OSHA Regulations on Gloves

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a federal agency that enforces and administers legislation regarding safety and health in the United States. As part of OSHA's regulations employees are required to wear gloves when their hands may be exposed to harmful substances, when they may come in contact with infectious materials or when gloves are needed to protect the skin from burns, cuts or other physical damage.

Employee Requirements

• If an employee may be exposed to potential health hazards through the normal course of his work, he must wear gloves under OHSA guidelines. For example, gloves are required any time an employee works with chemicals or infectious materials, such as blood and body tissues. Employees must also wear gloves if they are working in harmful extreme temperatures or if there is a risk of injury to the skin, such as burns or lacerations, if gloves are not worn.

Employer Requirements

• Employers are required to provide their employees with appropriate protection, including gloves, at no cost to the employee when the job requires gloves to be worn for safety. Employers must also pay for replacement protection equipment unless the employee intentionally damages or loses it. For example, if an employee must wear gloves to work in a hospital and the gloves become ripped, the employer must furnish the employee with a new pair of gloves.

Medical Requirements

• OSHA requires that medical professionals change their gloves between sessions with patients and discard gloves when they become sticky, torn, punctured or otherwise contaminated.

Other Considerations

• Many states have additional regulations with respect to employee safety and glove use on the job. Your state may have additional requirements regarding the use of disposable gloves. Contact the Department of Labor in your state for more information.