Hand and Arm Protection - Fabric and Coated-Fabric Gloves

There are two types of fabric or coated-fabric gloves: cotton flannel gloves and coated fabric gloves. Cotton flannel gloves coated with plastic "transform fabric gloves into general-purpose hand protection offering slip-resistant qualities," while coated fabric gloves "are used for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire rope to handling chemical containers in laboratory operations."

In general, gloves made from cotton or other fabrics will protect against the following:

• Dirt
• Slivers
• Chafing
• Abrasion

However, fabric gloves do not provide enough protection for use with rough, sharp, or heavy materials. In regard to protection against chemical hazards, OSHA encourages employers to "always check with the manufacturer to determine the gloves' effectiveness against the specific chemicals and conditions in the workplace."

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