MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

How should gloves be checked for damage before use?

1. Smell for chemical residue

2. Fill gloves with water to check for holes

3. Inspect them visually for small tears

4. Wear them and observe for leaks

The correct answer is: Fill gloves with water to check for holes

Filling gloves with water is an effective method to check for holes or punctures before use. By doing so, you can see if any water leaks out, which would indicate a breach in the glove material. This technique is particularly useful because it allows for a thorough examination, ensuring that the gloves provide a proper barrier against potentially harmful substances. Other methods, such as smelling for chemical residue or visually inspecting for small tears, may not be as reliable. The sense of smell might not accurately indicate damage, and small tears could sometimes be undetectable to the naked eye. Wearing the gloves and observing for leaks may put the wearer at risk if the gloves are compromised. Therefore, filling the gloves with water is a more definitive approach to ensuring their integrity before they are used in a potentially hazardous environment.