Hand Safety and Glove Selection
29 CFR 1926.95 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Cuts, crushes, punctures, and cement burns can happen to your hands on any job. OSHA requires protective gear for hands and arms wherever the work can hurt them, and that gear must be made for the task and fit the worker. The quick jobs count too, because those are the ones that bite.
Hazards
- ⚠ Cuts from blades, sheet metal, banding, and box knives
- ⚠ Pinch and crush points in material handling and equipment
- ⚠ Punctures from nails, wire, and rebar ties
- ⚠ Chemical burns from cement, adhesives, and solvents
- ⚠ Degloving from rings and jewelry caught on material
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Match the glove to the task: cut-resistant for blades and metal, leather for rough material, chemical-resistant for solvents and wet cement.
- ✓ Inspect gloves at the start of the shift; replace them once they are torn or soaked through.
- ✓ Take rings and jewelry off before handling material or working near rotating tools.
- ✓ Never put your hand where you cannot see it: behind material, into pockets of debris, under loads.
- ✓ Use the right tool, not your hand: pry bars for separating, push sticks for saws, magnetic holders for nails.
- ✓ Keep a cut kit or first aid supplies where the crew actually works, not locked in the truck.
What the OSHA standard says
Exact words from the official text, with a link to each paragraph.
“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”
“Employers must ensure that all personal protective equipment: (1) Is of safe design and construction for the work to be performed; and (2) Is selected to ensure that it properly fits each affected employee.”
“The employer must pay for replacement PPE, except when the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE.”
“Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other harmful substances shall be instructed regarding the safe handling and use, and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and personal protective measures required.”
Site check before the talk
Walk the site and tick each line. Each line comes from the text quoted above.
- ☐Wear hand protection wherever the work can hurt your hands, and keep gloves clean and in good shape. (29 CFR 1926.95(a))
- ☐Pick a glove made for the task in front of you, in a size that fits your hands. (29 CFR 1926.95(c))
- ☐Swap worn out or torn gloves for new ones; the employer pays for replacement PPE unless it was lost or damaged on purpose. (29 CFR 1926.95(d)(5))
- ☐Before you handle cement, adhesives, or solvents, know the hazards and the protection you need to wear. (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(3))
Quotes checked word for word against the official eCFR text on October 5, 2026. This is a summary for a crew talk, not legal advice; the full official text governs. How we check
Crew discussion questions
- Which tasks today need cut-resistant gloves instead of standard leather?
- Where are the pinch points in what we are lifting or setting today?
- Is anyone wearing rings around material handling or rotating equipment?
- Where is the first aid kit right now?
Applicable OSHA standards
29 CFR 1926.95
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