powder from a glove. Two types of surface treatment are chlorination and the addition of a wax or polymer coating. Chlorination is the traditional process and requires gloves to be washed prior to packing. The washing process is designed to rid the gloves of residual chemicals.
Wax and polymer coatings allow a glove manufacturer to “strip and pack,” avoiding the chlorination and washing process. Wax and polymer coatings can leave residual chemicals that have not been properly washed. Though not always harmful, the residual chemicals can contribute to skin sensitivity or process contamination.
Reality: The process of making a glove “powder-free” can leave residual chemicals on the glove.
As discussed in myth #6, powder is removed from gloves by chlorination or coating treatment. The treatment type, or lack thereof, can affect the chemical resistance properties of the glove. For example, natural latex gloves achieve better overall chemical resistance when chlorinated. Chlorination changes the surface properties and creates a hard shell around the glove. This “plasticized” shell has proper ties slightly different from natural rubber and provides additional chemical resistance that would otherwise not be available. On the downside, over-chlorination can damage gloves, making them brittle and unusable.
Reality: Latex gloves varies from glove to glove.
Disposable gloves come in several different material types. The most common types are made from nitrile, natural latex, and vinyl. Each of these types is based on commodity raw materials with price fluctuations that depend on specific market factors. In general, nitrile is often considered premium to latex, which in turn is often considered premium to vinyl. The fact is that materials are not equal in performance in all applications. Nitrile has better puncture resistance of the three and resists more chemicals overall, including oils and solvents. Latex has better tear resistance, often fits better, and provides better dexterity. Vinyl has the best electrostatic dissipation properties and resists sulfuric acid better than nitrile or latex.
Even within the same material, there are significant differences from manufacturer to manufacturer. Other factors influencing glove performance are raw materials, formulation, process, and washing. These vary significantly from glove to glove and can result in performance differences in most applications. Typically, standards for the different materials also are not harmonized. ASTM exam glove standards have different tensile strength requirements for latex, nitrile, and vinyl. Vinyl has the most relaxed strength requirement, followed by nitrile, while latex has the highest tensile strength requirement of the three.
Reality: Multiple factors affect the performance of a disposable glove.
One of the biggest mistakes made by disposable glove buyers is buying based solely on price. The overall value of a glove is much more complicated than just the price of a box. In addition to price, buyers should consider durability in the application, safety risks, and productivity.
Many gloves are not properly formulated or processed. They are often under-cured and do not last long in application. Medical exam applications consume the majority of the disposable gloves produced globally and nurses, the largest users, typically wear a single pair of gloves for only a few minutes before discarding and replacing for each patient. On the other hand, many industrial applications require 2-4 hours of continuous use of a single pair of gloves. This extended length of time stresses the glove longer and can lead to failures in a glove that would not normally happen during a short, routine medical exam. For longer use times, it is important to choose a glove that is properly formulated and processed to withstand the application. A 10 percent savings can quickly be negated by a glove that lasts only half the time.
Productivity is another very important factor when considering the savings of one glove over another. Often, workers will be more productive with gloves that fit well, have good grip, and lower hand stress. In addition, beware of lower-quality gloves that fail, causing injury and the resulting cost associated with workplace accidents. Productivity and prevention are important factors when considering the economics of glove use.
Reality: Many factors determine the “value” of a disposable glove.
Choosing the right glove type or source is not as simple as reviewing a specification or buying at the lowest price. A number of critical factors should be considered. Understanding the truths about glove performance is important in selecting the right glove for each application.
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Industry: Power & communication line & related structures construction
Task: Replacing cellular antennas on mast mounted on building roof
Occupation: Foreman
Type of Incident: Fall
Release Date: June 16, 2010
On September 12, 2008, a cellular tower construction crew foreman was killed when he fell from a cellular tower mast to the roof 24 feet below. The 33-year-old victim was employed as a crew foreman by a company that erects and maintains cellular towers. He had three years experience in the industry and was supervising a crew of five workers to replace a series of antennas on a mast located on the roof of an elevator housing on top of a building. The victim and his crew began their shift at 10 pm. A previous crew that had done prep work for the job. The crew was working by lights from their head lamps. At about midnight, the victim and a coworker climbed onto the mast to begin work when the victim fell to the roof below. He was not wearing fall protection.
Requirements
- Develop a written fall prevention plan. See WAC 296-155-24505.
- Identify potential fall hazards prior to each project and during daily walk-around. See WAC 296-155-24505.
- Employers should ensure that tower erectors are adequately trained to identify fall hazards and the proper use of fall protection. See WAC 296-155-24505.
