Anti-vibration gloves?
For exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV), personal protective equipment is sold in the form of anti-vibration (AV) gloves, but it remains unclear how much these gloves actually reduce vibration exposure or prevent the development of hand-arm vibration syndrome in the workplace. This commentary describes some of the issues that surround the classification of AV gloves, the assessment of their effectiveness and their applicability in the workplace. The available information shows that AV gloves are unreliable as devices for controlling HTV exposures. Other means of vibration control, such as using alternative production techniques, low-vibration machinery, routine preventative maintenance regimes, and controlling exposure durations are far more likely to deliver effective vibration reductions and should be implemented. Furthermore, AV gloves may introduce some adverse effects such as increasing grip force and reducing manual dexterity. Therefore, one should balance the benefits of AV gloves and their potential adverse effects if their use is considered.
Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JN, UK; susan.hewitt@hsl.gsi.gov.uk.
Sue
S
Hewitt
Engineering and Control Technology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Ren G
RG
Dong
Engineering and Control Technology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Daniel E
DE
Welcome
Engineering and Control Technology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Thomas W
TW
McDowell
D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*
anti-vibration gloves; hand-arm vibration; hand-arm vibration syndrome; hand-transmitted vibration; personal protective equipment