1910.138 — Hand Protection: Two thumbs up for safe hands!

Your hands are your greatest tools on the job, and OSHA 1910.138 ensures they stay in top condition. Hand protection isn’t just a box to check—it’s the shield that keeps your team safe from some of the toughest hazards out there.

Gloves aren’t just about compliance—they’re about confidence. With the right gloves, your workers can tackle sharp edges, extreme temperatures, and hazardous chemicals, knowing their hands are protected and ready for anything.

Here’s what 1910.138 covers when it comes to hand protection:

• Scope: Part of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, specifically under Personal Protective Equipment.

• Standard Number: 1910.138 – Hand protection.

• General Requirements:

  Employers must provide appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as:

  • Skin absorption of harmful substances

  • Severe cuts or lacerations

  • Severe abrasions

  • Punctures

  • Chemical burns

  • Thermal burns

  • Harmful temperature extremes

• Selection Criteria:

  Employers must choose hand protection based on:

  • Performance characteristics

  • Task(s) to be performed

  • Present conditions

  • Duration of use

  • Identified hazards and potential hazards

Think of your gloves like the perfect tool for the job—just as Cinderella needed the perfect slipper, your team needs gloves that fit their tasks perfectly. Protecting their hands means protecting your company’s most valuable resource: your people. Investing in the right gloves isn’t just smart—it’s essential to keeping the job safe and your team’s productivity soaring.

Are your workers equipped with the right gloves? Hand injuries can halt productivity and compromise safety. Reach out to us today for a comprehensive glove audit to ensure your workers are wearing the proper gloves

This blog was written by Brandy Zadoorian, CSP, and Triangle Safety Consulting LLC's Owner and Principal Consultant.

She offers audits, expertise, resources, and guidance to help small to medium-sized manufacturing facilities improve their safety program, including compliance with OSHA Requirements.

She is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) under the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.