Types of Safety Gloves – A Thomas Buying Guide

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Safety gloves are articles of clothing used to partially or entirely cover the hands—and, to some extent, the arms—to provide protection to the user or otherwise improve operational efficiency (e.g., improving grip or maintaining sanitary conditions) within industrial and commercial applications. Used for applications ranging from chemical processing to electrical equipment handling, manufacturers produce a wide range of gloves made with a variety of synthetic and natural materials—e.g., cotton, rubber, plastic, etc.—and characteristics—e.g., cut, chemical, heat, cold, and abrasion resistance.

Determining which type of glove to use generally depends on the occupational environment, duration of the job, and type of conditions or contaminants associated with the application. Based on these considerations, there are several types of gloves available for industrial and commercial use, including:

• Lightweight gloves
• Disposable gloves
• Chemical and liquid-resistant gloves
• Tear, puncture, and cut resistant gloves
• Thermal proof gloves
• Impact and vibration resistant gloves
• Heavy-duty gloves

The following sections provide a brief description of the above-mentioned types of gloves.

Lightweight Gloves

Fabric and cotton gloves provide a thin barrier between the user and the materials and tools used for the application. While these lightweight gloves may offer some protection against contaminants—such as dirt or dust—and minor abrasions, they are generally not effective in guarding against cuts, punctures, burns, or strong chemicals and solvents. However, coatings, such as latex, PVC, and polyurethane, can be added to allow for minor to moderate resistance to these potential hazards.

In some cases, these gloves are also used as liners beneath more durable or effective gloves to provide better protection against low temperatures.

Disposable Gloves

Designed for single-use, disposable gloves are suitable for applications with incidental contact—i.e., little to no exposure with the potential hazard. These types of situations include guarding against minor spills, splashes, or overspray, protection against infectious agents, and material contamination prevention.

As these gloves are typically made of thin material, such as latex, neoprene, nitrile, and vinyl, they allow users to maintain some sensitivity and dexterity in their hands. However, this characteristic also makes them unsuitable for handling sharp and abrasive materials or strong chemicals for extended periods as they offer little protection against tears, punctures, or chemical burns.

Chemical and Liquid Resistant Gloves 

Chemical resistant gloves and liquid-resistant gloves are suitable to use for protection against intentional contact—i.e., long-term exposure to significant amounts—with acids, alkalis, and various other aqueous solutions. Depending on the particular chemical or solvent used in the application, these types of gloves are available in a variety of materials, including:

• Nitrile: Also known as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), this material is capable of withstanding exposure to oils, greases, and acids. However, industry professionals advise against using this material with ketones, strong oxidizing agents, and organic nitrogen-based compounds. Nitrile gloves may also be treated or lined with additional materials, such as neoprene, for additional insulation and safety sealing purposes.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Commonly known as vinyl chloride plastic, this waterproof material is suitable for use when handling a range of detergents and aqueous solutions. PVC coated gloves are commonly formulated to be germ resistant and may be used for handling diluted oxidizing agents and oil-soaked components, but they are not recommended for use with concentrated agents or solvents.
• Butyl and Neoprene: Combinations of these synthetic rubbers are used to produce gloves that are resistant to various oils and petroleum. Neoprene is also suitable for protection against alcohols, alkalis, and an array of hydraulic fluids and oil types, while butyl resists oxidation and is commonly used for processes with highly corrosive acids and solutions, such as nitric and sulfuric substances. 
• Latex: Commonly used for light-duty operations and medical and laboratory procedures, this type of glove is suitable for complex and intricate operations as they are less bulky than other, more durable and heavy-duty materials. Latex gloves are considered multi-purpose gloves and are often used in cleanrooms and for processes involving acid, ketone, and salt solutions. Additionally, they may be treated with a polyurethane coating for cleanroom applications. 
• Polyethylene: Commonly used for food handling operations, this material is used to fabricate thin, disposable gloves for operations similar to those of latex. Manufacturers also fabricate variations of these gloves that include liners for sensitive skin types.

Tear, Puncture, and Cut Resistant Gloves

Tear, puncture, and cut resistant gloves are often constructed from materials such as high-grade stainless steel or poly-para-phenylene terephthalamide (e.g., Kevlar®) and commonly feature a mesh aesthetic. Resistant to damage from sharp or abrasive objects such as glass and knives, these gloves are often ergonomically designed for a precise fit.

As mentioned previously, fabric and cotton gloves can also be used for applications that require minor to moderate abrasive or sharp material handling. When produced with linings composed of stronger materials, such as plastics, they offer even more effective abrasion or cut protection.

Thermal Proof Gloves

Thermal proof gloves, such as heat resistant gloves and cold-resistant gloves, protect against extreme temperatures and are fabricated from a variety of materials, including:

• Neoprene: Neoprene gloves are used for protection against frost and burn injuries, as in the case of firefighting gloves. Besides its thermal resistant characteristics, this flexible and durable material is effective for various operations as it outlasts and outperforms even natural rubber when exposed to extreme temperatures. Some of the common applications for these gloves include petrochemical and wire manufacturing operations.
• Aluminized Material: Aluminized material is capable of handling and withstanding extremely high temperatures (depending on the specific formula, up to and exceeding 2,000° F). Combined with the material’s insulating and reflective properties, gloves made of this material are suitable for high-temperature operations such as welding, furnace and foundry, and some laboratory applications.

Impact and Vibration Resistant Gloves

Impact-resistant gloves and vibration resistant gloves are capable of absorbing any impact and vibration which may occur during industrial operations, such as those produced during fabrication or construction work. Absorption of this energy is critical to protecting operators, especially when they may be exposed to these hazards for extended periods of time, as prolonged exposure may be detrimental to their health (e.g., case of hand-arm vibration syndrome, or HAVS).

Heavy-Duty Gloves

Some manufacturers use a combination of materials to produce heavy-duty gloves which provide even greater user protection.

• Some of the common natural materials used include variations of deerskin and cowhide leather and, for additional insulation, lining material, such as sheepskin. A durable material, leather gloves excellent gripping characteristics, as well as resist moderate heat, sparking, and cuts from sharp or abrasive materials.
• Gloves produced from a combination of natural and synthetic rubbers and leather material are effective in preventing shock and burns from electrical contact. Specifically, these rubber gloves may contain leather protectors and cuffs and be lined with insulating wool and thermal materials. These electrical gloves are typically OSHA-compliant and are considered either ozone resistant or non-ozone resistant. Both variants should be electrically tested before use and regularly after use. Some of the typical applications and processes that require these gloves include plant and facility procedures, and power utility maintenance. 

Summary

This guide provides a basic understanding of the types of safety gloves used for industrial applications.

For more information on related products, consult other Thomas guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform, where you will find information on over 500,000 commercial and industrial suppliers.

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