1910.138: Hand Protection
Employers must select and require workers to use proper hand protection when their hands face hazards like harmful substances absorbed through the skin, severe cuts, abrasions, punctures, chemical or thermal burns, and extreme temperatures. The choice of gloves must be based on how they perform against the task, conditions, duration of use and hazards identified.
Key takeaways
- 1910.138 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 614 times in the last 3 years, in 611 inspections, with $1,378,095 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (76), OH (40), MN (39).
- Most-cited part: 1910.138(a) General requirements (557 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.138, "Hand protection", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It has 2 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1910.138 (2 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements. 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. Open (a) 557 citations
(b) Selection. Employers shall base the selection of the appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s) to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified. Open (b) 57 citations
[59 FR 16362, Apr. 6, 1994; 59 FR 33911, July 1, 1994]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 611 inspections cited 1910.138 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.138.
At 2:15 p.m. on August 9, 2024, Employee #1 and a coworker were sorting mail when they came into contact with an unknown substance laced on an inmate's letter. The substance was suspected to be fentanyl. Employee #1 sustained fatal injuries due to skin absorption…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 236 |
| 2025 | 209 |
| 2026 | 133 |
Top states: TN (76), OH (40), MN (39), TX (38), MD (36)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE DEVEREUX FOUNDATION, INC. | WINTER PARK, FL | $70,938 |
| GATE GOURMET, INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $63,850 |
| 155799 - BHARAT FORGE ALUMINUM USA, INC. | SANFORD, NC | $25,000 |
| CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA, LLC | FARGO, ND | $16,131 |
| MAVERICK NV, LLC | ELKO, NV | $16,131 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.138.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.138(a) General requirements 557 citations
- 1910.138(b) Selection 57 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When are gloves required?
When employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts, abrasions, punctures, chemical or thermal burns, or harmful temperature extremes.
Can any glove be used?
No. The employer must base selection on the glove's performance for the task, conditions, duration of use and hazards.
Who decides which glove to use?
The employer selects the appropriate hand protection and requires employees to use it.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.138 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.