Hand protection

Guidance and advice on hand protection including the reduction of latex exposure and glove selection.

Hand protection

Dermal hazards in the chemical laboratory are varied in their presentation; excesses of heat or cold, corrosives, toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, skin irritants, etc. As with all forms of PPE it is important that a rigorous risk assessment is undertaken to ensure that the correct protective glove is supplied and used.

Only wear gloves that you know to be resistant to permeation by the chemical in use and for the type and duration of use e.g. splash contact or immersion contact. Do not assume that, say a general nitrile disposable laboratory glove, will protect against the particular chemicals in use, it may not, different chemicals permeate through differing glove materials at different rates.

In most instances in the chemical laboratory gloves will be worn to protect against accidental splashes rather than to protect against immersion in a liquid chemical, it is also likely that a thin close fitting, laboratory/hospital type, glove will have been chosen to allow for maximum dexterity, this glove type is unlikely to be suitable for prolonged protection against chemicals as they have a fairly high permeation rate, therefore if splash contact occurs the glove should be changed as soon as is practical.

Wearing gloves of the wrong material can be more hazardous than not wearing gloves at all, as if a chemical permeates through the glove material it can be trapped in contact with the skin for a prolonged period. You should always inspect gloves as you don them for small holes or tears.

Disposable gloves should be rinsed before removal as this helps to prevent contamination transfer to the hands on removal. However, bear in mind that some glove material is water permeable e.g. polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), leather, etc.

Reusable gloves must be washed as appropriate before removal to prevent prolonged chemical residue contact and premature degradation. Reusable gloves should be subject to regular inspection and replaced periodically dependent on their permeation and degradation features in respect of the chemical in use.

In order to prevent the unintentional contamination of surfaces that may subsequently be touched by other persons not wearing gloves, gloves must be removed before leaving the laboratory, touching door handles, telephones, pens, books, computer keyboards, etc.

When working with cryogenic materials only proper cryogenic gloves designed for the purpose and conforming to EN511 standard should be used.

Policy for the prevention and control of latex allergy

Latex is classed as a hazardous substance under the COSHH Regulations, therefore if there is a viable and less hazardous alternative to this hazardous substance it must be substituted for the less hazardous option. The use of latex gloves should therefore be avoided wherever possible and in all cases where there exists a viable and practicable alternative to the use of latex gloves the alternative should be utilised. There are a few instances where the use of latex gloves remains the preferred first choice barrier (e.g. handling of blood-borne viruses, cytotoxic drugs, and some biological hazards). In such cases where the use of latex gloves is indicated the following risk reducing measures must be observed;

Only non-powdered latex gloves are to be used, the use of powdered latex gloves is prohibited within this University.

Where powder free latex gloves are used they should be of good quality and have low extractable (leachable) protein content. Ideally this should be <50mg/g (the glove manufacturer/supplier should be able to supply such technical data).

Scope

This Policy applies to the use of latex protective gloves in all Colleges, Schools and Departments of the University, but does not apply to the clinical use of such gloves in premises managed by Lothian University NHS Trust. The use of gloves in such clinical settings comes under the direction of the Trust's Health and Safety Policy. Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust does not allow the use of powdered latex gloves.

Exposure reduction arrangements

Guidance available

The guidance document below details the health hazards of latex exposure as well as ways to prevent developing a latex allergy and should be followed to ensure we do not expose our staff and students to unnecessary risk from latex.

Curbing inappropriate use

In many cases latex is not the most appropriate glove choice for maximum protection from a specific hazard and is often used simply because they are readily available, or because they are the most economic. Appropriate glove choice should be made only after a risk assessment has been undertaken of the hazards present in the work activity, and in the case of chemical hazards, only after reference to a chemical resistance glove guide (see Hand Protection - A Guide to Glove Selection). In all cases where there exists a viable and practicable alternative to the use of latex gloves the alternative should be utilised.

Risk assessment

Risk assessments should include enquiry as to whether an employee, who is to use latex gloves, has any existing allergies or skin complaints (see Guidance for the Prevention of Latex Allergy) that may place them in a higher risk category and predispose them to latex allergy, where more specific control measures may be required (see Health Advice below).

Selection of low allergen latex gloves if appropriate

There are a few instances, according to current scientific knowledge, where the use of latex gloves remains the preferred first choice barrier (e.g. handling of blood-borne viruses, cytotoxic drugs, and some biological hazards). In such cases where the use of latex gloves is indicated the following risk reducing measures must be observed;

1. Only non-powdered latex gloves are to be used, the use of powdered latex gloves is prohibited within this University
2. Where powder free latex gloves are used they should be of good quality and have a low extractable (leachable) protein content. Ideally this should be <50mg/g (the glove manufacturer/supplier should be able to supply such technical data).

Health advice/surveillance

Any member of staff who uses latex gloves and who subsequently develops any skin or respiratory problems must be referred to, or contact, the Health and Safety Department's Occupational Health Services for confidential guidance.

Where there is any concern, perhaps as a result of risk assessment enquiries, that a member of staff may be predisposed to allergic responses as a result of exposure to latex, the Health and Safety Department's Occupational Hygiene Unit should be contacted for confidential guidance.

Reporting and recording procedures

Instances of ill-health, where symptoms indicative of an allergic response to latex (see Guidance for the Prevention of Latex Allergy) are present, and where this response may have been triggered by a work-related exposure, should be reported to the Health and Safety Department's Occupational Health Service via the Ill Health Reporting system.

Anaphylactic Shock

It has been known, but is extremely rare, for exposure to latex to induce an anaphylactic shock in a person who has previously shown no signs of latex allergy, this type of severe and life-threatening response is more often associated with someone who is already sensitised to latex. In the case of anaphylactic shock (impaired breathing, puffy eyes, swelling of tongue, blotchy skin) an ambulance should be called immediately using the emergency 2222 number, and the nearest first aider summoned.