How to Choose Protective Gloves?

In industrial environments, operators may face various risks.

 

• Mechanical risks (crushing, cutting, puncture)

 

• Thermal risks (heat, cold)

 

• Chemical risks (handling pure chemicals or mixtures)

 

• Electrical risks (electric shock, arcing, electrocution)

 

Determine task and exposure time

The gloves you choose depend on the nature of task to be performed. Will you be exposed to hazardous substances? Will these substances be wet or oily?

 

The gloves you choose also depend on the nature of exposure to hazardous substances. The exposure will be prolonged or intermittent? Will the gloves be fully or partially soaked? Which parts of the body need to be protected, hands, wrists or arms?

 

Note: thin gloves offer less protection than thick, sturdy gloves, but allow for greater flexibility of operator. Therefore, it is a trade-off between protection level and mobility. Short gloves are suitable for simple splashes, but for full immersion, user should choose longer gloves than the immersion depth.

 

Consider comfort of operator

The gloves must be comfortable for the user and should not be too large or too small, which may hinder operator's work. Please refer to manufacturer' s sizing guide to find the correct glove size.

 

Note: if you cannot find gloves in your size, it is better to choose smaller gloves rather than larger ones. Latex allergies are increasingly common in recent days and require precautions. In such cases, the alternatives of nitrile gloves are available.

 

Finally, hands may sweat inside gloves, which will bring bothersome to operators. To reduce the effect of sweat, cotton gloves can be worn under the protective gloves.