Disposable Gloves » Regulatory Compliance

OSHA Training Video: Donning and Doffing Respirators

Michael Prather — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:09:24 +0000

This training video, produced by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, shows proper procedures for donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) all types of respirators.

OSHA Training Video: Facemasks vs. respirators

Michael Prather — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:59:56 +0000

Published by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration in December, this new training video clarifies the differences between facemasks and respriators.

OSHA, NIOSH budgets increase as part of appropriations bill

Lindsay Nemastil — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:05:43 +0000

President Obama has approved legislation to increase the budgets to two of the key government agencies responsible for ensuring occupational safety. The appropriations bill, signed into law in December, will increase 2010 OSHA and NIOSH budgets by 8% and 5%, respectively. According to Safety + Health magazine, the agencies expect to use the additional funds to hire compliance officers and expand pandemic flu preparedness.

Latex production improves, but supplies still slow to market

Lindsay Nemastil — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:08:48 +0000

Months after first beginning their climb, natural rubber latex prices continue to hover near record levels set earlier this month closing at 742 sen/kg Thursday (Source: Malaysian Rubber Board). Despite improved production, supplies have been slow to reach the market in recent weeks as dealers hold stock in anticipation of higher prices.

Driving the higher prices:

- Weakened supplies due to lower winter season production
- Stronger than anticipated global economic recovery
- Increased demand from the Chinese automotive industry
- Rising crude oil prices

FDA: 200+ medical glove manufacturers now in detention

Michael Prather — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:14:53 +0000

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), a part of of the Food and Drug Administration, issued an import alert January 4 following determination that the many foreign glove manufacturers have “failed to consistently provide medical gloves of adequate quality”. According to the alert, more than 200 glove manufacturers are currently in detention; of those, 16 are in Level 2 and 12 are in Level 3 detention.

When inspected medical gloves fail to meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) upon FDA inspection, the manufacturer is placed in one of three levels of detention whereby any shipment may be detained by the FDA without physical examination. Repeat offenders face escalating levels of detention, with each level requiring additional evidence of compliance in order to be removed from the list. In Levels 1 and 2, manufacturers must provide consecutive independent lab test results confirming that their medical gloves are not adulterated for removal consideration. Removal from Level 3 detention also requires independent audits or FDA inspection.

We applaud the FDA for its continued efforts to ensure the safety of those whom rely on medical gloves for protection.

Medical Glove Refusals Stabilize

Michael Prather — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:29:55 +0000

FDA refusals of examination gloves appear to have leveled off as none of the three major types of disposable examination gloves experienced a major increase or decrease from the previous month.

FDA examination glove refusals sink to six month lows

Michael Prather — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:28:21 +0000

Following a record number of container refusals this summer, FDA examination glove refusals sank to six month lows in September. Latex glove refusals continued an upward trend in August climbing to 12-month highs before plummeting in September. Vinyl and nitrile refusals remained relatively stable over the same period of time.

As of October 2009

OSHA Glove Requirements for Healthcare

Michael Prather — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:26:24 +0000

Q: What law requires the use of disposable gloves in health care and nursing? -Karen from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi

A: 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires that gloves be worn “when it can be reasonably anticipated that the employee may have hand contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, and non-intact skin; when performing vascular access procedures; and when handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces”.

Is an employee responsible for paying for PPE?

Michael Prather — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:20:01 +0000

Q: Does OSHA require the employer to furnish gloves for employees? -Pam from Evers & Sons via our GloveUniversity.com Ask a Question page.

A: According to 29 CFR 1910.132, employers are required to provide employees protective equipment (including hand protection) at no cost to employees, excluding some specialty foot and eyewear, everyday clothing, or clothing used solely for protection from weather. The employer must also pay for replacement personal protective equipment, except when the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the equipment.

Exam glove refusals decline after June surge

Michael Prather — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:45:34 +0000

The number of containers of medical gloves refused by the FDA declined in July after surging to record highs in June. Latex refusals reached a 12-month high in June before retreating slightly in July. Vinyl glove refusals continued an up-and-down pattern, approaching records in June before scaling back in July. Nitrile refusals remained far below record highs set in November 2008.

Glove containers typically hold more than 2.5 million disposable gloves, resulting in potential market shortages when refusals peak unexpectedly.