Synthetics protect better than leather

Ansell Occupational Healthcare’s Jerome Feuvrier said, “One of the biggest myths about leather work gloves is that they offer a significant level of cut protection. Despite their thickness, leather is just skin and can be cut as easily as human skin, especially when it is wet or covered with oil.
“Despite safety awareness of people whose livelihood depends on their hands, many will risk injury because of these ‘tools’. Because of discomfort, dexterity or lack of tactile sensation, many people remove leather gloves to adjust machinery or carry out tasks made more difficult by wearing them,” he said.
Some employers unwittingly ignore the risk to staff, and their productivity, by issuing leather gloves that only provide minimal protection and poor tactile performance.
Ansell reckons organisations often protect computer data, tools and other material assets, better than precious human assets like fingers. The former can be replaced or repaired easily if damaged.
“So the availability of cost-effective, high technology hand protection, made from superior man made materials, make sense for protecting one’s most valuable asset,” Feuvrier said.

Explore The total cost of ownership in a toolbox session at the Civil Contractors Federation’s national conference in Perth from October 21 to 25. www.civilcontractors.com/nationalconference