How to minimize injury with tough oil and gas maintenance tasks

Oil and gas companies have all kinds of necessary operations, but there is one supporting function that can have a direct impact on just about every one of them – and even has the potential to cripple the entire venture if not well managed — maintenance management. While there are several maintenance challenges operators face in this industry, we want to make sure that finding the right personal protective equipment isn’t one of them.

Let’s take a look at some common maintenance tasks to understand why proper glove use is needed.

General tasks

These tasks take place during processing and include equipment operation, routine maintenance, hand and powered tool use, utility hose and manual material handling, climbing, rigging, and other non-chemical tasks.

Protective gloves should be used by all persons in all classified areas to provide protection against general impact and cut hazards. Ideal gloves must be hand or machine washable for light contact with dirt, oil, and/or grease.

Metal handling

These tasks include the installation or removal of metal products and exposure workers to hazards such as: sharp edges and burrs, and punctures from cladding, flashing, packing, ducting, and more.

Protective gloves should be used when handling sharp material edges that present high cut hazards, such as insulating, packing handling, and HVAC work. Certain tasks may also require arm protection.

Shop tasks

These tasks work to repair instruments and/or equipment using handheld, battery-operated, and corded tools; hoists; equipment/material handling; and work processes such as blasting, welding, and painting.

Protective gloves should be used in non-classified indoor/outdoor areas (such as shops and yards) for equipment assembly/disassembly, when using tools, or handling equipment. Ideal gloves should include both cut and impact protection, as well as include a partially or fully dipped outer coating for incidental contact with lubricants and/or fluids.

Machine work

Tasks around the machine shop expose workers to high cut hazards from tooling, waste materials, and milled work surfaces.

Protective gloves should be used when handling machined components, turnings/cuttings, and tool changes to protect against high cut hazards (not for use when machining).

The glove to help minimize injury

The right protection can make all the difference in staying safe and productive on the job. And for oil and gas maintenance work, the is it. his mechanic’s style glove makes safety an uncompromised necessity through its dexterity, impact-resistance, and cut protection.