Most Common Types Of Protective Work Gloves
Types Of Protective Work Gloves
Glove Guide
Below is a guide to the most common types of protective work gloves and the types of hazards they can guard against:
- Disposable Gloves: Disposable gloves, usually made of light-weight plastic, can help guard against mild irritants.
- Fabric Gloves: These gloves are made of cotton or fabric blends. They’re generally used to improve grip when handling slippery objects. They also help insulate hands from mild heat or cold.
- Leather Gloves: These gloves are used to guard against injuries from sparks or scraping against rough surfaces. They are also used in combination with an insulated liner when working with electricity
- Metal Mesh Gloves: These gloves are used to protect hands from accidental cuts and scratches. They are used most commonly by persons working with cutting tools or other sharp instruments.
- Aluminized Gloves: These gloves made of aluminized fabric are designed to insulate hands from intense heat. These gloves are most commonly used by persons working with molten materials.
- Chemical Resistance Gloves: These gloves may be made of rubber, neoprene, polyvinyl alcohol or vinyl, etc. The gloves protect hands from corrosives, oils, and solvents. When selecting chemical resistance gloves, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if the gloved hand will be immersed in the chemical.
Selection of Hand Protection
It’s important that employers work closely with their PPE supplier to select appropriate hand protection based on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection. The employer needs to look at each of the following:
- specific task(s) being performed;
- environmental conditions present;
- duration of hand protection use while performing the task;
- the actual hazards; and
- potential hazards.
The work activities of the employee should also be studied to determine:
- the degree of dexterity required;
- the duration of the task;
- the frequency of the task;
- degree of exposure of the hazard; and
- the physical stresses that will be applied.
Gloves should be replaced periodically, depending on frequency of use and permeability to the substance(s) handled. Gloves overtly contaminated should be rinsed and then carefully removed after use. With this in mind, there are two important characteristics of gloves to consider.
Permeation rate: The permeation rate measures the length of time it takes a given material (glove) to become saturated by the chemical through absorption.
Breakthrough or Penetration rate: The penetration rate measures the speed with which a given chemical breaks through the layer(s) of the glove to contact the skin.
Gloves should also be worn whenever it is necessary to handle rough or sharp-edged objects, and very hot or very cold materials. The type of glove material to be used in these situations includes leather, welder’s gloves, aluminum-backed gloves, and other types of insulated glove materials.
Glove Selection Chart
You can use the chart on the next page to help select the proper gloves for the job. It may serve as a guide to the different types of glove materials and the chemicals they can be used against.