- A competent person must train workers on fall protection basics, as well as the specific fall protection situations and equipment for their project. See WAC 296-155-24510.
Recommendations
- Employers need to make proper protective equipment a mandatory part of the job.
- Employers need to develop and promote policies that empower employees to report and correct unsafe and hazardous activities.
- Work on towers or at elevation should be restricted during low light, poor weather, or other hazardous conditions.
State Wide Statistics: This was number 46 out of 72 work-related fatalities in Washington State during 2008, and was number 13 out of 18 construction-related fatalities.
~Dept. of Labor & Industries SHARP - Research for Safe Work
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OSHA Penalty Increases
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has increased employer fines. Under the agency’s revised penalty calculation system, the fine for a serious violation has increased from “approximately $1,000 to an average of $3,000 to $4,000.” In addition, OSHA plans to review the past five years of a company’s enforcement history when assessing fines, an expansion of the agency’s previous three-year review policy. Visit the
Dept. of Labor's Website for more information.
OSHA Nationwide Averages *The following numbers are based on the first quarter of OSHA’s fiscal year (October 2009-September 2010.)
Increase Inspections by 2.8 times. On pace to conduct 109,000 inspections - vs. a five year average of 39,000 inspections.
Increase total violations cited by 2.8 times. The typical big inspections months are still ahead.
Egregious penalties issued in the first quarter are approximately three times the average of the last 10 years. More than likely due to last year’s change in how OSHA can cite regarding Training and PPE violations.
On pace to increase Significant Cases by 200 percent over the last five year average (those cases identified by OSHA as repeat and willful offenders).
OSHA’s - Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA):
Raises the ceiling on OSHA fines
Increases criminal penalties and criminal liability for employers that knowingly endanger workers
Expands the rights of workers and victim’s families
Strengthens whistleblower provisions
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By The Evergreen Safety Council
Summer is here and a lot of us will be going out to the backyard to cook up some BBQ. Before you do, take a look at these safety tips:
Before using your grill, check it thoroughly for leakage or any type of damage. Avoid using a cracked grill. Carefully check for any wear and tear of the tubes connected to the burners. Always be prepared for any fires with a fire extinguisher. If possible, keep a person in charge of the fire at all times. Don’t wear loose clothing which might catch fire.
Never barbecue inside your house, garage, trailer, tents or any type of enclosed area: grills are designed for outdoor use only. The carbon monoxide fumes may accumulate and kill.
Read the manual carefully and follow all the safety restrictions. Grills (gas or charcoal) and smokers all have very specific ranges of operation. You need to know these before you light up.
Keep the grill stable to avoid tipping. Place your grill over a flat surface; not over steep or sloping surfaces.
Be sure that all electrically-operated accessories are properly grounded. Electrical cords should be placed away from walkways or anywhere people can trip over them.
Never start a propane grill with the lid closed. Gas can accumulate and when the grill is ignited may cause an explosion. Always shut off the propane fuel at the bottle after you finished barbecuing. Otherwise, this can lead to fire hazards, such as leaks and faulty regulators.
Due to the production of carbon monoxide when charcoal is burned, charcoal grills should not be used inside homes, vehicles, tents, or campers, even if ventilation is provided. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless so you will not be alerted to the danger until it is too late.
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Each year, the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) recognizes industry firms’ commitment to safety, education and training through its Workforce Development and Construction Industry Safety Excellence (CISE) Awards. ABC members, chapters and affiliates have a rich history of winning these prestigious competitions.
To continue this tradition, read on for more information on how to participate in the 2010 CURT awards program.
Workforce Development Awards
This award recognizes innovative training and education programs that either encourage individuals to pursue a career in the construction industry or enhance an individual’s construction skills.
All ABC chapters and members may apply directly to CURT. (It is no longer necessary to send the application to ABC National.) The deadline is July 30.
For more information and to download an application, visit http://www.curt.org/awards/workforce.html. Contact Todd Staub at staub@abc.orgor (703) 812-2003 with questions.
CISE Awards
This award—which is divided into categories for general building, heavy construction and special trade—recognizes contractors’ long-term commitment to jobsite safety performance that exceeds industry standards. It is similar to the ABC National Safety Excellence Award.
2009 and 2010 STEP Platinum recipients are eligible to apply. Applications are first due to ABC National, which will review and forward eligible entries to CURT. The deadline to send applications to ABC is July 2.
For more information and to download an application, visit http://www.curt.org/awards/cise_constructor.html. Email completed entries to Chris Williams at cwilliams@abc.org.
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