Protective gloves shall be worn where there is reasonable probability of skin contact with irritant or corrosive chemicals or with chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. Protective gloves that provide protection against cuts and abrasions shall be worn when handling sharp, rough or abrasive objects. Gloves that provide thermal insulation shall be worn when hot or very cold objects must be handled. Gloves should be selected on the basis of the materials being handled, the physical conditions that exist, and the requirements of the tasks performed. Before each use, chemical resistant gloves shall be inspected for punctures, tears or other signs of degradation and new gloves used if these conditions are found.
All glove materials are permeable to some extent.
A suitable glove is one that has an acceptably low permeation for the chemical, concentration, and for the degree and duration of contact. Permeation is generally inversely related to glove thickness. Thin cotton gloves worn under rubber gloves improve comfort by absorbing perspiration during prolonged use. They also reduce chances for skin absorption by separating the glove surface and the skin. However, if the cotton lining contacts a hazardous material, it can act as a wick and soak up the hazardous material.