Rigger Gloves

Rigger gloves are a great option for industries that face an array of hazards to the hands and knuckles, and we carry a number of safety glove options from one of our most trusted brands. MCR Safety has nearly 50 years of experience in providing safety gear and garments, and we’re still proud to carry their products. From chemical resistant gloves to cold weather work gloves to cut resistant gloves, different types of gloves can protect from heat, chemicals, arc flashes, flames, abrasion, lacerations, impact, and many other hazards faced by workers across a variety of industries. Keep scrolling to find the right pair of rigger gloves for you and your team. With so many technological advances and options available in the industry, it’s never been easier to find a glove that works for you and your team. If the options get too overwhelming, though, you can reach out to one of our safety experts to get some recommendations.

For more information on individual rigger gloves or other hand protection equipment, follow the links to their individual pages. If you’re looking for advice, recommendations, or answers to your workplace safety questions, PK Safety’s product experts are happy to help. We can be contacted via online form or by phone, and if you can’t reach us right away, our website and blog are always available.

What are rigger gloves?

Rigger gloves are gloves specifically designed for oil rig workers, but they can handle work in many other industries thanks to features designed for heavy-duty work that involves a lot of lifting and handling of rough or unfinished materials in hazardous conditions. These specialized work gloves are similar to mechanic-style gloves and have reinforced palms, usually made of leather, and padded backing with a strap to protect the knuckles. They fit loosely for quick removal in case of an emergency. While they’re especially handy for the oil and gas industry, they’re great for any job that requires heavy-duty work and continuous use, as well as jobs with hazards from abrasions, lacerations, and impacts. This protection can come with additional features for other jobs, such as protection from extreme temperatures or chemicals.

What are rigger gloves used for?

Rigger gloves are sturdy gloves designed for many different kinds of heavy-duty work. They’re especially good for working with cables. Cables typically have a rough texture that can cause injuries when handled with bare hands, which makes proper gloves with reinforced hand protection essential. However, they have many uses in addition to cable pulling and rigging. Workers in warehouses, auto mechanic shops, factories, roadwork, landscaping, construction, and other industries with serious hand-related hazards get a lot of use out of rigger gloves. These gloves are also designed with reinforcements in areas like the palms, veins, knuckles, and forefingers—areas that are very vulnerable in general, but especially on oil rigs and other industries with hand hazards.

What qualities are important in rigger gloves?

A lot of the qualities you’re looking for in a glove will depend on your industry and job, which will determine the sorts of hazards that you face when you’re at work. When you’re researching the perfect gloves for your team, though, there are some general qualities to keep in mind.

We can’t stress enough that it’s important for your rigger gloves to have reinforced areas where the hands are most vulnerable to injury. Simple protection isn’t enough—look for specific safety features like reinforced patches and doubled layers. Protective pads in the glove will protect your hands whenever tools, pipes, or machinery slip and could cause an impact. Grip is an important part of how these gloves work as well because you need to be able to maintain your grip on tools and other equipment in wet and slippery conditions.

Rigger gloves should be durable and long-lasting and designed for continual use and strenuous tasks. Many work gloves out there, because they weren’t designed for heavy-duty work or because they were poorly made, can’t stand up to the rigors required to maintain their safety features long term. Durable gloves might be a more expensive option upfront but will pay for themselves in the long run because of the money you’ll save with not having to replace them. Look for premium materials like high-quality leather when looking for rigger gloves.

A glove that’s comfortable and breathable is more likely to be worn and used. It will also make work easier because you won’t be sweating and constantly removing the gloves to dry them off or cool off. Look for materials like cotton and features that increase ventilation. This comfort extends to extreme temperatures as well—a properly-insulated glove can improve safety and productivity. Rigger gloves are often the choice for cold weather hand protection for oil and gas industries. Lightweight materials not only make the gloves more comfortable to wear, but they will also make them more dexterous, which is great on a lot of jobs.

Safety gloves that fit are also essential for comfort, safety, and productivity. If gloves have a poor fit, they could be more dangerous than not wearing gloves at all when it comes to handling heavy and dangerous materials. If they’re too tight, they can restrict movement and cause a lot of discomfort and even injuries. Gloves that have seams on the palms and across the back are usually comfortable and fit better. Also, look for hook and loop fastening on the wrist band to avoid having gloves that slip off while you’re working.