Types of Gloves
Understanding Glove Varieties – Nitrile, Latex and Vinyl
Shielding oneself from contact with hazardous substances is essential for everyone’s well-being and safety.
Workplaces frequently expose workers to various chemicals, substances, or materials that can inflict skin injuries or trigger allergic reactions. Certain toxic chemicals can even permeate the skin gradually and enter the bloodstream. Friction, temperature extremes, or biological work can lead to skin damage, irritation, and potential infection.
These factors underscore the significance of understanding the various types of gloves and identifying the specific kind you need for self-protection. It’s crucial to note that due to the diverse range of tasks performed, no single glove can satisfy everyone’s needs. The choice of gloves should be determined by the materials being handled and the nature of the work.
Given the vast array of gloves available in the market, selecting the most suitable glove type for your application can be quite perplexing.
Gloves can be divided into glove types, materials, safety considerations and ratings/standards.
Single or multiuse gloves
Glove Material: Nitrile, Vinyl or Latex
Glove test ratings
Understanding Disposable Gloves vs Reusable Gloves
Disposable gloves are thin, usually between 101 to 202 microns thick, offering good touch sensitivity and dexterity for the user. However, their resistance to chemicals is limited. They’re designed to protect against accidental, not intentional, chemical contact and should be replaced after any exposure. These gloves are meant for a one-time use and should never be used again. Disposable gloves might not be suitable for handling aggressive or highly hazardous chemicals, as they can tear or puncture easily, offering limited protection against physical hazards.
On the other hand, reusable gloves, with a thickness ranging from 457 to 711 microns, provide more substantial protection against abrasion and other physical hazards. They are less prone to tearing and offer longer resistance against chemical attacks. However, these gloves may hamper dexterity and touch sensitivity, and can still be damaged or penetrated by various chemicals. To extend their lifespan, they require proper care. Reusable gloves usually feature a longer cuff length than disposable ones made from the same material, providing better protection against liquids dripping over the glove’s top.
When it comes to the care of reusable gloves, they need to be washed and dried after each use to prevent accidental skin contamination the next time they are worn. This is particularly important if the work involved the handling or immersion of chemicals that can seep into the glove material. If the gloves are frequently reused, they should occasionally be turned inside out, and the inner surface should be washed and rinsed off. Prior to each use, reusable gloves should be inspected for discoloration, cracks at flexion points, or damage, and discarded if any defects are found. Similarly, if the inside gets contaminated, they should be immediately disposed of.
Understanding Incidental and Intentional Contact with Glove Guard, Canada
Incidental contact pertains to situations where there’s no planned direct touch with hazardous substances. Exposure happens only in cases of splashes or spills. Most types of disposable gloves can offer sufficient protection under these circumstances as long as they are immediately replaced after any chemical splash or spill.
Conversely, intentional contact implies tasks where interacting with hazardous materials is unavoidable, such as immersing hands in liquids, handling a substance directly instead of its container, or dealing with materials soaked or coated with hazardous substances, like a cleaning rag. This entails prolonged exposure to significant amounts of hazardous substances. When choosing a glove for protection against intentional chemical contact, selecting one made from a material that resists the specific chemicals in use is essential. This often necessitates a reusable glove.
Understanding Cut-Rated Gloves
Cut Rated gloves have undergone testing under the EN388 Glove Standards, assessing their protection against risks such as abrasions, cuts, tear, and puncture. In many sectors, wearing Cut Rated gloves is a mandatory requirement as per Occupational Health & Safety regulations.
Discover more about the significance of Cut Rated gloves by exploring the Komodo® Vigilant Cut Hazard Management System. Cut Rated Gloves are produced in Hi-Vis colours in this system, tying hazards and tasks to Hi-Vis colours to ensure regulatory compliance. In many industries, these gloves are required to be worn at all times as a part of occupational health and safety standards.