selecting the right acid-resistant gloves

When you’re working in a high-risk environment like a factory, operating heavy machinery and other high-range equipment, it’s more than likely that you’ll encounter a risk of getting injured and that risk can multiply tenfold when it comes to dealing with hazardous substances like acid. Hence, you need to use proper protective equipment, like gloves, etc. to keep yourself away from injuries that can hinder your productivity and overall health. This blog will provide you with all the necessary details you need to find the right acid-resistant gloves.

But before you choose an acid-resistant glove, you need to be aware of the kind of chemical being used to select the right material. Different glove materials react differently to chemicals, and the chemical compatibility of each glove varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. And the kind of glove you select depends upon the manufacturer’s data on glove testing. These tests are scored based on three different criteria:

Degradation

This is the process in which the physical properties of a glove start to change. These include wrinkling, swelling, stiffness, color change, etc. The degradation test determines how well a material is capable of holding up against any acids or other chemicals. There is no standardized test to check this, but continuous exposure to chemicals determines the degradation rate for many manufacturers.

Breakthrough

This refers to the time between the exposure of a chemical or acid at one side of the glove and its appearance at the other side of the glove. This test is done as per the ASTM F739 Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous Contact. The higher the result recorded, the longer it indicates it will take for the chemical to penetrate the other side of the glove material.

Permeation

Permeation refers to the time a chemical takes to pass through a glove material. This involves absorption on the glove surface, diffusion of chemicals through the material, and desorption on the inside surface of the glove.

Choosing the Right Acid Resistant Gloves Depends on Hazard Assessment

Even after performing all the right tests to assess the level of protection a glove can provide, it all comes down to matching the right kind of material with the risks any task entails. OSHA states the following standards when it comes to chemical protective gloves:

  • Appropriate hand protection must be worn when hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts, lacerations or abrasions, punctures, chemical or thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes.
  • Employers must base the selection of appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and potential hazards identified.

This standard further makes it compulsory for a glove material to be matched with the kind of task a person is participating to perform. This hazard assessment is done by an expert who is aware of the kind of job that’s to be performed and what kind of acids a person will come into contact with during that period. Some following factors help in choosing the right acid resistant gloves.

  1. Thickness:
    Thicker gloves have a better resistance level than thinner gloves. While thinner gloves provide better flexibility, they can’t do much when it comes to hazardous material like acids. Glove manufacturers state that increasing the thickness of gloves generally increases their breakthrough time for an acid to manipulate the glove material. If you’re looking for high-quality, thick leather gloves to deal with acid-exposure, visit ELC for a variety of options.
  2. Length:
    It’s also important to count the length of the glove a worker is wearing. For deep tank cleaning of acidic materials, gloves as long as 31 inches can be required. For easier tasks, gloves can be 14 inches long.
  3. Finishes and Lining:
    Gloves also have different linings and finishes. Textured finishes provide for better grip whereas different forms of lining can help in different tasks. If you’re looking for different finishes and linings of leather gloves, ELC is a good place to start looking.

This was our guide for you to select the right acid resistant gloves. Remember that each task has different requirements hence you need different kinds of gloves for better hand protection at the appropriate time. If you need more information regarding this or any other topic, visit Elite-Leather Creations.

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