No matter what kind of outdoor worker you are, whether it’s a construction worker in Canada, a power line technician in New York, or a commercial fisherman in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, you must be aware of the risks and dangers brought by cold weather and the risk of frostbite, especially for those working in extreme temperatures.
The culprit of winter is generally frostbite, caused by the cold weather. At temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, your hands and fingers can be severely damaged within five minutes. Therefore, wearing appropriate winter gloves is one of the best preventive measures against frostbite, helping to keep your hands warm and protected from extreme weather.
Frostbite leaves permanent marks. According to the National Safety Council, frostbite is “the most common injury from exposure to extreme cold, typically occurring on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin.” It can cause permanent damage to workers’ hands or fingers, and may even require amputation. It is a skin cold injury, similar to burns, which can cause discoloration, swelling, numbness, tingling, blisters, and tissue necrosis.
When frostbite occurs, the affected area will appear white and waxy, and severe cases can lead to skin and deep tissue necrosis, with the skin gradually turning dark or green. In general, frostbite is more severe in areas with restricted blood flow, such as fingertips.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States states, “Cold stress can lower skin temperature, eventually leading to serious health problems and may cause tissue damage, and even death.”
Winter Gloves Analysis
Winter gloves are one of the best protective devices for keeping hands warm during the winter. Having a good pair of winter work gloves will be your most powerful tool for protecting your hands in extreme conditions.
Here are the three main features of winter gloves that you will appreciate:
- Waterproof and Windproof
- Provides insulation and moisture-wicking capabilities
- Comfortable, flexible, and ergonomic fit
Insulating Materials Used in Winter Gloves
Insulating and thermal materials used in winter work gloves generally include wool, fleece, and flannel for glove liners. The choice of glove liner depends on the work environment, outdoor temperature, glove usage, as well as comfort, fit, and feel of the gloves.
The “just right” winter gloves are the star gloves We learn from the fairy tale “Cinderella” that “the right shoes are the best fit.” Winter work gloves should fit your hands “just right,” without being too tight, which can affect blood circulation and increase sweating, or too loose, which can cause them to get caught in machinery and reduce flexibility. Therefore, choosing the right gloves is necessary.
If you have experience working outdoors in snowy environments, the cuffs of winter gloves should also be good, so they can be worn over jacket sleeves. Especially, gloves with hook-and-loop extended cuffs can provide extra protection against snow infiltration. To ensure your safety, it is recommended to choose winter work gloves that fit the size of your hands.
Multi-Functional Winter Gloves
There are many types of winter work gloves available on the market to meet various needs in different work scenarios. In addition to helping you resist the cold in extreme conditions, winter work gloves typically also have other protective functions, including:
- Cut resistance
- Puncture resistance
- Impact resistance
- Abrasion resistance
- Waterproof and windproof
- Insulation protection
- Electrically insulated
- Heat resistant
- Grip strength in wet and dry environments
AIBON Winter Gloves Protect Your Hands
Do you have the right winter gloves to protect your hands from injuries such as low temperatures, frostbite, cuts, abrasions, and punctures caused by accidents? If you need professional advice and assistance, AIBON has experienced safety experts who can help you choose gloves that suit your needs.
For more information, please visit our website www.aibonsafety.com, download our glove catalog, or call +86 15950964840 to contact us.
How to Measure Glove Sizes – Source: AIBON
Latex gloves– Source: AIBON
Safety gloves– Source: AIBON
Working gloves– Source: AIBON