• Employers must provide PPE to protect workers’ hands from cuts, burns, and chemical exposure.
• Employers must train employees to recognize the specific hazards their employees may be exposed to.
• Employers must train employees on proper use, care and maintenance of whichever type of hand protection they will use.

Employers with employees who could be exposed to hazards to the hands must provide hand protection.

Hand protection is extremely important in construction work, as employees can be exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, or harmful temperature extremes.

There isn’t a specific Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) construction rule requiring hand protection. However, OSHA does require at 1926.95(a) that “Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary ... ”

In addition, 1926.21(b)(2) requires, “The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.”

Training, maintenance, and inspection requirements

Employers must train their employees on recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions in the workplace. This includes training employees on how to control or eliminate hand-related hazards. In addition, employers must train their employees on how to properly select, use, and care for personal protective equipment.

Employers must also train employees on the various types of hand protection available on the jobsite and their various uses. In addition, employers should instruct employees on when they must care for their PPE, including how to inspect and maintain the equipment, to protect themselves from injury.