Since many of the chemical products used in a shop can be harmful, the use of proper gloves is strongly recommended when handling these products. Gloves provide a protective barrier between these chemicals and your fingers, hands, and arms. Gloves can also prevent skin cuts and abrasions. Painters should choose the right glove type and size, and immediately change gloves that show signs of wear!

There are many types of gloves on the market made from a variety of materials, for example, rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, viton.

In general, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical resistance, but thick gloves may impair grip and dexterity. Fit is an important requirement, as well as gauntlet lengths.

So, how do you know what type of gloves to use with the wide variety of chemicals you may be exposed to in a collision repair facility?

The first source of information is the chemical supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet. Check the recommendations under the section dealing with Protection Equipment and Exposure Control. For example, paint suppliers recommend the use of gloves made from neoprene, nitrile, or polyvinyl alcohol. So always read the MSDS sheet before handling a chemical product to ensure that you are using the recommended type of glove. In general, latex gloves don't make the grade and are not recommended with paint and coating products, or other chemicals used in a shop.

Practical information can be obtained from the EPA's 2-page brochure "Choosing the right gloves for painting cars"

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/auto/gloves/gloves.pdf