Staying safe is a top priority in life, whether you are at work or home. When dealing with anything hazardous or dangerous, one of the best and easiest ways to protect yourself is by wearing safety gloves.
In this guide, we will cover the different types of safety gloves so you can make an informed choice on which ones will adequately protect your hands during your job.
What are work gloves?
Everyone knows what gloves are – an accessory to your clothing that can help to keep your hands warm and looking great. But workplace safety gloves are a little different.
Safety gloves fall into the category of personal protective equipment (PPE), which covers a highly diverse range of different product types, materials and functions. The right safety gloves for the task will protect your hands, and keep them clean and comfortable.
What are the different types of gloves?
Mechanic gloves
These are often made from either nylon or elastane to give a close fit that enables greater dexterity. The tips of the fingers and palms on the gloves are also usually enhanced with materials such as polyamide or nitrile foam to allow better grip and significantly improve performance while wearing them.
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Mechanic gloves offer a strong resistance to abrasion and tearing and can last for an extended period of time while still looking like new. They work well in both wet and dry conditions which makes them ideal for use in a variety of workplaces such as warehousing and supply chain, scaffolding and engineering.
Cut-resistant gloves
These gloves protect hands against blades, sharp edges and general tear or abrasion. They are usually made from a stainless steel mesh and nitrile material or polyurethane coatings. For more information visit this site: f95zone
Their main purpose is to reduce the likelihood of injury for the person wearing it against cuts which can be quite prominent in workplaces such as construction, metal fabrication and welding, food preparation and healthcare.
Chemical-resistant gloves
These gloves usually extend further up the arm than other kinds. This is to protect the hand and as much as the arm as possible from harmful chemicals. Chemical-resistant gloves can be made from a wide range of different materials including natural latex, nitrile, knitted cotton with PVC coating, chlorine-hardened rubber or neoprene.
You can find chemical-resistant gloves in two types: light-duty and heavy-duty. The type you choose depends on what you will use them for and the industry you work in but they are widely used in factories, laboratories, healthcare facilities, warehouses and workshops.
Electrical safety gloves
Electrical safety gloves – also known as non-conductive gloves – have been designed to be form-fitting on the hand and fingers to support dexterity when working with components and wiring. They are commonly made from thick materials such as natural latex rubber and have high dielectric protection (often 1000V).
Weatherproof gloves
The main purpose of these gloves is to keep hands dry and protected in a range of harsh, wet conditions. They are typically made from quality fabrics and materials such as nylon. Many weatherproof gloves feature enhanced flexibility to increase comfort and reduce hand fatigue when working.
Are there any legal requirements around safety gloves?
In short, yes there are. One thing to make sure of when purchasing gloves is the CE mark. This means that they have been tested against a number of measures and are in compliance with relevant European laws and guidelines.
There are other legal guidelines set out for the use of gloves in certain applications and are summarised below:
- European Standard EN374-2 – this shows that the gloves are waterproof and protect hands from prolonged or frequent contact with water, which can cause dermatitis.
- European Standard EN 388 – this certifies the gloves for protection against abrasions, blade cuts, tears and punctures.
- European Standard EN374-3 – this ensures that gloves are tested for their resistance to 18 different hazardous chemicals.
- European Standard EN407 – this refers to the product’s protection against thermal hazards.
- European Standard EN388 – this standard refers to characteristics such as abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tearing strength, puncture resistance and impact protection.
