Do I Need Gloves When Working With MicroCare Cleaners?
While casual and intermittent skin contact with most of the MicroCare cleaners does not represent a significant health risk, wearing gloves is certainly is a good practice, especially if skin contact is likely and prolonged. This is particularly true when cleaning stencils by hand, using the presaturated wipes. Gloves, splash goggles, aprons (when handling open drums) and safety shoes with steel toes are highly recommended.
Common sense strongly recommends that prolonged or repetitive skin contact with any solvent or chemical should be avoided. After all, the MicroCare solvents are defluxers and degreasers. They are designed to remove oils and grease. This can result in the temporary drying, itching, swelling and roughening of the skin. This temporary irritation of sensitive skin is called temporary local dermatitis. Healing is rapid after the exposure ceases. But why work so hard? Wear gloves or finger cots and stop worrying about it.
When using solvents for cleaning SMT stencils and other production equipment, most experts recommend the use of gloves
Protective Clothing Enhances Worker Safety
Whichever solvent you select, you should use gloves and other protective clothing if there is any risk of skin or eye contact. There is a very good web site which has excellent technical data about the huge array of glove choices available on the market. It’s organized by the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS, formerly The Office of Radiation, Chemical & Biological Safety (ORCBS), at the Michigan State University) so it’s not tied to any one manufacturer or brand. When you identify a chemical it suggests the best type of glove to use. In the color chart, you’re looking for gloves rated in white or green. When selecting gloves, check the SDS sheet to get the EXACT chemical name or CAS number for the solvent you are using; different solvents require different types of gloves.
As a general rule for MicroCare products, Viton® gloves work adequately. In some applications a more durable two-part glove might be necessary. Chose the powderless option if it is important to control nonvolatile residues in your production process. These are widely available from quality distributors everywhere.
If you don’t have time to go to the ORCBS site, then select the best impervious gloves and protective clothing you can find if there is any risk of skin contact. Gloves, splash goggles, aprons (when handling open drums) and safety shoes with steel toes are highly recommended.