Which protective gloves should I choose?

Protective gloves are part of personal protective equipment (PPE) and are designed to protect the wearer's hands.

In industry, gloves have a wide variety of applications: manual handling of loads, thermal protection against heat/cold, protection against electrical hazards, chemical agents, cuts, etc.

The physical properties of gloves depend fundamentally on the materials they are made of.

The choice will be based on the type of work to be done!

When buying protective gloves, make sure you choose a model that is resistant to the products to be handled, comfortable and certified, i.e. that fulfils the requirements defined by the applicable standards.

How to choose protective gloves?

Industrial workers can be exposed to different risks:

mechanical risks (crushing, cuts, punctures);

thermal risks (heat, cold);

chemical risks (handling pure chemicals or mixtures);

electrical risks (electric shocks, electric arcs, electrocution).

Gloves should be chosen according to the task at hand. Will there be contact with dangerous substances? Are they wet or oily?

The choice of gloves will also depend on the characteristics of the exposure to the hazardous substance. Will it be continuous or intermittent exposure? How deep will the glove be immersed? Which areas need to be protected (hands, wrists, arms)?

Important: thin gloves don't offer as much protection as thicker, sturdier gloves, but they do provide the user with greater sensitivity and dexterity. You therefore have to find a compromise between the level of protection and the dexterity required for handling.

Short gloves are suitable for protecting against liquid splashes. In the event of immersion, opt for long gloves, depending on the depth of immersion expected.

The gloves should be comfortable for the wearer, neither too big nor too small so as not to hinder work.

As far as latex gloves are concerned, allergies to this material are increasingly common, but there are alternatives such as nitrile.

Last but not least, there is perspiration on the inside of the gloves, which can be very annoying for the wearer. To reduce the effects of perspiration, don't hesitate to wear cotton gloves under your protective gloves.

What are the different types of protective gloves?

There are different types of protective gloves and the choice should be based on the risk(s) to which the operator is subject.

-Mechanical protection gloves

They fulfil the requirements defined by standard EN 388.

They are resistant to abrasion, cutting, tearing and perforation.

In general, resistance is rated from 0 to 4. The higher the value, the higher the level of protection the equipment offers.

Protective gloves against mechanical risks account for 80 per cent of the protective glove market.

-Chemical protection gloves

They fulfil the requirements defined by standard EN 374.

They are resistant to the permeation of chemical products (methanol, caustic soda, sulphuric acid, etc.).

-Thermal protection gloves (heat and fire)

They fulfil the requirements defined by the EN 407 standard.

They are flammability resistant and protect against contact heat, convection heat, radiant heat and molten metal splashes.

-Thermal protection gloves (cold)

They fulfil the requirements defined by the EN 511 standard.

They are waterproof and resistant to convective and contact cold.

-Protective gloves against electrical hazards

They fulfil the requirements defined by standard EN 60903.

Insulating gloves, or dielectric gloves, protect the wearer from electric shock and the thermal risks of an electric arc during live work.

They are often made of natural rubber.

Important: when working with wet or oily products, use gloves with a rough outer texture for a better grip.

-Cotton and fabric gloves

These are the most common general-purpose gloves.

They do not offer a high level of protection (thin coating).

They can prevent minor scratches, but not burns and cuts.

They are sometimes worn under other types of protective gloves in order to absorb perspiration.

Scope of use: handling fragile objects.

-Fabric-covered gloves

They offer protection against certain moderately concentrated chemicals.

Scope of use: laboratories.

-Mesh gloves

The metal mesh lining is sewn to the fabric.

These gloves are the most resistant to punctures and cuts.

Fields of use: agri-food sector, carpentry.

-Leather gloves

Protects hands from sparks and moderate heat.

They are resistant to cuts and abrasion.

They offer good grip and electrical insulation.

However, when exposed to high temperatures, the leather begins to dry out and become brittle.

Scope of use: welding work.

-Latex gloves

They are resistant to chemicals, oils, solvents and micro-organisms.

They provide comfort and excellent dexterity and are therefore often used for precision work.

They are characterised by high elasticity and robustness.

Powdered latex gloves are easier to put on and biodegradable.

As they are thin, they have no resistance to perforation or heat.

It's worth remembering that many people are allergic to latex.

Fields of use: food, chemical, oil and medical industries.

-Butyl rubber gloves

They don't absorb liquids and offer protection against acids (nitric acid, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, peroxide, etc.).

They resist heat and cold, as well as abrasion and corrosion.

Scope of use: oil industry

-Kevlar gloves

They are highly durable.

They are resistant to cuts and abrasion.

They protect against extreme heat and cold.

They are robust, without affecting dexterity.

They are often worn under other gloves.

Scope of use: all industrial sectors.

-Aluminised gloves

They are reflective and insulating.

They offer excellent protection against contact heat for temperatures up to 1000°C.

Fields of use: welding work, furnaces, foundries, laboratories.

-Vinyl gloves

They are suitable for handling non-hazardous substances and materials.

They have antistatic properties

To make them easier to put on, they are lightly sprinkled on the inside.

They are less durable.

Scope of use: food industry.

-Nitrile gloves

Made from synthetic rubber, they are a good alternative to latex for people who are allergic to it.

They offer good chemical protection against chlorinated solvents as well as mechanical protection.

They are particularly suitable for working in damp or oily environments.

They have a high level of impermeability and good thermal resistance (250°C).

They are puncture-resistant.

They have little resistance to ketones and halogenated products.

Fields of use: chemical, automotive and food industries.

-PVC gloves

They are very resistant to acids, impermeable to water, alcohols and detergents.

They are insulating and airtight.

They offer a low level of protection against halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Fields of use: food, chemical and oil industries.

-Neoprene gloves

They protect against petroleum products, hydraulic fluids, alcohols and organic acids.

They are flexible and comfortable.

They offer limited protection against mechanical risks.

They are not very resistant to aromatic solvents.

Fields of use: automotive industry, chemical industry, industrial cleaning.

-Polyurethane gloves

They are abrasion and tear resistant.

When to wear powdered gloves?

Powdered gloves are usually made of latex, vinyl or nitrile. They have two advantages:

They moderate perspiration.

They're easy to put on and take off.

For which applications?

Powdered gloves are particularly suitable for working in laboratories and hospitals.

They are also suitable for order preparers.

What uses are not recommended?

It is not advisable to use powdered gloves in the food sector, as cornstarch powder could mix with food products.

The powder can cause an allergic reaction in the wearer. Recently, in the United States, the use of powdered surgical gloves was banned because they allegedly cause serious respiratory problems in patients.

In www.norsafe.pt In www.norsafe.pt you'll find a wide range of gloves that are sure to meet your needs.

If you have any questions, please contact us at store@norsafe.pt.