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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Personal equipment for low seam coal miners: Development and testing of knit fabric gloves

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6835334

This report discusses the development and testing of prototype gloves for underground mining work. An analysis of HSAC hand-finger injuries revealed three high-risk jobs: laborer, mechanic, and roof bolter. Laboratory tests of dexterity and protection were performed using six off-the-shelf gloves. Two prototype gloves were developed. Both were Kevlar-cotton blend knit gloves. One had polyvinyl ''Ks'' screened on the palm and fingers, and a hand pad sewn into the palm. The other prototype had the palm and fingers coated with a solid layer of polyvinyl and had no hand pad. Field tests revealed that the solid-coated gloves were preferred by workers, but that the polyvinyl melted when working with hot drill steels.

Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6835334
Report Number(s):
OFR-2088
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English