University of Arizona
March 16th, 2011
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Kimberly-Clark Gloves:
Factors in Glove Selection
Appropriateness of glove material and dimensions.
z
Coverage: Is the glove long enough?
z Thickness: Which thickness will give protection yet provide dexterity
and tactile sensitivity.
z Grip characteristics.
z Material resistance.
Glove tensile properties
z
Choose gloves with good tensile properties and puncture
resistance. These are good indicators of glove durability during use.
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Kimberly-Clark Gloves: Chemical
Protection
The work activities involved –Selection Process
z
z
z
z
z
Degree of dexterity required.
Duration of chemical exposure.
Frequency of chemical exposure.
Degree of chemical exposure.
Existence of work practice controls.
AQL level for pinholes –
z
The fewer the defects, the better the barrier protection.
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Kimberly-Clark Gloves: Thin Mil
Chemical Protection
Permeation:
Movement of a chemical through a protective clothing material on a
molecular level (diffusion through the film).
Penetration:
Movement of a chemical through a protective layer when the surface
has been compromised by a hole.
Breakthrough Time: (in minutes or hours)
The elapsed time between initial contact on the outside surface of
the glove and the time the chemical can be detected on the inside
surface
of the glove
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Specification Data: AQL for Pinholes
•What is a pinhole?
• A small hole anywhere on the glove
•What is an AQL?
• AQL is an Accepted Quality Level for Pinholes in a predetermined amount
of gloves from a production lot
•What is the 510K requirement for AQL?
• Manufacturers must produce to an AQL of 2.5% or less to get 510K
approval
•What level AQL does Kimberly-Clark produce to?
• Kimberly-Clark manufactures lab gloves to an AQL of 1.5%
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Specification Data: AQL for Pinholes
AQL for Pinholes: The industry standard for exam gloves
is 2.5. This means that in a lot size of product, less than
2.5% of the gloves will have a defect. There is no industry
standard for industrial gloves.
Why is this important? Better barrier integrity – a pinhole is
a defect in the glove. The higher the number of defects, the
higher your risk for contamination to your employee and
your product.
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KIMBERLY-CLARK GLOVES:
Manufacturing Process
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KIMBERLY-CLARK GLOVES:
Manufacturing Process
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KIMBERLY-CLARK* Lavender Nitrile
Exam Gloves
Exceptional Value vs.
Standard Nitrile
The More “Economical” Choice of Nitrile Gloves
Latex-Free
z Eliminates exposure of latex sensitive
employees to latex
Nitrile Material
z Provides chemical resistance of nitrile
Textured Fingertips
z Easier to handle delicate instruments
2.8 mil Thickness
z Improves tactile sensitivity
250 Gloves per Box
z Reduces changing out of empty glove boxes
z Reduces waste by 55%
Size
Code 9.5”
UOM
XS
52816
250/BX 10BX/CS
S
52817
250/BX 10BX/CS
M
52818
250/BX 10BX/CS
L
52819
250/BX 10BX/CS
52820
230/BX 10BX/CS
XL
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Chemical Resistance Chart
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Latex Allergy Facts:
~ Up to 15 million Americans have a latex allergy. That means up to 6% of your
employees may be allergic to latex.
~ Up to 17% of lab workers are allergic to latex. The more a genetically predisposed
person is exposed to latex, the more likely they are to develop the allergy. After
repeated exposure over months or years, a threshold is reached and clinical
symptoms appear.
~ The occurrence of latex-associated reactions in the general population is 1-6%.
~ The occurrence of peanut allergies in the general population is 1%. That means
that latex allergies are our market’s “peanut allergy”.
~ A skin rash is not the only symptom of a latex allergy. There could also be
vomiting, diarrhea, anaphylaxis, difficulty breathing, sore joints/muscles, nausea,
vertigo/dizziness or sore throat.
~ The majority (about 80%) of latex allergy cases go undiagnosed due to all of these
symptoms.
~ The average cost to treat a latex allergy in the US is as high as $218,000 for a
single employee.
~ About 70% of reported workers’ compensation claims resulting from latex allergy
sensitivity have resulted in awards to the workers.
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Questions?
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