Following advice from the St John Ambulance Medical Advisory Committee, St John Supplies has withdrawn from sale all types of latex gloves and recommends that vinyl or nitrile disposable gloves are purchased and used instead.
The law places specific responsibilities for managing health and safety on employers and employees. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a general duty on employers to keep employees and others (such as patients) healthy and safe at work.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 asks employers to undertake a risk assessment of any substances used at work that are hazardous to health. Natural rubber latex can promote an allergic reaction in some individuals and, as such, is potentially hazardous to health.