SAFETY GLOVES
HAND IN GLOVE
Jack Smithson, content editor at Davpack, guides us through the top five glove materials for protecting hands from harm at work.
The makers of a popular brand of washing up liquid used to claim “hands that do dishes [could] be soft as your face” if you used their product, yet people still used to don a pair of rubber gloves before doing the washing up.
In the workplace, the potential dangers to hands are far greater – especially if you’re handling sharp and/or heavy items, things with a slippery surface, chemicals or solvents. To keep your hands safe, you’ll usually need something tougher than a pair of Marigolds and these materials are some of the best you can get.
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LATEX Latex gloves are popular in a
wide range of applications, but are especially good in industries such as catering, agriculture, and printing. They’re made from natural rubber and are usually supplied lightly powdered, to make them easier to get on, although un-powdered gloves are also available for those prone to skin irritation.
The main advantage to latex is that it allows for just about the same level of dexterity as if you weren’t wearing gloves at all. They have traditionally been the gloves of choice in medicine because they provide reliable protection against infections and blood-borne pathogens.
Unfortunately, allergies to latex are increasingly common, which has led to a move to nitrile gloves in many cases. Nevertheless, if you’re not prone to skin irritation, these offer just about the best combination of value and effectiveness you’re likely to find.
40 2
NITRILE Nitrile gloves are similar to latex in
that they allow for maximum dexterity, but they are also resistant to a wider range of chemicals (such as solvents, oils, greases, and some acids and bases) and offer far greater puncture resistance. Unlike latex, nitrile gloves also split when they get punctured, which means that the wearer is going to be more quickly aware of the potential for any contamination.
The other main advantage of nitrile gloves over latex gloves is that they’re far less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Outside of the chemical industry and medicine, this type of glove is popular among gardeners, food handlers, mechanics, and even tattoo artists.
3
GRIPPER As the name implies, gripper
gloves ensure you get a good hold on whatever it is you need to carry – no matter how cold or wet the conditions in which you’re working. They are especially popular in the construction industry, as continual outdoor work in all seasons might otherwise lead to hands left numb by the cold or slippery by the rain.
Gripper gloves are also a good choice when handling packaging: bare hands can easily slip when carrying heavy cardboard boxes, for instance, so these gloves go a long way to help maintain a strong grip and prevent injuries. The grip enhancements are usually provided by a tread pattern or embossed texture (molded rubber, for instance) on the palm. If the glove has
a latex or nitrile base, you should still be able to benefit from a good level of dexterity as well.
4
RIGGER Like gripper gloves, rigger gloves
are very popular in the construction industry. However, these are more heavy duty due to mostly being made from leather – especially around vulnerable parts like the knuckles and fingertips. The extra thickness also means they’re the best choice for keeping hands warm, and they offer the best protection against puncturing.
Gardeners are well advised to invest in a pair, particularly if you’re working with nettles, brambles, or thorny plants, such as roses. What you don’t get with rigger gloves, though, is any kind of dexterity, so you won’t be able to manage anything fiddly.
5
KEVLAR If you think rigger gloves
are tough, you’ll struggle to find anything to match this all-round super-protective option. Kevlar is a material that is also used for making bulletproof vests, so if you’re looking for the very best protection against punctures, cuts, and abrasions – this is it. The other thing Kevlar offers is superb heat resistance, so they won’t burn, melt or support combustion. Finally, because Kevlar is a relatively thin material, you can still carry out tasks requiring dexterity.
www.davpack.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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