General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

Hand Protection

Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05

29 CFR 1910.138

29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to select and require hand protection matched to the specific hazard: skin absorption, cuts, punctures, chemical or thermal burns, or temperature extremes. Because no glove does everything, chemical gloves are chosen by permeation breakthrough time (from SDS Section 8) and cut gloves by their ANSI/ISEA 105 level.

29 CFR 1910.138 at a glance

What it requires: Appropriate hand protection where hands are exposed to chemical, cut, puncture, burn, or temperature hazards
Who it covers: General-industry employers whose workers' hands face the listed hazards
Key duty: Select gloves based on the specific hazard: the SDS and the task drive the choice
Selection basis: Chemical resistance, cut/puncture resistance, and thermal protection matched to the hazard
Max penalty (2026): $16,550 per serious violation; $165,514 per willful
The #1 confusion: No single glove does everything: chemical breakthrough time and cut level are task-specific

What 29 CFR 1910.138 requires (plain English)

29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to select and require appropriate hand protection when workers' hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. It is a performance standard: it names the hazards and requires suitable protection rather than prescribing a specific glove.

Because gloves are hazard-specific, selection is the heart of compliance. Chemical hazards require gloves whose material resists the specific chemical, judged by permeation breakthrough time and degradation: information that comes from Section 8 of the chemical's Safety Data Sheet and manufacturer chemical-resistance charts. Cut and puncture hazards call for gloves rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level scale (A1 through A9); thermal hazards call for heat- or cold-rated gloves. OSHA directs employers to base selection on an evaluation of the tasks, the hazards, and the performance characteristics of the gloves.

Hand protection is chosen from the 1910.132(d) hazard assessment and is generally employer-paid. It complements, never replaces, engineering and work-practice controls: where a chemical can be enclosed or a cut hazard designed out, that comes first, with gloves as the protection for the residual hazard. There is no general-industry-versus-construction split for hand protection the way there is for eye or head PPE: construction relies on the analogous general PPE requirement in 1926.95.

The regulatory text

“Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.”

29 CFR 1910.138(a)

Key facts about 29 CFR 1910.138

Hand protection is required for skin absorption, severe cuts/lacerations, abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and temperature extremes (1910.138(a)).
1910.138 is a performance standard: it requires suitable gloves for the hazard, not one specific type.
Glove selection must be based on the task, the hazards, and the glove's performance characteristics (1910.138(b)).
Chemical glove choice depends on permeation breakthrough time and degradation for the specific chemical (SDS Section 8).
Cut-resistant gloves are rated A1 through A9 on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale.
Gloves are the residual-hazard control: engineering and work-practice controls come first.
Construction relies on the analogous general PPE requirement in 1926.95 rather than a separate hand standard.

Scope: who 29 CFR 1910.138 applies to

Regulatory framework: General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Citation reference: 29 CFR 1910.138
Enforcement status: In force and enforced
Jurisdiction: Federal OSHA (29 State-Plan jurisdictions may be stricter)

State-Plan states (e.g. California, Washington, Michigan) operate OSHA-approved programs that must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and frequently impose higher penalties or additional requirements. Confirm the rule as adopted in your state.

Key requirements of 29 CFR 1910.138

#	Employer obligation
1	Select gloves based on the specific hazard
2	Consider chemical resistance ratings for chemical exposure
3	Ensure proper fit to maintain dexterity
4	Train workers on proper glove use and limitations

Summarized from the text of 29 CFR 1910.138. Always read the full regulation for the binding language.

Common Hand Protection violations

Deficiencies OSHA cites under 29 CFR 1910.138 include the ones below, in no particular order. Distinct deficiencies can be cited as separate items, and each serious item carries up to $16,550 (2026). Broader per-instance stacking exists but is a discretionary, case-by-case OSHA enforcement policy, not an automatic multiplier.

No hand protection where a chemical, cut, puncture, or burn hazard exists (1910.138(a)).
Gloves not selected based on the task and the glove's performance characteristics (1910.138(b)).
Chemical gloves used beyond their permeation breakthrough time for the chemical in use (1910.138(b)).
Cut-resistance level too low for the sharp-edge hazard present (1910.138(a)).
No hand protection against harmful temperature extremes, hot or cold (1910.138(a)).

There is no universal glove: chemical breakthrough time and cut level are specific

The frequent mistake is issuing one glove for every task. A glove that resists one chemical may dissolve in or let another permeate quickly, so chemical protection is judged by the permeation breakthrough time and degradation rating for that specific chemical, found in Section 8 of its Safety Data Sheet and the manufacturer's chemical-resistance chart, not by 'chemical gloves' in general. Cut protection is likewise graded: an ANSI/ISEA 105 level A2 glove will not stop a hazard that needs A5. And a leather glove that guards against abrasion offers little against a solvent. Selecting hand protection means matching the glove's tested performance to the actual hazard of the task.

What OSHA inspectors look for

A compliance officer checks that gloves match the task's hazard (the right chemical resistance for the chemical in use, the right cut level for the sharps, thermal gloves for heat) and that they are not worn past their breakthrough time. One universal glove used for every task, including chemicals it does not resist, is a common finding.

Example: how a violation is cited

A worker handles a solvent with general-purpose gloves that the chemical permeates within minutes, and develops a chemical burn. OSHA cites 1910.138(a) because the hand protection did not match the hazard: a selection failure traceable to ignoring SDS Section 8, with penalties from $16,550.

