What are the Different Glove Types you should know about?

In the world of PPE, hand protection PPE, or safety gloves, are a necessity for workers. These gloves protect these workers from multiple hazards, so choosing the right ones is crucial. Moreover, since the workers wear them during their working hours, it is necessary that they feel comfortable wearing them. Different glove types help in protecting from hazards like cuts, punctures, chemicals, and other hazards, as well as do not compromise the comfort & dexterity of the same. In the article, we will look at a few glove types that have seldom been mentioned.

How to choose the right glove type?

There are different glove types available in the market, and choosing the right one ensures that the worker’s safety is protected against the hazard. Use of the wrong glove type may increase the likelihood of the risk and will cause a safety lapse. Using the wrong glove type will defeat the purpose of donning the safety gloves, so choosing the right one after identifying the hazards & risk factors becomes vital. 

For example, if a worker uses a tool where gripping the tool is necessary, wearing electrical safety gloves with minimal grip may increase the chance of slipping the tool and thus increase the probability of injuries. So, for specific hazards, there are different glove types that one should wear.

Do you want to know the detailed procedure for choosing the correct safety gloves? Check out our blog on safety gloves selection.

What is the primary factor for safety gloves selection?

The primary factor for safety glove selection is the material of the safety gloves as they decide the properties of the hand gloves that help in protection against hazards. Several factors go into selecting the appropriate safety gloves. But arguably, the most important is the material that the glove is made from and the protection that material provides.

Did you know?

The employer must ensure that their employees have proper PPE, which ensures protection according to the hazards of the workplace. OSHA has laid down the standard for employers & their role in employee’s PPE. Interested ones can check out OSHA PPE rules.

6 Different Glove Types that you did not know about

Coated Fabric Gloves

These are all-purpose gloves with chemical resistance (especially against alkalis), improved cut resistance, scratch resistance, and puncture resistance. The coating material decides the extent of the resistance. The right type of coating should be decided after hazard identification. The disadvantage of these gloves is many people have complained that the gloves are not comfortable & flexible enough, especially in cold weather. The choices of coating materials are polyurethane, PVC, neoprene, nitrile, and latex. 

PU coating - Polyurethane coating improves dexterity, flexibility, and grip. They protect protection against various cleaning chemicals & oils. PU coating has two major disadvantages. The first is low heat resistance, and the second one is durability. Owing to the low coating cost, PU is highly preferred. 

Tip - Choosing a proper fit for PU-coating gloves is vital.

PVC coating - Also called vinyl, the coating offers improved grip, durability, chemical resistance (select chemicals only), and abrasion resistance. It has two significant disadvantages too. The PVC-coated gloves have poor puncture resistance & cut resistance. Moreover, dexterity is not something to boast about. PVC-coated gloves are highly recommended for people with latex allergies.

Neoprene coating - Neoprene-coated gloves are the best in flexibility, dexterity, durability, chemical resistance, cut resistance, and abrasion resistance. 

Cotton Gloves

Before the onset of synthetic materials, people had chosen between cotton & leather hand gloves. Now, these gloves are not popular. Cotton gloves must be donned, only if one wants to keep their hands free from dust & dirt. They do provide abrasion resistance & heat resistance, but they aren’t meant for any hazard protection. Owing to their low cost these gloves are used as liners. Liners are gloves donned inside other gloves for warmth, dexterity, and breathability. Check out the article on cotton gloves for detailed information.

Industries where the gloves are worn -

Agriculture & horticulture

Construction industries

Manufacturing industries

Automotive Industries

Food industries

Aluminized Gloves

These gloves are specialty ones donned for high heat resistance (up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit). They come with a wool liner for dexterity & insulation purposes.

Industries where the gloves are worn -

Construction industries

Manufacturing industries

Baking industries

Research Laboratories

Kevlar Gloves

Kevlar is the same material that is used for manufacturing bulletproof jackets. These gloves look like fish skin and are designed for the highest cut resistance, puncture resistance, heat resistance, abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and scratch resistance. Moreover, Kevlar gloves are highly durable & lightweight. Owing to their high costs these gloves are rarely procured. Hence, Kevlar gloves are used as liners.

Industries where the gloves are worn -

Firefighting

Manufacturing industries

Automobile industries

Butyl Rubber Gloves

These gloves are widely used for their chemical-resistant & permeation-resistant properties. Butyl rubber protects against a wide range of chemicals, which include acids, alkalis, organic compounds, peroxides, and fuels. Additionally, they provide abrasion resistance too.

Industries where the gloves are worn -

Chemical industries

Manufacturing industries

Vibration Resistant Gloves

One may presume why one requires protection against vibrations, but the safety experts are trying to create awareness of HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome), which occurs due to continuous prolonged exposure to vibrations. Vibration-resistant gloves help absorb the vibrations and protect the individual from the effects.

Industries where the gloves are worn -

Construction industries

Manufacturing industries

Automotive Industries

Are you looking for disposable gloves? Interested ones can check out our article on PPE disposable gloves.

Conclusion

Grabbing the first pair of safety gloves you spot for your job is the wrong practice. After appropriate hazard identification, one must choose the correct safety gloves. In most cases, the selection of the type of safety gloves may be a hassle. Our article throws light on the lesser-discussed glove types. We know you’re well aware of nitrile, latex & vinyl gloves, but did you know about vibration-resistant gloves? The article will help you widen your search perspective while choosing the correct safety gloves.

Choosing the correct type of safety gloves is not merely a personal choice. It is a decision taken by the employer or the safety expert based on the hazards & risks. Every pair of gloves is created to protect their wearer from a particular set of perils. So, choosing the right one for your workplace is necessary. For example, experts highly recommend Butyl rubber gloves when handling various chemicals. The six different glove types mentioned in the article tackle hazards. We hope that the article emphasized the lesser-known glove types.