New standard for better hand protection at work
Many workplaces have strict PPE requirements covering hearing, head and eye protection, and footwear, but hand protection is often overlooked.
This is surprising given the research done by Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit and maternal health services Queensland men aged 14-46 working in construction, manufacturing and mining: Highest risk of hand injuryThis segment accounts for more than half of the total 1,182 hand injuries recorded in the period July 2011 to June 2013.
Choosing quality safety gloves
So, with the myriad of industrial hand protection options on the market today, how do you choose quality gloves that give your employees the protection they need?
Richard Donarski of SAI Global, a leading certification and risk management company, explains:
Looking for the perfect hand protection for the job? Check out our wide range of quality safety gloves.
“But the reality is that many standards are not legislated, so some manufacturers choose not to apply certification to their manufacturing processes. It doesn’t always work as intended.”
Australian and New Zealand certified AS/NZS 2161 occupational protective glove series covers risks and injuries including mechanical hazards, heat, cuts and abrasions, and chemical hazards. These standards are represented by corresponding symbols and numbers stamped on the glove. The higher the number, the higher the protection level.
Anthony Elliott, managing director of Australian-owned PPE manufacturer Elliotts, explains: However, this is not the same as actually being “certified” to the standard, and there is no legislative body that actually regulates these claims. “
Standard certification requirements
To claim certification to the standard, manufacturers must engage an independent certification body such as SAI Global and meet the following:
- All test certificates specified in the applicable standards must have been performed by an accredited, independent, third-party testing laboratory.
- Manufacturing facilities must be audited to ensure that systems and procedures comply with appropriate standards.
- Manufacturing facilities must be audited annually by the same third party.When
- Products should be retested regularly.
Even when choosing certified gloves, it is important to understand that all test samples are taken from the palm of the glove. That is, the certification does not apply to the back of the hand and the sides of the fingers.
Elliott has been manufacturing quality safety equipment for 50 years, but the market has been flooded with countless cheap imports and unreliable products, putting workers at risk.
“We manufacture a wide range of gloves to meet the needs of different industries, taking into account the safety requirements of different applications and tasks.”
Elliotts Mec-Flex and G-Flex glove series are the world’s first gloves certified to Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS2161.3:2005 and CE standard by SAI Global.
inquiry
If you would like to learn more about our safety products or need expert advice on safety gear that suits your needs, feel free to contact Elliott Australia. We are happy to help!call me 07 3265 2944 Or send us a message – here.
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