Do you want to know which type of gloves can protect your hands from hazardous chemicals? According to data from the Occupational Health and Safety Department of the industry, hand injuries account for 40% to 60% of all accidents. Therefore, choosing the right work gloves is crucial.
Different types of work safety gloves have different functions, and their applicable scenarios vary. Instead of adopting a “one-size-fits-all” approach, it’s better to use a “targeted” approach, selecting the appropriate gloves for different tasks. But how can you determine whether the gloves you are using meet your needs?
When choosing the right protective gloves, the first thing to consider is the specific hazards present in your working environment. For example, if you frequently come into contact with various chemicals and infectious pathogens or have an allergy to natural latex, nitrile gloves are an option. If you need to handle mildly corrosive substances and are not allergic to natural latex, latex gloves could be suitable. For dealing with large amounts of solvents, oils, and mildly corrosive substances, neoprene gloves are recommended. You can choose the right gloves based on your environment and needs.
Cotton/Fabric Gloves:
This is the most common type of glove, usually made from cotton, yarn, or other textiles. They provide light protection for your hands and are generally suitable for most ordinary or low-risk tasks, preventing minor cuts or scrapes, though they offer little protection against punctures or cuts.
Coated Fabric Gloves:
These gloves are a step above regular cotton/fabric gloves. They are dipped in materials like rubber or PU to provide better protection against punctures, cuts, and chemical corrosion. Nitrile, PVC, and polyurethane are common coating materials, and the choice of coated gloves should be based on your specific needs.
Leather Gloves:
Leather gloves, typically made from sheepskin, cowhide, or pigskin, offer good grip, insulation, and durability. They are warmer and more durable than regular cotton/fabric gloves but may dry out, crack, or shrink under excessive heat, so they are not recommended for high-temperature environments.
Latex Gloves:
These gloves are made from natural latex extracted from rubber trees. Although thin, they are highly elastic and flexible, resistant to punctures and tears to some extent. However, they are not ideal for use with sharp tools or open flames.
Kevlar Gloves:
Kevlar gloves are made from Kevlar fibers and are known for their excellent cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance. They are commonly used in protective gear to provide superior protection and can be used as liners to enhance the performance of other gloves, offering both flexibility and durability.
Butyl Rubber Gloves:
Butyl rubber gloves, made from butyl rubber, are the best solution for handling chemicals. They offer outstanding chemical protection, resisting alcohols, ketones, nitro compounds, acids, alkalis, and other harmful substances, as well as being able to withstand extreme temperatures, wear, oxidation, and ozone corrosion.
Anti-Vibration/Impact-Resistant Gloves:
These gloves are specifically designed to reduce the effects of prolonged vibration, offering functionality to absorb vibrations and prevent impact. They are commonly used in manufacturing, automotive, and construction industries, where workers often use vibrating tools for extended periods.
Puncture-Resistant Gloves:
These gloves are designed to prevent hands from being cut or punctured, offering protection against sharp objects. They are commonly used in industries like construction, catering, and warehousing, where manual cutting is required.
Aluminized Gloves:
Aluminized gloves are the best type of gloves for working in high-temperature environments. The outer layer is covered with aluminum foil, which effectively reflects heat radiation, providing strong heat resistance to protect you from high temperatures and heat radiation. They can protect your hands even at temperatures up to 2,000ºF, making them ideal for use in steel mills, glass manufacturing, foundries, and welding environments.
Choosing the Right Type of Work Gloves:
Understanding the safety challenges of a job can help you choose the right hand protection. Start by identifying the hazards, then explore work safety glove options to find the best solution.
Your hands depend on you! Want to learn more about health and safety? Choosing Aibon is definitely the right choice.
How to Measure Glove Sizes – Source: AIBON
Latex gloves– Source: AIBON
Safety gloves– Source: AIBON
Working gloves– Source: AIBON