Note to trainer: Follow this script or use it to help guide you through a 10- to 15-minute tailgate training session for your ag/hort workers. You may photocopy this sheet for your employees’ personal use. However, it may not be published or sold. Bring to your training session samples of the chemical-resistant gloves used in your operation.

TailgaTe Training Tip SheeT® – No. 24

Use and Care of Protective GlovesCopyright 2009

(Continued on back)

Key poinTS:•Chemical-resistant gloves will help protect your hands and

fingers from hazards.•Alwaysreadthematerialsafetydatasheet (MSDS)

and the pesticide label.•Don’twearchemical-resistant gloves that are damaged.

Why protective gloves are important • Withouttheuseofourhandsandfingers,hundredsofsimple

taskssuchastyingourshoelaceswouldbeimpossibletodo. • Yeteachyear,thousandsofworkersseriouslyinjuretheirhands

onthejob.Mostoftheseaccidentsoccurbecauseprotective glovesarenotworn.

• Handlingchemicalsexposesyourhandstocertainhazards. Pesticidesandotherchemicalsmaycause:

– chemicalburns, – dermatitis–askinirritationcausedbyanadversereactiontoa

chemical,or – allergicreactions • Chemical-resistantgloveswillpreventyourhandsfrombeing

damagedbypesticidesorotherchemicals.

Choosing the right type of glove • Glovesaremadeofmanydifferentmaterials.Eventhoughtwogloves

maylookidentical,theymayofferdifferentlevelsofchemicalresistance. • Alwaysreadthematerialsafetydatasheet(MSDS)andthe

pesticidelabel.Thelabelwilltellyoutherightglovetypetowear whilehandlingthepesticide.

Note to trainer: Show trainees samples of the chemical-resistant gloves used in your operation. Tell them when they should be worn.

Warning: Certain materials won’t protect you from hazardous chemicals. Don’t wear leather or cotton gloves when handling chemicals. Don’t wear cotton gloves coated with nitrile or other rubber-type material. Check with your supervisor if you are uncertain about a specific glove’s material.

Editor’snote:OurTailgateTrainingTipSheetsareavailableinSpanishatwww.gemplers.com.

GEMPLER’S® • P.O.Box45800 • Madison,WI53744-5800 • Phone:1-800-382-8473 • www.gemplers.com

Seeourfulllineofsafetysupplies,includingrespirators,eyeandearprotection,coveralls,firstaidandmore.

TailgaTe Training Tip SheeT® – No. 24 (continued)

Use and Care of Protective Gloves

PROTECTIVEGLOVESDO’SANDDON’TS DO: DON’T:

• Choosetherighttypeofprotectiveglove.• Immediatelyremoveyourglovesifpesticidesorother chemicalsgetinthem.

•Washyourhandsthoroughlyandfrequently.

•Removeyourglovesduringhandlingtasks.• Letyourbareskintouchcontaminatedgloves.• Wearleatherorcottongloveswhenhandling chemicals.

Takingcareofchemical-resistant gloves1. Besuretheglovesyouplantowearareclean.Don’ttouchthemif

you’renotsure.Instead,askyoursupervisorforadifferentpair.2. Carefullyinspecttheglovesbeforeyouputthemon.Lookforcracks,

tears,holes,swellingorotherdamage.Chemicalscanpassthrougheventhesmallestpinhole.Ifyouspotanydamage,discardthegloves.

3. Washyourhandswithsoapandwaterbeforeyouputonthegloves.Bandageanyminorcutsorscrapes.

4. Closeeachglovetightlyoutsideofyoursleeve.Ifyouworkwith liquidchemicals,youcansealtheedgeofyourgloveswithheavy-dutytapeoranelasticband.

5. Washtheoutsideofyourgloveswithsoapandwaterbeforeyouremovethem.Alwayswashthemwhenyoutakeabreakand whenyouaredonefortheday.Thenthoroughlywashyourhands.

6. Putyourglovesinthepropercontainerwhenyouare finishedwithyourtaskfortheday.

Afewmoresafetytips • Immediatelyremoveyourglovesifpesticidesorotherchemicals

getinside.Thoroughlywashyourhands,thenputoncleangloves.Reporttheincidenttoyoursupervisor.

• Nevertouchcontaminatedgloveswithbarehands. • Somepeoplearesensitivetolatexgloves.Ifyourhandsitchorfeel

irritatedfromthesegloves,youcansubstituteadifferenttypeofprotectiveglove.Butremember:Leatherorcottonworkgloveswon’tprotectyoufromhazardousmaterials.

• Don’tstoreyourglovesinsideout.Storeglovesinacool,dryplaceawayfromchemicals.

• Wearchemical-resistantglovesthatextendtoatleastthe mid-forearmwhenworkingwithpesticides.

• Shoulder-lengthglovesorgloveswornwithchemical-resistantsleeveguardsareidealformixingandloadinghighlytoxic chemicalsorliquids.

Arethereanyquestions? Note to trainer: Take time to answer trainees’ questions. Then review

the ProtectiveGlovesDo’sandDon’ts.

Never touch contaminated gloves with your bare hands.

Copyright 2009

GEMPLER’S® • P.O.Box45800 • Madison,WI53744-5800 • Phone:1-800-382-8473 • www.gemplers.com

Seeourfulllineofsafetysupplies,includingrespirators,eyeandearprotection,coveralls,firstaidandmore.