Sharps-proof or needlestick gloves are vitally important in safe healthcare waste management.
Gloves should be appropriately sized and fit well. Between use, gloves should be aired, if necessary wiped with a medicated tough wipe, and stored with care as the external surfaces may well be contaminated. Worn or defective gloves must be replaced immediately.
Good quality needlestick gloves are expensive, and in regular use their working life ay be rather limited. So it was a surprise to see an advert on Criagslist for a second hand pair of TurtleSkin Gloves.
What is amazing is the audacity of offering a WORN pair or gloves. More particularly, its only the left hand that has been used for several weeks. It shows signs of wear, but be assured that “the right side is 100% not used”.
Suitable for a one-armed waste handler perhaps? Or just second-hand safety?
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First let me say that utilizing any protective equipment is a step in the right direction towards increasing one’s safety. To the best of my knowledge there are not any manufacturers that currently offer safety-proof gloves. Although there are some that market their product to appear to prevent needle sticks, I do not believe any of them guarantee that punctures won’t happen. They typically state somewhere in a disclaimer that their products are simply needle stick resistant only. So while a user may have an increased level of protection, they need to be fully aware of the products limitations and how they may be affected should they face certain risks. Otherwise gloves can be a false sense of security.
Regarding the resale of protective equipment that is used or partially used, I find this to be alarming to say the least. This person is either ignorant to the potential risks they are placing others or are doing so knowingly which would be absolutely reprehensible behavior. Given the concerns associated with the ways various infectious disease may spread, buyers of protective equipment need to be well aware of the risks they take should they consider making such an unwise purchase. Be smart. Think before acting and most importantly, be safe!
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Good idea, and as you and I have discussed this previously, but “thin” is not immediately reassuring.
A sacrificial outer glove must be impervious; my guess is that most often it will be cheap, and of low quality. That makes it more likely there will be damage and leaks contaminating the inner glove.
Making contamination more likely is the way these gloves are removed and separated. What you are likely to see is guys walking outside for a cig with the gloves in one hand and a cig in the other, or gloves on the dashboard of a vehicle, or stuffed in a pocket.
Subsequently, hands become contaminated and then the inside of the glove pair, as well as the various surfaces on which the gloves has lain.
Ian