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THE
ORCBS > Chemical
Safety
> Glove
Guide
>
GUIDELINES
FOR USE OF CHEMICALLY RESISTANT GLOVES
All gloves
are permeable
- Permeation
is a process in which chemicals seep through glove material. This
process does not always leave the glove visibly changed, which
makes understanding the permeation process essential when selecting
gloves
- Breakthrough
is the time lapse between first contact of the chemical and glove
and the time to detection inside the glove.
- Degradation
may cause Such noticeable changes as swelling, discoloration,
hardening or softening
There is
no such thing as the “ideal” chemically resistant glove
- Some
laminate gloves offer protection against a wide range of hazardous
chemicals, there may be limitations in dexterity, tactile sensitivity,
ability to grip when wet, tear and puncture resistance
- Disposable
gloves offer a decreased range of protection against hazardous
chemicals but offer greater dexterity and mobility.
Multiple
gloves can be worn together
- Wearing
one pair of thinner, more dexterous gloves over a flexible laminate
combines the advantage of both.
- When
using this approach, be sure to use the smallest laminate size
that will fit comfortably. This allows the greatest dexterity
when worn under the outside glove.
Reusable
vs. Disposable gloves
Care
of reusable gloves
- Immersion
or prolonged contact is not common for chemical work in the laboratory
- Therefore,
reusable gloves do not need to be replaced very often.
- Inspect
these types of gloves before each use, and replace whenever they
become discolored or show signs of damage.
- Before
reusable gloves are removed, thoroughly rinse them off and allow
to air dry.
Use of
disposable gloves
- Disposable
gloves provide a barrier protection when working with small amounts
of laboratory chemicals
- If
a disposable glove becomes contaminated, remove immediately and
replace with a new glove
- Never
reuse disposable gloves.
Glove Selection
- Disposable:Vinyl,
Latex, Nitrile
- Dry
Powders
- Aqueous
Solutions
- Do
NOT work for solvents/corrosives
- Neoprene
(Black)
- Corrosives,
solvents and alcohols
- Nitrile
(Blue or Green)
- Organic
solvents (non-halogenated)
- puncture
and abrasion resistant
- Nomex
or Zetex
- Temperature
extremes
- Do
NOT use Asbestos
- Butyl
- Aldehydes,
ketones, and esters
- Viton
TM
- Chlorinated
and aromatic solvent
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