Your hands are one of your most valuable tools, so picking the right safety gloves for your job is crucial for hand protection. You may feel overwhelmed with all the options out there, so consider these factors to help find the gloves that best fit your needs.
Chemicals
Chemical hazards come in many forms, which makes the right PPE essential. Whether your hands are splashed or immersed, the exposure duration long or short, or the chemical in liquid, gas, powder, or vapor form, find a glove that will keep your hands safest.
Temperatures
Extreme temperatures, from the environment or from things workers touch, can lead to serious injuries. They can also be uncomfortable, so look for gloves that can help withstand those conditions as comfortably as possible.
Cuts, Punctures, and Abrasion
Cut-resistant gloves are designed to protect against slashes from blades. When choosing gloves for workers, consider whether they’ll need protection from abrasion (from rough surfaces) and punctures (from jagged edges or needles) as well.
Protection or Dexterity?
Gloves with a thinner gauge material provide more dexterity, but thicker-gauge gloves offer greater hand protection. Consider what you’ll be doing with your hands versus the kinds of hazards you face when choosing your gloves.
Care Requirements
If there’s a lot of contamination on your job, use disposable gloves (over reusable gloves if needed), dispose of them properly, and wash your hands after removing them. Follow manufacturer guidelines for laundering and caring for reusable gloves, monitor them for signs of wear, and replace them if they’re looking worn out.
Visit our resources article How to Pick the Best Safety Gloves for Your Job to learn more.