OSHA Interpretation for Petroleum and Latex Gloves

  • Written by admin
  • September 22, 2012 at 7:11 pm
  • In regards to the use of petroleum products in conjunction with latex gloves, as it applies to the practice of tattooing- This constitutes OSHA’s interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated within the original correspondence.

    The standard at 29 CFR 1910.1030 (d)(3) requires that “appropriate personal protective equipment” be used where there is “occupational exposure,” i.e., reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

    Personal protective equipment, like gloves, is “appropriate” only if it does not permit blood or OPIM to pass through to or reach the employee’s clothing or skin, eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of the One when the protective equipment mill be used. During the rule making process, it was brought to OSHA’s attention that significant deterioration of latex gloves was noted when exposed to petroleum-based lubricants. (See 56 Federal Register 6419, December 6, 1991.) The OSHA instruction for the enforcement of the standard (CPL 2-2.69) also noted that petroleum-based hand creams can adversely affect glove integrity.

    Based on the text of the standard and this information, it is OSHA’s position that if latex gloves are used, employees must not apply petroleum-based products to their own or others skin, if contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) could be reasonably anticipated.

    TO assure adequate protection for their employees, employers must choose either non-petroleum=based lubricants which will not compromise the integrity of the gloves, or gloves which will not be affected by the petroleum-based products being used. If employers wish to continue the use of petroleum-based products, then nitrile or synthetic gloves would be a much safer choice. Also, employers choosing to change their lubricant to one that is non-petroleum-based mill need to consult with the manufacturer to ensure its product is compatible with the gloves being used.