A Look at Different Types of Protective Safety Gloves

As a society, we've come a long way from the time of using bear skins as oven mitts. With the advancement of technology and safety standards, we now have a plethora of gloves to choose from. Each style of glove with its own unique purpose. So grab a-hold of your sense of humor and let's get our hands dirty diving into the world of protective gloves!
As the saying goes, "a good carpenter never blames his tools", but we'd like to add, "a safe carpenter always protects their hands". Whether you're working in construction, performing laboratory experiments, or handling hazardous materials, the right gloves can make all the difference in keeping you safe and sound. In this article, we'll take a closer look at different types of protective gloves and help you choose the best gloves for you to work safe.
What Types of Safety Gloves Are Available?
Cut-resistant gloves: made from materials like Kevlar or steel and are designed to protect hands from cuts and abrasions. - Occupation examples: construction worker, metal worker
Chemical-resistant gloves: made from materials that protect against hazardous chemicals and liquids. - Occupation examples: laboratory worker, chemical handler
Heat-resistant gloves: made from materials that protect against high temperatures. - Occupation examples: welder, cook
Impact-resistant gloves: made from materials that absorb shock and protect against impact. - Occupation examples: mechanic, demolition worker
Electrical-insulated gloves: made from materials that insulate against electrical hazards. - Occupation examples: electrician, lineman
Cold-resistant gloves: made from materials that protect against cold temperatures. - Occupation examples: fisherman, winter sports athlete
Disposable gloves: designed for short-term use to protect against contaminants and are typically made of latex or nit-rile. - Occupation examples: healthcare worker, food service worker
Anti-vibration gloves: made from materials that absorb shock and reduce vibration in hands. - Occupation examples: construction worker, landscaper
Welding gloves: made from materials that protect against heat and sparks while welding. - Occupation examples: welder, metal worker
Mechanical gloves: designed to protect hands from sharp edges and machinery. - Occupation examples: mechanic, assembly line worker
How To Use Each Type & Style of Glove?
Below is a list of the different types of safety gloves, and tasks they are typically used for: *It is important to note: the type of glove used should be chosen based on the specific job and the potential hazards it involves.
- Disposable latex gloves: Ideal for tasks which mandate frequent glove changes. Examples such as food preparation, cleaning, or medical procedures are ideal for this type of glove.
- Nitrile gloves: Used in industries that require chemical resistance, such as automotive repair or petrochemical handling.
- Leather gloves: Used in construction or carpentry to protect hands from cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
- Cut-resistant gloves: Used in kitchen or food processing environments to protect hands from sharp blades.
- Welding gloves: Used to protect hands from heat and sparks generated during welding.
- Chemical-resistant gloves: Used in industrial settings where workers handle hazardous or toxic substances.
- Cold weather gloves: Used in outdoor jobs or cold storage facilities to protect hands from extreme cold and frostbite.
- Impact-resistant gloves: Used in construction, oil and gas, or mining to protect hands from heavy machinery or falling objects.
- High-visibility gloves: Used in construction or transportation to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
- Electrical-resistant gloves: Used by electricians or electrical engineers to protect hands from electrical shocks and burns.
When to Wear Each Type of Glove? - Essential Jobs and Tasks That Demand Hand Protection
When it comes to protecting your hands at work, it's important to know when to put on your gloves. Certain jobs and tasks are much more demanding on your hands and require a different level of protection. Here are some of the most essential jobs and tasks that require hand protection:
- Construction and carpentry - Whether you're working with power tools, heavy machinery or just handling sharp objects like nails, it's important to wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts, punctures and impact injuries.
- Chemical handling - If you work with chemicals, you'll want to make sure you're wearing gloves to protect your skin from corrosive and toxic substances.
- Medical and laboratory work - Whether you're a healthcare professional or a laboratory technician, you'll want to make sure you're wearing gloves to protect your hands from potentially infectious materials and sharp instruments.
- Food preparation and handling - If you work in a kitchen or food handling environment, you'll want to make sure you're wearing gloves to protect your hands from cuts, burns and contamination.
- Automotive work - Whether you're changing oil, working on a brake job or just handling sharp or dirty objects under the hood, you'll want to make sure you're wearing gloves to protect your hands from cuts, abrasions and dirt.
By knowing when to wear gloves, you can ensure that your hands are protected from the dangers that lurk, around your work, and help to avoid any serious injuries that may occur, and long-term damage that may result.
Who Makes Each Type Of Safety Glove? And Where Can You Buy Them?
Here's a list of each type of safety glove with information on the manufacturer of each, popular brands, and possible places to buy them!
- Cut Resistant Gloves - Manufacturers: Ansell, Towa, and Honeywell. Brands: Dyneema, MaxiFlex, and Towa ActivArmr. Stores: Amazon, Home Depot, and Grainger.
- Chemical Resistant Gloves - Manufacturers: Ansell, DuPont, and Lakeland Industries. Brands: HyFlex, Tychem, and Chem-Master. Stores: Amazon, Grainger, and Global Industrial.
- Heat Resistant Gloves - Manufacturers: Memphis Gloves, Boss, and Ansell. Brands: Thermaflex, ProFlex, and HyFlex. Stores: Amazon, Lowe's, and Home Depot.
- Disposable Gloves - Manufacturers: Kimberly-Clark, Medline, and Nitrile. Brands: Nitrile Exam Gloves, SensiCare, and Nitrile Industrial Gloves. Stores: Amazon, Walgreens, and Medline.
- Impact Resistant Gloves - Manufacturers: Mechanix Wear, MCR Safety, and Ansell. Brands: The Original, PowerGrab, and HyFlex. Stores: Amazon, Northern Tool, and Home Depot.
- Welding Gloves - Manufacturers: Lincoln Electric, ESAB, and Tillman. Brands: Welding Gloves, Weldas, and Red Line. Stores: Amazon, Northern Tool, and Home Depot.
- AntiVibration Gloves - Manufacturers: Ergodyne, Boss, and Anti-Vibe. Brands: ProFlex, Max Impact, and Anti-Vibe. Stores: Amazon, Northern Tool, and Home Depot.
Looks like that's all the gloves we got for now folks! From mechanics to chefs, electricians to gardeners, we've got the right gloves to help keep you safe on the job. Whether you're handling hot plates or avoiding splinters - we've got your hands covered. Just remember, with great gloves comes great responsibility...to keep those hands safe and stylish!