Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NIOSH recommends employers take the following steps to protect workers from latex exposure and allergy in the workplace:
- Provide workers with non-latex gloves to use when there is little potential for contact with infectious materials (for example, in the food service industry).
- Appropriate barrier protection is necessary when handling infectious materials. If latex gloves are chosen, provide reduced protein, powder-free gloves to protect workers from infectious materials.
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are considered an acceptable, and in many cases, a preferable alternative to latex gloves. They should be powder-free, particularly in healthcare and food handling settings, to mitigate potential health risks associated with powdered gloves. This is due to several key factors that address the limitations and concerns associated with latex gloves, especially for individuals with latex allergies or sensitivities.
Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber that offers a comparable level of protection against contaminants and chemicals as latex gloves. However, they have the added advantage of being latex-free, thereby eliminating the risk of allergic reactions. This makes nitrile gloves an essential option in healthcare settings, laboratories, and industries where skin sensitivity to latex is a concern.
They tend to provide superior resistance to punctures and chemicals than latex gloves, offering enhanced durability and protection for the wearer.
Given these attributes, nitrile gloves are not only an acceptable alternative to latex gloves but are often recommended for their hypoallergenic properties, durability, and chemical resistance.
Powdered Gloves Banned
The FDA has banned powdered gloves based on the unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to individuals exposed to the powdered gloves: Banned Devices; Powdered Surgeon's Gloves, Powdered Patient Examination Gloves, and Absorbable Powder for Lubricating a Surgeon's Glove .
To identify FDA-cleared medical gloves, search the 510K Premarket Notification database using the FDA’s product codes for glove types.
No matter which control methods are used, it's important to evaluate current prevention strategies whenever a worker is diagnosed with latex allergy, and provide the necessary controls to mitigate future risk.
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1-11. What type of glove is acceptable when there is little potential for contact with infectious materials?
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