Hand injuries, which represent approximately 21% of CSST-compensated injuries, affect several professions, including blue collar workers, prison guards, and police officers, who run a high risk of being pricked by contaminated needles. Current standardized test methods do not correctly evaluate the resistance of protective gloves to these punctures and do not take into account the effect of the presence of a hand inside the glove. The aim of this study is to develop a method for characterizing the actual resistance of gloves to puncture by very pointed objects such as needles, with this method later becoming the subject of a standard. It will also determine the degree of dexterity and sensitivity that this protective equipment offers to workers. The data collected will help users choose the puncture-resistant gloves most appropriate for their task, thus promoting their wear and helping to reduce the number of injuries to workers’ hands. These results will be exportable to other activity sectors, including the hospital environment, and will be useful to manufacturers for improving their products.
REFERENCIA
Needlestick Resistance of Protective Gloves: Development of a Test Method. Dolez, P; Soulati, K; Gauvin, C; Lara, J; Vu-Khanh, T. Studies and Research Projects / Technical Guide RG-738, Montréal, IRSST, 2012, 62 pages.
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