12 Varieties of Hand Protection Gloves (and How to Select the Appropriate One)

12 Varieties of Hand Protection Gloves (and How to Select the Appropriate One)

Conducting a thorough risk assessment is crucial to determine the type of safety gloves required.

Safety gloves are essential components of personal protective equipment (PPE) that safeguard workers from injuries in diverse industries. These gloves act as a second skin, enabling handling of hazardous materials, chemicals, and tools without compromising dexterity, crucial for proficient work execution.

However, not all gloves are alike. To ensure safety, workers must be equipped with gloves tailored to their tasks and specific hazards they may encounter.

Choosing the right safety glove involves several considerations, with the material and its protective qualities being paramount.

This article presents an overview of 12 common types of safety gloves to aid in selecting the most suitable one.

OSHA Hand Protection Requirements

Effective hand protection is mandatory. Employers are obligated to furnish employees with all necessary PPE to execute their tasks safely, including stocking appropriate gloves.

OSHA Standard 1910.138 outlines:

1910.138(a). General requirements. Employers must select and require the use of suitable hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as absorption of harmful substances through the skin, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and extreme temperatures.

1910.138(b). Selection. Employers must base glove selection on an evaluation of performance characteristics relative to tasks, environmental conditions, duration of use, identified hazards, and potential hazards.

Types of Hand Protection Gloves

• Fabric or Cotton Gloves: These gloves provide a thin, breathable layer between the skin and handled materials, offering minimal protection against punctures, jagged objects, open flames, and hot surfaces. They are ideal for maintaining cleanliness and preventing minor scrapes and abrasions. Fabric gloves are also used as liners inside larger safety gloves for added warmth.

• Coated Fabric Gloves: General-purpose gloves offering increased puncture and cut resistance, protection from concrete alkalinity, and improved chemical resistance compared to standard fabric gloves. Various coatings (e.g., latex, nitrile, polyurethane, PVC) cater to different job requirements, although some coatings may stiffen in colder temperatures and offer less insulation than uncoated gloves. They provide some chemical resistance but should not substitute dedicated chemical gloves where necessary.

• Latex and Nitrile Gloves: Commonly used in laboratories and healthcare, these gloves protect against biohazards, oils, solvents, grease, and chemicals. They are form-fitting, enhancing dexterity for precise tasks, though they do not provide adequate protection against punctures or sharp and abrasive surfaces.

• Leather Gloves: Offering good grip, spark resistance, and protection from sharp or abrasive surfaces and moderate heat levels (e.g., welding). Leather gloves are durable but may harden with excessive heat exposure and dry hands when used without a liner.

• Aluminized Gloves: Designed for heat resistance, suitable for welding, furnace work, and high-heat laboratory environments, providing insulation and reflective properties up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Kevlar Gloves: Made from a heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber, Kevlar gloves are lightweight, durable, and highly resistant to cuts and abrasions. They are also used as cut-resistant liners in various glove types.

• Puncture-Resistant Gloves: Specifically designed to prevent punctures, these gloves may use woven Kevlar or materials mimicking fish scales to deflect needles, shards, and similar hazards.

• Impact-Resistant and Vibration-Resistant Gloves: Protecting against hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), these gloves absorb impact and reduce exposure to vibrations in tasks involving grinders, jackhammers, and pneumatic tools.

• Chemical and Liquid-Resistant Gloves: Critical for preventing chemical absorption through the skin, offering protection against a wide range of substances. Various materials like butyl rubber, natural latex, neoprene, and nitrile cater to specific chemical exposure levels.

Safety Glove Selection Criteria

Selecting the appropriate glove begins with evaluating specific risks and hazards associated with the task:

• Size and fit: Ensure gloves fit properly to avoid tearing (small) or reduced dexterity (large).

• Protection versus dexterity: Balance between protection level required and necessary dexterity.

• Levels of protection: Choose gloves offering adequate protection against identified hazards.

• Wear and tear: Regularly inspect gloves for damage like tears, discoloration, or swelling.

• Expiration: Do not use gloves beyond their recommended lifespan.

This comprehensive guide ensures workers are equipped with the right safety gloves, essential for safeguarding against workplace hazards."