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Employees’ hands can be exposed to many hazards, including skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. OSHA requires employers to protect employees from these hazards. In some cases, guards on a machine can provide the protection. However, in many cases, workers must wear hand protection, such as specialty gloves, finger guards and arm coverings, or elbow-length gloves.
OSHA’s hand protection standard applies to all General Industry employers who have employees whose hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes.
Employers must: