Telco technicians face mechanical risks from handling tools and equipment, laceration hazards from stripping cables or working in confined spaces, and back-of- hand impact risks from pinch points and heavy infrastructure. Gloves are vital, but PPE selection often prioritises cost over covering specific task risks.
Gloves that don’t match the task can be hot and uncomfortable to wear or bulky and unsuitable for jobs that require dexterity, meaning workers take them off. Investing in best-fit gloves can help reduce the risk of injuries, protect skilled workers, maintain productivity and keep operations moving. So how can employers make sure that workers have the gloves they need, without breaking the budget?
Shane Wood, National Category Manager – Prosafe PPE & WPS at Blackwoods, says hand injuries are a key risk for telco workers, yet companies often choose one glove to do everything. This can work, but a glove not suitable for a specific task may also slow work down. Then there’s a risk of downtime if a worker removes a glove and an accident happens.
“If employees are happy and there’s no injuries, you may have the right glove for your needs,” he says. "But if workers are taking gloves off because they are hot or don’t have the right dexterity, then it’s a good sign that you haven’t got the right glove.”
Shane says there’s a balance between cost and protection - it’s not feasible for workers to carry a pair of gloves for absolutely every eventuality. Getting that balance right starts with reviewing current hand protection including incident logs and injuries, to align the choice of glove with the most common hazards.
This might mean selecting a mix of gloves that offer cut resistance for cable work, gloves with impact protection for maintenance tasks and gloves with high-dexterity coatings for precision work. Gloves might also need to be touchscreen compatible, allowing workers to enter data into a mobile device without needing to take them off. Glove selection also isn’t set and forget. It’s important for employers to regularly review incident logs and PPE policies to ensure gloves continue to be fit-for-purpose and address real-world hazards.
PROSAFE gloves are designed to cover a variety of hazards and protection levels. Gloves are available in a range of materials that meet the EN388 standard for cut protection, are compatible with touchscreens and offer impact resistance and abrasion resistance.
The range has been developed for the Australian market, with comfort and protection in hot conditions a key consideration. As a Blackwoods brand, PROSAFE delivers uncompromising quality with exceptional value.
“Because Blackwoods works directly with manufacturers, we’re able to remove unnecessary costs from the supply chain and pass those efficiencies straight on to our customers,” Shane says. “This means PROSAFE delivers certified, tested and responsibly sourced products with an ideal balance of performance and price - without compromising on quality.”
As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. The right glove for the right task is essential. Don’t compromise safety by choosing PPE based on cost or convenience. Reach out to your local Blackwoods Technical Safety Specialist for tailored advice and support, to ensure you get the balance right.