Our hands are a large part of what separate us from the beasts of the field and without them, we’d have long ago been food for any predator roaming the prairie. This means they must be protected at all costs. For that, you need a good pair of work gloves.
There is no exact formula for choosing the right gloves. If you work with metal, you need some that will protect you from cuts and scrapes. If you are gardening, you need something that will give you both protection and dexterity for plucking roots or handling thorns. For those whose pursuits are truly rough, you need hardy gloves that don’t chafe as you swing an axe, hang drywall, or pull ore from the living earth. Whoever you are and whatever you do, one of our best work gloves will keep your hands safe and sound.
Selecting the right gloves for a work environment is not always as easy as it might seem. Given the wide variety of hand protection options and protective work gloves now available, selecting the right gloves for your specific needs has never been more complicated. At the same time, the options for getting the best possible level of hand protection have also gotten much better.
So how do you make sure that you are selecting the right work gloves? Here are four simple steps:
1. Identify the Potential Hazard Identifying the hazards your hands are exposed to while working will make your task of choosing the right work glove easier.
These hazards could be classified under five main groups:
• Abrasions, scratches and cuts -These are hazards potentially caused by rough surfaces and shrill edges.
• Chemicals - These are potential hazards to your hands because some of them may have adverse effects once it comes in contact with skin.
• Viruses, Bacteria, Pathogens - These infectious agents are usually found in blood, body fluids, and many other liquid substances and materials you may come in contact with.
• Electrical Power - This refers to hazards brought about by the exposure of hand to electric current.
• Temperature - This refers to hazards present when your hands are exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold.
2. Assess what Material Could Protect You from the Hazard After identifying the potential hazards, the next step is to select the type of material you need in your work gloves.
Pick the best material that could guard against the dangers of the task you have to do and the work you will be performing. Doing a little research will help you ensure that you have the right material for a given work situation. For chemical hazards, it is advisable that you refer to a chemical resistance chart in evaluating which material is most suitable for you.
3. Select the Best Work Gloves from the Available Options Now that you have decided on the type of material you need, you can proceed looking at the work gloves available in the market and select the one that best meets your needs and requirements. Below is a guide to the general types of work gloves. Learn about how each type can protect you against the different types of hand hazards.
• Aluminized Gloves - Aluminized gloves are designed to shield your hands from intense heat. Made from aluminized (metallic) material, these are commonly used when dealing with very high temperature, molten materials.
• Chemical Resistance Gloves - Chemical Resistant Gloves are used when working with oils, diluters, and corrosives. There is a specialized chemical resistance glove made for almost every kind of chemical you may come in contact with. You can currently choose from Natural Rubber, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Neoprene, Nitrile, Butyl, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Fluoro- elastomer, and Norfoil.
• Disposable Gloves - Created with lightweight plastic, disposable gloves are used to protect against minor irritants.
• Fabric Gloves - Fabric gloves are commonly used when handling slippery objects because of its ability to increase grip. Made of fabric or cotton blends, and sometimes referred to as String Knit gloves this kind of glove also protects hands from mild cold or heat.
• Leather Gloves - Leather work gloves help you avoid hand injuries caused by rough surfaces. Used with an insulated liner, leather gloves are also a big help if you are working with electricity.
• Cut Resistant Gloves - Commonly, Cut Resistant Gloves are utilized when working with sharp cutting tools and instruments. Use these gloves to protect your hands from accidental cuts and scrapes. These gloves most frequently use Kevlar for their added resistance.
4. Identify the Glove Size That Fits You Best The selection process does not end once you have identified the type of glove you need.
It is also crucial to choose the right size to ensure your hand dexterity is not compromised. To determine the best size all you need to do is to get a tape measure and measure your palm circumference. If possible it is advisable to ask for samples before buying the glove of your choice.