Insecticide Safety: What Gloves Are Right For The Job?

 

When handling insecticides it is important to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Insecticide labels provide the minimum PPE requirements that must be worn when handling containers, spraying, mixing, loading, or conducting maintenance on the sprayer.

 

 

Chemical resistant gloves are listed as required PPE for almost all insecticide related activities. Wearing the proper gloves when handling insecticide products prevents exposure to the skin on the hands. Insecticides can penetrate skin on different parts of the body to varying degrees. While the skin on the palms is thicker, exposure to the hands also poses a risk of exposing other parts of the body where insecticides ran cross more readily.

 

 

The PPE section of the label lists what materials are chemically resistant to the ingredients in the product. These materials refer to any of the PPE that will be worn. Table 1 lists the glove materials that are recommended for use when handling chemicals with the associated solvents present in them. It is important to note the level of resistance that is listed for each glove type. Table 2 provides glove recommendations for common insecticides used in South Dakota.

 

 

The ratings explanation for the types of materials is listed below: