Reference / Paper · 2010
Conserve O Gram 1/12: How to Select Gloves (2010)
Which gloves to wear when handling collection objects, and when.
Reference / Paper · 2010
Which gloves to wear when handling collection objects, and when.
Conserve OGram Number 1/12 September 2010 How To Select Gloves: An Overview For Collections Staff Introduction When to Wear Gloves The surface of human skin is covered with residue including oils, dirt, salts, and moisture. These can damage museum objects by etching, abrasion, and staining. Likewise, the surface of objects can be composed of, or treated with, materials of varying toxicity, such as pesticides. These can render the handling of these objects dangerous to human health and safety. Gloves provide a protective barrier between the object and the person handling objects and prevent the transfer of substances between the hand and the object. Wear gloves when handling an object. Gloves protect the object and the handler. In rare circumstances, gloves may not be appropriate. Gloves should not be worn if they can damage the object, or if the object requires a sensitivity of handling that is difficult to achieve while wearing gloves. If gloves aren't worn, make sure that hands are clean and dry, and remain so throughout the handling process. If multiple objects are being handled without gloves, wash hands between handling each object. Consult with a conservator before handling an object without gloves. This Conserve O Gram provides guidance to collections management staff on how to select gloves for handling different types of materials in museum collections. It does not address interven tive conservation work. Different types of gloves are used in museums including those made of nitrile, vinyl, nylon, cotton, latex, and rubber. Each glove type has different properties that are listed in Table 1, Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Gloves. In the past, museum professionals commonly wore cotton gloves. However, nitrile gloves are now preferred as they provide superior protection for a broad variety of objects, including metals and others that are highly susceptible to damage from skin contact. Remember, safety first! It is safer for you and the object to wear gloves. Protecting Against Hazards Gloves protect the wearer from hazards including chemical agents, mechanical trauma, physical agents, and biological agents. Chemical agents are the main cause of occupational skin diseases and disorders. These agents are divided into two types: primary irritants and sensitizers. Primary or direct irritants act directly on the skin through chemical reactions. Sensitizers may not cause immediate skin reactions, but repeated exposure can result in allergic reactions. National Park Service Conserve O Gram 1112 A worker's skin may be exposed to hazardous chemicals through: • • • • direct contact with contaminated surfaces deposition of aerosols . . 1mmers10n splashes General Rules to Follow When selecting and using gloves; DO • Use nitrile gloves to handle a diverse array of objects. Nitrile gloves protect against a broad spectrum of chemicals and are generally the gloves of choice for most curatorial work. Physical agents such as extreme temperatures (hot or cold) and UV/solar radiation. Mechanical trauma includes friction, pressure, abrasions, lacerations and contusions such as (scrapes, cuts and bruises). • Be aware of glove thickness. Thicker gloves are more protective but do not allow for dexterous movement. Biological agents include parasites, microorganisms, plants and other animal materials. No single type of gloves provides protection against all potential hand hazards and most commonly available glove materials provide only limited protection against many chemicals. Therefore, it is important to select the most appropriate glove for a particular application and to determine how long it can be worn and whether it can be reused. • Use heavy-duty, thicker gloves when handling old chemicals or unidentified liquids. • Use gloves specific to the hazards encountered. Check the manufacturer's label to see if the selected glove will protect against a specific hazardous material. • Wear clean gloves of the right size. • Consult with the affiliated group if there are any cultural sensitivity concerns regarding handling. Disposable gloves are recommended when in direct contact with chemicals or contaminants. Chemicals will permeate glove material over time so reuse of disposable gloves is discouraged. Non-disposable gloves tend to be thicker and more durable and offer better protection against mechanical trauma but must be cleaned after use if in contact with contaminates. 2 DONOT • Use dirty or torn gloves as this defeats the purpose of using gloves. • Use rubber or latex gloves. These can cause allergic reactions and may leave residues that can be deposited on objects. How t o Select Gloves: An Overvi ew for Collections Sta.If Conserve O Gram 1112 National Park Service References Sources Centers for Disease Control. Occupational Latex Allergies. http://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/ topics/latex/ Light Impressions P.O . Box 2100 Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 1-800-828-6216 www.lightimpressionsdirect.com Rose, Carolyn L., Catherine A. Hawks, and Hugh H. Genoways, eds. Storage ofNatural H istory Collections: A Preventative Conservation Approach. Vol. 1. 2 vols. York, PA: Society for the Preservation of N atural History Collections, 1995 . The National Trust M anual ofHousekeep ing: The Care of Collections in H istoric Houses Open to the Public. