There is a critical link between worker safety and food safety, and nowhere is this more apparent than with the human hand—the primary point of interaction between workers and the products they make.
Nelson-Jameson recently hosted a panel of safety and PPE experts from Ansell, along with its own specialists. Together, they discussed the "domino effect" of hand injuries, the latest innovations in glove technology, and the strategic importance of hazard analysis in food manufacturing facilities.
Watch on demand: Check out the full recording to learn more about innovative hand protection and hazard analysis.
A major challenge in hand protection is the "Goldilocks dilemma". If a glove is too thick, it causes hand muscle fatigue and reduces dexterity, leading workers to double-glove or lose focus; if a glove is too thin, it leads to injuries. Finding the "just right" fit is essential because distraction caused by pain or discomfort often leads to mistakes.
It was emphasized that worker safety is food safety, outlining the "domino effect". A cut on the line is not just an OSHA reportable incident; it becomes an immediate food safety liability regarding biological contaminants entering the food supply. Furthermore, glove failure poses a risk of foreign material control, where fragments of the glove itself could end up in the product.
To address these challenges, manufacturers like Ansell are investing heavily in R&D to address market trends such as multi-hazard protection and touchscreen compatibility. It was noted that comfort is subjective, so R&D teams now use five specific tests to quantify it, measuring factors like palm thickness, stiffness, and moisture vapor transmission.
The panel highlighted several innovations designed to improve compliance and productivity:
Dual Protection: Solutions can offer both broad-range chemical protection and cut protection in a single glove, addressing the specific mixed hazards found in food plants.
To truly optimize a PPE program, the panel recommended utilizing a formal hazard analysis, such as the AnsellGUARDIAN program. It was explained that these assessments involve walking through the plant and talking directly to employees to understand their daily challenges.
During these assessments, experts often uncover hidden threats, including:
Beyond safety, these assessments help simplify procurement. Facilities often stock too many SKUs, leading to confusion about which glove to use for which task. A proper analysis can reduce a glove portfolio by up to 25%, making procurement easier and ensuring cross-functional standardization.
Hazard analysis services are a complementary tool to help maximize safety and compliance. Whether you need to address chemical risks, reduce hazards, or consolidate inventory, Nelson-Jameson and Ansell can help you start the journey toward a safer, more efficient facility.