Gloves are cut resistant and impact absorbing
A new safety glove designed to help protect miners from hand injuries could reduce the number of lost-time injuries in the industry and save mining companies millions of dollars in worker compensation claims, according to Anthony Gilin, president of Mine Safety Solutions (MSS) of Timmins.
The MSS gloves are made of cut resistant, impact absorbing material, yet are tight fitting and easy to work with.
Gilin, 34, was motivated to design a work glove with superior protection after sustaining a hand injury while working as a labourer several years ago. A graduate of the Business Management program at Northern College in Timmins, Gilin founded MSS in 2015, spent several years on research and development, and began selling his gloves in June.
According to the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada, there are an average of 28,000 lost-time injuries to hands and fingers every year. Only back injuries are more common. The cost of each lost time hand injury, claims Gilin, averages $7,500.
The MSS gloves are made of bright fabric for high visibility, come in three sizes – medium, large and extra large – and are available from a growing number of suppliers, including Sling Choker Manufacturing, Soucie Salo Safety, Home Hardware in Timmins and Amazon.
“Wearing an MSS safety glove allows you to work with nuts and bolts as if you don’t even have a pair of gloves on,” said Gilin. “They are made with high performance polyethylene and padding to protect miners from falling rocks and debris during bolting and help to reduce the incidence of carpal tunnel and white finger syndrome.”
Aside from the basic Model 1 glove, MSS also has a light waterproof model.
Gilin estimates he has already sold approximately 500 pairs of gloves and is working on the design of several more varieties for different applications.
