Which statement is true regarding rubber gloves and their inspection and testing?

Which statement is true regarding rubber gloves and their inspection and testing?

• A. They must be inspected before each use, but there is no requirement to test them.
• B. They must be tested every 6 months, but inspection is not required.
• C. They must be inspected before each use and tested every 6 months.
• D. They are not required to be inspected or tested.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that rubber insulating gloves must be kept in safe, reliable condition by both inspecting them before use and testing them periodically. Before each use, you check for any visible damage like cracks, cuts, tears, stiffening, discoloration, or wear at the fingertips and cuffs. This quick check is essential because small defects can grow or be hidden, and a glove that looks fine might already be compromised. In addition to pre-use inspections, gloves need a periodic test every six months to verify their dielectric strength isn’t degraded. The testing reveals hidden weaknesses that aren’t visible to the eye, such as micro-punctures or internal degradation. If a glove fails the test, it is taken out of service until it’s repaired or replaced. This combination—inspection before every use plus a regular six-month test—provides ongoing protection against electric shock by ensuring the gloves still perform as intended. Dismissing either step would miss a part of the safety check: inspection catches visible damage that could cause immediate failure, while the test confirms the material’s insulation capability remains intact over time.

The key idea is that rubber insulating gloves must be kept in safe, reliable condition by both inspecting them before use and testing them periodically. Before each use, you check for any visible damage like cracks, cuts, tears, stiffening, discoloration, or wear at the fingertips and cuffs. This quick check is essential because small defects can grow or be hidden, and a glove that looks fine might already be compromised.

In addition to pre-use inspections, gloves need a periodic test every six months to verify their dielectric strength isn’t degraded. The testing reveals hidden weaknesses that aren’t visible to the eye, such as micro-punctures or internal degradation. If a glove fails the test, it is taken out of service until it’s repaired or replaced. This combination—inspection before every use plus a regular six-month test—provides ongoing protection against electric shock by ensuring the gloves still perform as intended.

Dismissing either step would miss a part of the safety check: inspection catches visible damage that could cause immediate failure, while the test confirms the material’s insulation capability remains intact over time.