Work Gloves: The Right Fit For Safety

Having the right pair of work gloves is not only essential to your own safety, but also to the safety of others. Whether you’re an electrician, a construction worker, or someone in the medical field, the gloves you wear affect your performance, and choosing the wrong pair of work gloves could prove hazardous to your health. There are many sizes, brands, and uses for work gloves, so it’s good to know the difference before you get started, thus ensuring that you get the tools you need to do the task right the first time.

Healthcare

The most common types of work gloves used in the field of healthcare are latex, non-latex and nitrile gloves. Latex gloves seem to be on the way out though, as allergies to the material have become more and more prevalent in recent years. Non-latex gloves are made with synthetic materials such as neoprene and poly vinyl chloride. The goal is to provide a barrier of protection for the wearer while not restricting movement. While they may be more expensive than latex gloves, they will do the trick just fine should someone have allergy concerns. Another material that is becoming more common these days is nitrile. Not only are the nitrile gloves made from synthetic latex, but also nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant than rubber. They also have a low resistance to friction and are easy to slide on, which is always a bonus. These gloves are all disposable and can be found at your local healthcare professional outlet.

Industrial

Work gloves are also used in a variety of industrial jobs such as electrician’s work, construction and machinery. For work gloves used around electricity, there are a variety to choose from depending on the level of voltage you are working around. The smallest rating, 00, is only 0.05mm thick and good for around 500 volts. In contrast, the highest rating of 3 is 2.9mm thick and good for 26,500 volts. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the job and area you will be working in before you go out and buy a pair of electrical gloves, as the wrong choice could prove fatal if you make a mistake. Normally electrical systems are deactivated before work is begun, but there are cases where you will have to work around charged systems, and that’s when the right pair of electrical gloves comes in handy.

When it comes to construction gloves, you can find everything from leather and insulated, to anti-vibration and welding gloves. It just depends on the job you are doing. For typical construction work, a good pair of sturdy leather gloves is fine. They’re soft but offer the protection you’ll need when hammering, or handling other tools on the job site. For those of you who are handling a lot of power and pneumatic tools, a pair of anti-vibration work gloves are your best bet since they are designed to offer protection against several types of trauma related to the hand and wrist, as well as the fatigue that comes with working long hours.

We could go on and on about the different types of work gloves available, as there are so many on the market. In the end, it’s up to you to be informed about the job you are doing, and taking the proper measures to see that your safety is ensured. For jobs around the house, you can consult someone at Home Depot who will be happy to provide you with all the information you need, or if you are on a job site, talk to your foreman before you get started. He will be able to tell you the specifications of what you are working around, and the proper safety equipment you’ll need to protect yourself. Choosing the right pair of work gloves is just the first step in creating a safe working environment, and being smart about it could go a long way toward saving your life.