Protect workers from HIV
June 1st 2006

Needlestick injuries are on the increase in the UK. The waste industry reports around 4,000 accidents each year as more and more syringes are left discarded or not properly disposed of. Exposure brings the threat of serious viral infections including HIV, Hepatitis C and B, and Herpes – some of which can prove fatal.

A BSIF award-winning glove, however, promises to turn the tide.

The Mapa BioPro glove is specially designed to offer protection against tearing by sharp objects and is able to reduce any viral exposure transmitted following an accident. The glove is able to do this whilst retaining the ergonomics of a thin, dexterous glove.

The glove consists of three layers of synthetic rubber including a middle layer which contains a liquid disinfectant dispersed in the form of micro-droplets. In the event that a syringe pierces the glove, disinfectant is flooded into the area of impact within microseconds to reduce the potency of any viruses.

Figures show that viral transmission has been reduced by at least 80% when using the BioPro glove compared to a thin latex glove.