ABSTRACT
Gloves protect workers from many different occupational hazards. In health care, gloves are integral to standard precautions, reducing the potential for cross-contamination and pathogen transmission. Although not designed for chemical resistance, medical gloves may also be used to protect health-care workers’ hands from antineoplastic drugs, infection control agents, and other chemicals. In the food industry, gloves are also used to prevent disease transmission. In occupations as disparate as computer manufacturing, cosmetology, housekeeping, and various laboratory sciences, gloves can insulate workers from a variety of chemical hazards, or isolate the product (e.g., food, lab specimens, and electronic components) from potential human contamination. The livelihood of many of these workers depends on their ability to successfully wear and use gloves while performing various job functions.
