Safety glove is one of the most important elements in PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). It is considered the first line of defense in protecting the workers from serious injury or risk. Gloves are to be used in various industries for performing many different applications ranging from electrical handling to chemical processing. Whenever we are doing a job or task, we have to make sure that we are wearing the most suitable and safest glove that is required for the job at our hands. The right glove is not only protecting our hand but also helps to improve operational efficiency and maintain sanitary conditions. Several factors we need to consider when choosing the proper safety glove such as the purpose, tensile strength, thickness, puncture, coating, elasticity, and the requirements of chemical resistance or other characteristics like abrasion resistance, heat or cold resistance. Each type of glove comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. When choosing the work gloves, we have to make sure that the glove fits our hands’ size to ensure proper usage and safety. The thickness of the glove is measured in mils and generally ranging from 2 to 15 mils. The thicker of the glove can provide greater protection, but it may reduce the touch sensitivity that makes it harder to work with.
Below we have listed down the common types of safety gloves, their applications as well as their pros and cons.
Cotton/Fabric Gloves
Cotton or fabric gloves are sometimes also known as liners. It is thin, breathable, and able to provide basic protection to prevent abrasions and scrapes. However, it provides the least protection against some hazards such as hot surfaces, open flames, jagged/sharp materials. Cotton gloves are usually used for moving items or doing general works that help to prevent blisters and light abrasions.
Coated Fabric Gloves
Coated fabric gloves are the popular glove for general purposes. It can offer greater protection than standard fabric gloves, such as higher-level protection against some moderate chemicals, and offer some puncture and slip resistance. It is generally more durable than uncoated fabric gloves. Few coatings available like PVC, Latex, Polyurethane, or Nitrile. Each coating is suitable for different tasks and we should examine properly our requirements before selecting the right coating. Although this kind of glove is widely used in the market, it may found not flexible to use while under a colder environment, and unable to be used for the task related to the heat process since it is not heat resistant. It is also unable to provide adequate protection against specific chemicals or sharp/abrasive surfaces.
Leather Gloves
Leather gloves are made of the tanned hides of various animals like pigskin, cowhide, goatskin, deerskin, etc. The quality of leather may vary as it is a natural product. Due to the inherent characteristics of the animal, each type of leather provides different levels of durability, protection, comfort, and dexterity. The leather glove is popular to be used by welder when doing steel welding works as it is durable, great fit, able to handle sparks, and moderate levels of heats. It can also provide a good grip on the objects and protect our hands against certain cuts, sharp or abrasive surfaces. The leather glove is available in a variety of built-in liners that provide added comfort and warmth such as winter lining or Kevlar that has made it a preferred choice for industrial protection.
Aluminized Gloves
Aluminized glove possesses a high level of heat resistance as it is manufactured with insulating and reflective features that is able to provide heat protection of up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Its aluminized surface can reflect most of the radiant heat and the lining can reduce the conduction of heat. It is ideal to be used in the welding operation, foundry & furnace work, baking industry, steel mills, laboratories, or other environment operations that need to handle a high level of heat.
Kevlar Gloves
Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that is durable, lightweight, flexible, and stronger than steel. Kevlar gloves can provide great resistance to abrasions and cuts due to the strength of the fibers with the tightness of the weave. This has made Kevlar gloves become the best suited for those working with sharp tools and knives. Kevlar gloves also can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. It can handle a temperature of up to 850 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t break down in a low-temperature environment, unlike other plastic materials. Gloves made of Kevlar also can protect us from chemicals, but a long period of exposure to chlorine bleach or acids will still break down the fabric. In this case, it is not considered as a preferred choice for those tasks working with chemicals frequently. In addition, Kevlar is commonly used as a lining to support other types of gloves.
Chemical Resistant Safety Gloves
Chemical resistant gloves are used to protect our hands against intentional contact of chemicals or solvents, in a significant amount and long period of exposure. The chemical-resistant glove can be made of different types of materials and each is targeted for handling different types of chemicals and solvents. We should choose the right chemical-resistant glove according to the type and strength of the chemical. We must follow strictly the regulation to ensure correct protection on our hands. Below iare the common types of chemical-resistant safety gloves:
Natural Latex / Rubber Gloves are comfortable, versatile, multi-purpose and normally used for light-duty applications in laboratory, medical or cleanroom for processing the items involve ketone, acids, alkalis, or salt solutions. The main disadvantages of latex glove are it may cause allergy to some people and it is not strong enough for extended use.
Nitrile Rubber Gloves are made of nitrile butadiene rubber. It is a great alternative for latex gloves as it offers stronger resistance to punctures and chemicals. Nitrile gloves are good at withstanding petroleum oils, gasoline, greases, solvents, or some acids and bases. However, it is not advisable to use this material with strong oxidizing agents, ketones, or other organic nitrogen-based compounds. Nitrile rubber gloves are widely used in the automotive or aeronautical industry for fuel and oil handling.
Butyl Rubber Gloves are used for protecting against chemicals like Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid. This type of glove is flexible in a low-temperature environment, also abrasion and oxidation resistant.
Neoprene Gloves are high density with good pliability and strong tear-resistant. It is commonly used for handling hydraulic fluids, alcohols, gasoline, or organic acids.
The glove is a necessity in many industries for different applications. Especially due to the pandemic covid-19, gloves are in high demand for personal protection in medical and chemical fields. It is critical for us to identify the types and purposes of the glove in order to choose the best glove for our needs. MecHero Malaysia supplies a variety of gloves for meeting your project requirements. You can always contact us at +6011-7000 7687 or email us at my.mechero@gmail.com for an inquiry about the nail gun for industrial or home use. As a steel and online hardware store Malaysia, we also supply a wide range of steel material, general hardware, or mechanical components. Tell us your requirements now and we can advise you accordingly.
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