Work gloves are personal protective equipment designed specifically to protect your hands from injury during work. Choosing the right and appropriate pair of work gloves will make your tasks much easier and more efficient. The following will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of work gloves so you can make the best choice.
Types of Work Gloves
Clearly, “work gloves” is a broad term, and there are numerous types. Each type has its own function and capability. Below, we will outline several commonly used work gloves.
Leather Gloves
Leather gloves are generally made from animal hides such as deer, goat, or cow. They are favored for their excellent durability, comfort, and the softness provided by their fleece lining. Leather gloves are highly resistant to cold and can protect your hands in cold weather and environments. They are lightweight, snug-fitting, and suitable for tasks that require fine motor skills.
Their outstanding abrasion resistance, tear resistance, and puncture resistance make them the ideal choice for heavy-duty work environments like construction sites or material handling. In addition, the extra grip ensures that tasks in mechanical processing, assembly, and maintenance are safer, helping to prevent hand injuries from scratches, wear, or prolonged driving fatigue. Leather gloves are versatile enough to handle dynamic and complex work conditions.
Cotton Gloves
Cotton gloves are made from high-quality cotton fibers that are excellent at absorbing sweat and moisture. They offer excellent softness and breathability, making them comfortable for long-term wear. These gloves are suitable for light work with low protective requirements and environments that are not high-risk. They are a practical and cost-effective option.
Nitrile-Coated Work Gloves
Nitrile coated work gloves are made from cotton, polyester, nylon, and other high-performance materials, then dipped in nitrile synthetic rubber. Nitrile has inherent properties such as oil resistance, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, and chemical resistance. The gloves made from nitrile are strong and durable. Compared to latex-coated gloves, nitrile gloves do not cause allergic reactions, making them the perfect choice for those who are allergic to natural latex.
Latex-Coated Work Gloves
Latex-coated gloves are similar in production to nitrile-coated gloves, with the difference being that the coating material is latex rather than nitrile. These gloves offer waterproof, slip-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and tear-resistant features, ensuring a strong grip even in wet or greasy conditions. Their elastic nature makes them fit snugly, without affecting finger dexterity.
Note: Some people may be allergic to the proteins in natural latex. To avoid harm, it is recommended to opt for nitrile-coated gloves instead.
Cut-Resistant Safety Gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are designed to prevent injuries from sharp objects such as knives, metal shards, glass fragments, or cutting machines. The materials commonly used include HPPE, Kevlar, and fiberglass, which provide effective protection from sharp objects, are abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, and oil-resistant. However, they may not offer puncture resistance.
How to Choose the Right Work Gloves for You
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which work gloves are best for you. You need to make the optimal choice based on your specific needs. The best gloves for others may not be the best gloves for you.
That said, there are a few basic considerations when choosing work gloves. First, you need to clearly define the functions you require from the gloves, which will depend on the specific work environment.
Second, the size should be appropriate—neither too tight nor too loose, ensuring that the fingers have enough flexibility and mobility.
Finally, consider the certifications and the level of protection the gloves offer. Some gloves are designed for light protection with fewer certifications, while others provide heavy-duty protection against cuts, punctures, and other hazards, naturally offering more certifications.
How to Maintain Your Work Gloves
Regular Cleaning
Clean the interior and exterior of the gloves based on the material and usage. Follow the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid unnecessary damage.
Avoid Extreme Environments
Do not expose gloves to excessively high or low temperatures, especially materials that are sensitive to heat or cold, such as rubber gloves that become hard and brittle when exposed to cold.
Storage
When storing gloves, avoid folding them. Place them in a well-ventilated, dry area, and keep them out of direct sunlight, as UV rays can damage the material structure of the gloves.
Check for Wear
Regularly inspect the gloves for signs of wear, especially for high-intensity gloves like mechanical or cut-resistant gloves. Replace them immediately if damaged.
Conclusion
Based on the information above, you should now have a basic understanding of work gloves, their types, how to choose the best pair for yourself, and how to maintain them properly. If you are interested in work gloves or want to make a purchase, feel free to contact us. Aibon will be happy to assist you throughout the entire process.
How to Measure Glove Sizes – Source: AIBON
Latex gloves– Source: AIBON
Safety gloves– Source: AIBON
Working gloves– Source: AIBON