Illustrative example, not a specific OSHA case.

Hand Protection compliance checklist

Use this to evaluate your compliance with 29 CFR 1910.138. Each item is a key requirement OSHA may verify during an inspection.

Use the 1910.132(d) hazard assessment to identify chemical, cut, puncture, and thermal hand hazards.
For chemical hazards, consult SDS Section 8 and manufacturer charts for permeation breakthrough time and degradation.
Select cut-resistant gloves at the correct ANSI/ISEA 105 level (A1 through A9) for the sharp-edge hazard.
Provide heat- or cold-rated gloves where temperature extremes are present.
Prefer engineering and work-practice controls first; use gloves for the residual hazard.
Train workers on glove limitations (breakthrough time, when to replace) and confirm gloves are worn.

2026 penalties for 29 CFR 1910.138

Maximums set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d). 2026 amounts unchanged from 2025 (no CPI adjustment; OMB M-26-11). Not an increase. The 2025 OSHA penalty levels remain in effect for 2026; OSHA made no inflation adjustment for 2026. 29 CFR 1903.15 identifies January 15, 2025 as the effective reference for these amounts, while OSHA's public penalties page currently references penalties assessed after Jan. 15, 2026.

Violation type	Minimum	Maximum	When it applies
Serious	$1,085	$16,550	Substantial probability of death or serious physical harm.
Other-Than-Serious	$0	$16,550	Relates to safety/health but unlikely to cause death or serious harm.
Willful	$11,823	$165,514	Intentional, knowing, or voluntary disregard of the requirement.
Repeated	$4,256	$165,514	A substantially similar violation cited within the last 5 years.
Failure to Abate	None	$16,550/day	up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6)

Hand-protection citations follow lacerations and chemical burns. Serious violations reach $16,550 and willful or repeat violations $165,514; mismatched gloves and chemical exposures are the usual findings.

Maximums and the willful minimum are set by 29 CFR 1903.15(d); the serious and repeated minimums are OSHA policy floors from its annual penalty adjustment memo. OSHA applies gravity-based and size, good-faith and history reductions (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch.6). Estimates only, not legal advice.

The business case for Hand Protection compliance

Hands are the most frequently injured body part, and the wrong glove can be worse than none: a chemical that permeates a glove holds it against the skin longer. Matching the glove's tested performance to the task is what actually protects the hands rather than merely covering them.

Free compliance tools for 29 CFR 1910.138

PPE Selector Chemical Compatibility Matrix SDS Gap Analyzer

Hand Protection penalties by state

Penalties and enforcement vary by state. State-Plan states may impose higher penalties and additional requirements beyond federal 29 CFR 1910.138.

Alabama Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia

View all 50 states + DC →

Frequently asked questions about 29 CFR 1910.138

When is hand protection required under 1910.138?

Under 1910.138(a), employers must select and require appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. It is a performance standard, so the employer must match the glove to the specific hazard rather than issue one universal glove.

How do I choose the right chemical-resistant glove?

Base the choice on the specific chemical, not on 'chemical gloves' in general. Consult Section 8 of the chemical's Safety Data Sheet and the glove manufacturer's chemical-resistance chart for the material's permeation breakthrough time (how long before the chemical passes through) and degradation rating for that chemical. Under 1910.138(b), selection must be based on an evaluation of the task, the hazard, and the glove's performance characteristics.

What do ANSI cut levels mean for gloves?

Cut-resistant gloves are rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale from A1 (lowest) to A9 (highest), based on the grams of force needed to cut through the material. A higher level stops a more severe cut hazard, so the glove level must match the sharp-edge hazard of the task: an A2 glove will not protect against a hazard that requires A5. OSHA's 1910.138 requires selecting hand protection suited to the hazard, and these ratings are how cut performance is compared.

Does OSHA have a separate hand-protection standard for construction?

Not a dedicated one like 1910.138. Construction hand protection is governed by the general PPE requirements in 1926.95, which require appropriate protective equipment wherever hazards can cause injury. The selection logic is the same (match the glove's chemical, cut, or thermal performance to the hazard) but construction employers cite 1926.95 rather than the general-industry 1910.138.

Regulatory history of 29 CFR 1910.138

1910.138 was added in 1994 (59 FR 16334) when OSHA revised the PPE subpart, creating an explicit hand-protection standard for the first time. It was written as a performance standard so it can incorporate evolving glove technology and consensus rating systems, such as ANSI/ISEA 105 for cut resistance, without needing to be rewritten for each new material.

Related glossary terms

Key terms that appear in 29 CFR 1910.138, each with a full plain-English explainer.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Skin Corrosion/Irritation Safety Data Sheet (SDS)Hierarchy of Controls

Related guides & articles

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Construction Guide Prevent Chemical Reactions with a Compatibility Matrix

Related OSHA standards

29 CFR 1910.132

PPE General Requirements

29 CFR 1910.133

Eye & Face Protection

29 CFR 1910.135

Head Protection

29 CFR 1910.136

Foot Protection

Primary sources

OSHA figures on this page are imported from HazComFast's verified regulatory module (verified 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register).

This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. OSHA standards and penalty amounts change; confirm requirements against the current regulation and your applicable State-Plan before acting.

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