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier Ltd., 2006. The Conserve O Gram series 1s published as a reference on collections management and curatonal issues. Mention of a product, a manufacturer, or a supp lier by name in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of that product or supplier by the N ational Park Service. Sources named are not all inclusive. It 1s suggested that r eaders also seek alternative product and vendor in formation in order to assess the full range of available supplies and equipment. University Products Inc. 517 Main Street Holyoke, MA 01040 1. 800.628.1912 www.universityproducts.com/ Claire S. Barker Arizona State Museum Research Assistant Ph.D . Candidate in A nthropolo gy 20 16 George Washington University M.A. Museum Studies 20 I 0 The series is distributed to all NPS uruts and is available to nonNPS institutions and interested individuals on line at <http:/ / www.nps.gov/history /museum/ publications/ conserveogram/ cons_ toc.htrnl>. For further information and guidance concerning any of the topics or pro cedures addressed in the series, contact NPS Park Museum Management Program, 1849 C Street NW (2265), Washington, DC 20240; (202) 354-2000. How to Select Gloves: An Overview for Collections Staff 3 Conserve O Gram 1112 National Park Service Table 1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Gloves Glove Type Material Advantages Concerns Use to Handle Nitrile Powder-free nitrile Disposable Sulfur used as an accelerant may react and tarnish silver and other highly reactive metals. If this is a concern, use accelerant free nitrile gloves. These are available from the same sources as regular nitrile gloves. Archeological collections Bone CDs Complex objects Furniture Gilded or painted wood Glass Horn Illuminated manuscripts Ivory Lacquer Leather Metal Natural history specimens Objects treated with hazardous chemicals Organic materials Paintings and miniatures Paper Photographic materials including film, negatives , slides, and prints Plaster Plastics Stone Textiles Unglazed ceramics Wallpaper Wood Safe for a wide array of objects Do not deposit residue Chemically stable; do not degrade or discolor quickly Provide impermeable barrier between object and human skin Clear indication of tears and breaks Allow a firm grip on smooth or slippery objects Possible allergic reaction to accelerant in nitrile. If this is a concern, use accelerant free gloves. In some cases, may not fit tightly enough to allow fine or detailed work. Avoid contact with ketones , oxidizing acids and organic compounds containing nitrogen. Low risk of allergic reaction Best choice for wide spectrum of chemicals with good solvent resistance for many chemicals Good for solvents, oils, greases, hydrocarbons and some acids and bases Good resistance to abraSlOnS Vinyl Vinyl Vinyl gloves are appropriate to handle the folProvide impermeable lowing objects if nitrile Chemically unstable, Degrades and disbarrier between object gloves are unavailable: colors swiftly. This may produce a resiand human skin Objects treated with hazdue that can be deposited on objects. Good for acids and ardous chemicals bases, oils, fats, peroxides Avoid contact with ketones and aroand amines matic solvents. Disposable Risk of allergic reaction, although less than latex or rubber. Good resistance to abrasions How to Select Gloves: An Overview for Collections Staff 4 Conserve O Gram 1112 National Park Service Table 1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Gloves (continued) Glove Type Material Advantages Concerns Use to Handle Nylon White nylon, available with rubber friction dots Reusable Nylon gloves are appropriate to handle the folTexture can be abrasive . lowing objects If nitrile Loose fit may cause handling problems. gloves are unavailabl e: Fabric can deposit lint on objects. Do not leave finger marks on objects Fit more snugly than cotton gloves Must be washed regularly. Avoid gloves with latex friction dots; see latex or rubber and vinyl gloves. Permeable barrier: can wick sweat and oil from the skin and deposit them on the object, does not reliably protect skin from residues on the surface of the object. Books Paper Photographic materials including film, negatives, slides, and prints CDs Paintings Wallpaper Not protective against chemical contaminants. Cotton White cotton, available with rubber friction dots Fabric can catch on surfaces, such as splinters in wood or corrosion on iron, risking damage Reusable Do not leave finger marks on objects Fabric can leave lint on the object Cotton gloves are appropriate to handle the following objects if nitrile gloves are unavailable: Books Paper Loose fit may cause handling problems. CDs Paintings Must be washed regularly. Wallpaper Permeable barrier can wick sweat and oil from the skin and deposit them on the object, does not reliably protect skin from residues on the surface of the object. Texture can be abrasive Not protective against chemical contaminants. Avoid gloves with friction dots; see latex or rubber and vinyl gloves. Latex or Rubber Latex or rubber, available without powder coating Disposable Risk of allergic reaction. Impermeable barrier Both latex and rubber are chemically unstable and degrade and discolor swiftly. This may produce a residue that can be deposited on objects. Good solvent resistance for many chemicals Highly elastic, allows for a firm grip on smooth or slippery objects 5 Avoid contact with oils, grease, and other hydrocarbons and organic solvents. Use for specialized conservation treatments, not for general collections handling. Consult with a conservator prior to handling objects with latex or rubber gloves. H ow to Select Gloves: An Overview f or Collect ions Staff