Protecting Workers from Exposure to Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is an extremely hazardous chemical. Yet it’s used in the manufacture of everything from refrigerants to pharmaceuticals and electronic components.

When dissolved in water, it’s known as hydrofluoric (HF) acid, which is highly corrosive. According to Work Safe Victoria’s guide to using hydrofluoric acid in the workplace, exposure can lead to severe burns to the skin and permanent eye damage. PPE plays an essential role in protecting workers who are exposed to HF acid in the workplace.

Ansell gloves: designed for chemical resistance

Ansell’s AlphaTec range of gloves features a barrier formulation that delivers reliable protection against a broad spectrum of hazardous chemicals, including HF acid, helping ensure worker safety in high-risk environments. It’s important to select gloves according to the concentration of HF being handled.

• 38-001 butyl gloves offer optimum resistance to highly aggressive chemicals, and are soft and flexible for greater dexterity.
• 53-002 neoprene/laminate film unlined gloves offer extreme chemical protection to a broad range of chemicals.
• 53-003 gloves deliver all the features of 53 002, plus a nylon liner that increases mechanical and heat protection.

Tested to global standards

The EN ISO 374:2016 is a globally recognised standard which tests gloves against an extensive list of industry chemicals. Of the 18 candidate chemicals tested under EN ISO 374:2016, Ansell’s 53-002 and 53-003 styles meets minimum class 2 for 17 of them. These 18 chemicals are each of a different chemical class, so passing minimum class 2 on 17 shows the broad level of protection the gloves deliver.

If you use a big chemical mix across your company, this means you can buy large amounts of a single glove type. This helps reduce the chance of workers using the wrong glove, boosting workforce safety and company compliance.

Tips for safe use and correct wear

It’s important for workers to always wear gloves specifically designed for the chemical in use, and to check the gloves’ rate of breakthrough permeation time before use. For full body protection from HF, Ansell also offers gas-tight Hazmat PPE. You can find out more about chemical protection with the free AnsellGUARDIAN Chemical resource.

Ansell protection in the workplace, every day

According to Ansell, most of the HF used in Australian manufacturing goes to make refrigerants. It’s also used to:

• Produce pharmaceuticals like anti-depressants and anaesthetics.
• Manufacture hard polymer coatings for cookwear.
• Acid pickle, descale, weld clean surfaces in stainless steel production.
• Produce herbicides and pesticides in the agricultural sector.
• Create semiconductor chips for computers, phones and solar panels.
• Form a catalyst in oil refineries, creating high-octane gasoline.
• Etch, polish and frost glass, also to etch enamel.
• Clean brass and crystal, also to remove rust.

While HF is not generally a component of lithium-ion batteries, it can be released as a byproduct when EVs or energy storage units catch fire. So as EV and battery uptake increases, so does the need for awareness of potential worker exposure to HF.

Jihee Noh, Senior Specialist, Brand/Product Marketing Ansell Limited, says wherever HF is found, Ansell provides critical worker protection. “Ansell’s broad range of chemical-resistant gloves and PPE can transform the way you protect your workers.”

As Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, Blackwoods has all your job requirements covered. Talk to your local Blackwoods Technical Safety Specialist about the Ansell range of chemical gloves.

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