Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ensures your safety and health during work processes or when handling hazardous materials. Choosing the right equipment for the job can yield twice the result with half the effort, helping you complete tasks more effectively. If your employees need to handle potentially hazardous chemicals with their hands, chemical-resistant gloves are absolutely essential.
There are various types of work gloves. Learning more about the performance and quality of these gloves can help you make informed decisions to determine which type is best suited for your needs. With the help of health professionals, a customized injury prevention plan can ensure the safety of your hands. With the right plan and protective equipment, you can avoid unnecessary injuries.
Five Qualities Protective Gloves Should Have
Chemical Resistance
To protect your hands from harmful chemicals, gloves must possess the ability to resist chemical substances. This prevents chemicals from corroding your hands and causing unnecessary injuries, making chemical resistance a critical factor.
Different glove materials offer different functions and levels of resistance. Some materials can protect against certain chemicals but not others. To ensure full protection from workplace hazards, you first need to understand the invisible chemical dangers in your environment, then research which glove materials can resist those substances. Look for gloves with high chemical resistance ratings to ensure they meet your industry’s standards.
Breakthrough Time (Permeation Time)
Gloves designed to protect your hands from harmful chemicals should also be able to prevent chemicals from permeating through the material over time, thereby avoiding direct exposure and potential damage to your skin.
Durability
High-quality work gloves are known for their durability. The longer a glove lasts, the less frequently it needs to be replaced—making it more cost-effective over time. Fragile gloves may tear, crack, or delaminate, which can result in serious injuries. Durable gloves, on the other hand, provide excellent protection against hazardous chemicals. Even under intense working conditions, highly durable gloves can withstand wear and tear, which is especially important for those who frequently use their hands.
Thickness
Gloves come in varying thicknesses. Some are thick and heavy-duty, while others are thin and flexible. The best gloves for you depend on your specific job requirements. Do you need to handle fine and detailed tasks, or do you require gloves made from high-density materials for maximum protection?
In general, thicker gloves tend to offer better chemical resistance than thinner ones. If you need to handle strong chemicals, thick gloves may be your best choice. However, they may also reduce dexterity. In special cases, it’s best to strike a balance between thickness and flexibility according to the task at hand.
Fit and Comfort
When selecting gloves, a proper fit and comfort level are crucial. While safety is the top priority, comfort and fit should also be considered. Well-fitted gloves enhance finger mobility, allowing you to handle tools and materials more efficiently and comfortably. They also help reduce hand fatigue and strain, lowering the risk of exhaustion and injury.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is another key factor in glove selection. Choosing the most cost-effective gloves means you save money without compromising on quality. This achieves both cost reduction and efficiency. In the long run, purchasing durable gloves not only saves money but also reduces the frequency of replacement, ensuring excellent value.
Other Hidden Hazards
While chemical resistance is important, chemicals aren’t the only dangers workers may face. Depending on your industry, you may be exposed to other hazards such as cuts, high temperatures, fire, and more. When facing additional hidden dangers, it’s essential to evaluate the specific risks and select the appropriate gloves to protect your hands accordingly.
Aibon Can Equip You with the Right Gloves
If you’re looking into high-quality safety equipment, work gloves are just the beginning. Aibon can help you maximize safety across all aspects of your workplace. Our safety experts assist in implementing plans aimed at fostering a culture of safety and emphasizing the importance of hand protection.
By reducing healthcare and insurance costs and minimizing the risk of workplace injuries, we ensure you receive the best gloves for your needs while saving money at the same time.
Contact our team today to learn more about Aibon’s comprehensive services and the many ways we can support you.
How to Measure Glove Sizes – Source: AIBON
Latex gloves– Source: AIBON
Safety gloves– Source: AIBON
Working gloves– Source: AIBON