PROTECT YOUR HANDS AND YOUR JOB

Personal protective equipment is vital in any workplace. From hard hats to steel-toed boots, there are many ways to maximise our safety at work. One extensive area of PPE is gloves. Our hands are susceptible to all kinds of damage.

From chemical spills in the lab to the harsh impact of power tools, there are many hazards to be cautious of and take measures to protect against. In this guide, we highlight the broad range of protective hand gear. We will also explain how they work and when you need to use them.

ANTI IMPACT GLOVES

ANTI-IMPACT GLOVES WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY. NOW THEY ARE COMMONLY FOUND ACROSS THE MINING, MANUFACTURING, AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES. THEY USE THERMOPLASTIC RUBBER (TPR) TO ABSORB AND DISPERSE THE ENERGY FROM IMPACTS. THIS REDUCES THE IMPACT ENERGY ON YOUR HAND AND PROTECTS YOU FROM BROKEN BONES AND POTENTIAL MUSCLE, TENDON, OR LIGAMENT DAMAGE.

Anti Vibration Gloves

Initially created to protect from occupational impact hazards, anti-impact gloves have expanded to include anti-vibration gloves which provide shock absorption.

Anti-vibration gloves utilise several protective barriers dampening the vibrations from power tools. These include resilient gel, foam, or an air pocket. Anti-vibration gloves are used in jobs that involve repeated or prolonged use of power tools.

Chemical Protection Gloves

Accidental contact with chemicals can have many harmful effects. Chemical protection gloves help protect hands against accidental spills and other work-related exposure to chemicals. They vary from single-use latex gloves to heavy-duty protective gauntlets.

There is a variety of materials used for chemical protective gloves. Which material is best depends on the chemicals they'll be in contact with. If the gloves also handle abrasive materials, neoprene or butyl gloves may be required. Chemical protective gloves are used in laboratories, cleaning, and the medical industry.

Cut Gloves

Cut proof gloves are designed to protect lacerations. They can withstand cuts and abrasions, protecting against sharp objects. Several elements make an effective cut-resistant glove:

1. The strength of the material used to create the yarn -The yarn of cut gloves is typically para-aramid or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE).

2. A glove's hardness (ability to dull a blade) - This is achieved by engineering hard materials such as steel or glass fibre into the yarn.

3. How the filament fibres which make up the yarn move together.

Cut-resistant gloves are worn in the automotive and construction industries and jobs that require handling glass or sharp metals.

Cold Protection Gloves

Cold protection gloves are an essential piece of PPE. When working in walk-in freezers or cold winter conditions outdoors, you face several risks. You could suffer frostnip or frostbite in more extreme conditions without proper cold protection. Your hands are particularly susceptible as vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to your extremities. Furthermore, reduced mobility from cold hands can increase the risk of accidents.

Cold PPE gloves have several layers, often including thermal latex or acrylic layers. This allows cold protection whilst maintaining dexterity. Another issue you may face in colder or wet climates is a lack of grip. Many cold protection gloves offer additional grip too.

Protection For All Work Environments

Organisations should take every measure to protect workers. Employees should also take appropriate steps to protect themselves and maintain workplace safety. There are many ways to do this, from following correct procedures to wearing the appropriate PPE.

Work safety gloves are just one element of this, but they are a vitally important part of workplace safety. Whether you work in cold climates, handle chemicals or operate power tools, safety gloves can help you reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries.