A Comprehensive Guide to Different Glove Materials

Every worker must follow a specific dress code at every job, no matter if it’s in person or remote. Whether it’s business casual for a desk job or a uniform for a coffeehouse, following the company dress code keeps it professional. Along with professionalism also comes practicing suitable safety measures. This goes the same way as industrial and labor-intensive jobs, such as construction and material handling.

You must follow the safety rules and standards for your occupation. The personal protective equipment you wear needs to protect you from bodily injury while keeping others safe on the job. One piece of equipment that matters significantly is gloves. So, here is a comprehensive guide to different glove materials and how they can impact your occupation. Safety comes first and foremost, as the correct PPE will allow you to work efficiently.

Considerations for Work Gloves

As you go about your job, your work gloves must fit specific safety standards. The type of glove that works for the job depends on the specific features and factors to work correctly. Some considerations include grip, cuff, sizing, lining, and colors. When looking for a particular grip, it’s vital to look for a material made from leather, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nitrile.

As for cuffs and sizing, both can significantly impact the functionality and efficacy of your job. Cuff length and heat, chemicals, moisture, and impact protection will keep your skin protected while remaining snug. Sizing can go multiple ways; improper glove sizes can cause hand fatigue and pain, increasing the risk of injury. So, it’s necessary that your gloves fit appropriately to your hands.

How Glove Material Impacts Work

Work gloves matter significantly for safety and comfort. The exterior material of your work gloves is also an essential factor for grip, moisture, warmth, and impact protection. The interior lining helps keep your skin warm with materials such as faux fur, fleece, and wool. Going over the comprehensive guide to different glove materials will further help you understand your job requirements.

Following your company dress code and personal protective equipment guidelines will give you a better idea of what gloves to look for at your job. There are many occupation considerations and differences, such as working in a medical position where you would need latex gloves or using leather gloves for an oil-rigging job. The more catered your gloves are to your job, the better and safer you’ll be.

Latex and Nitrile Gloves

The primary function of latex and nitrile gloves is to protect your hands against bacteria and bloodborne pathogens, biohazards, and chemicals. They are very tactical for high-precision careers, such as surgeons and nurses. Latex comes from rubber tree sap and has been a go-to choice in the medical industry for decades.

As for nitrile gloves, they’re an allergy-friendly version for non-latex users. Nitrile comes from synthetic rubber, providing more strength and puncture resistance. As a result, it makes a fantastic economical choice, great for grease, oils, biohazards, and chemicals. Both latex and nitrile are excellent for medical practices and pair with tattoo artists and auto mechanics.

Coated Gloves

When you go with coated gloves, they provide additional grip during your work. The coating material can come in various materials, including polyurethane (PU), nitrile, latex, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Dipped gloves can cover areas such as the fingertips, knuckles, palm, dotted, or they can be completely dipped all the way around.

Along with grip ability, coated gloves allow for durability, flexibility, and longevity. Many occupations such as mechanics, plumbers, and medical practices benefit significantly from dipped gloves. If you work a job where you need additional grip without sacrificing dexterity, coated gloves make an excellent match.

Leather Gloves

Leather gloves have been part of labor-intensive and industrial jobs for decades, and there’s no surprise in why it’s so popular. Not only do they offer excellent protection, but they’re also durable, reliable, and versatile. With puncture and cut resistance, it’s also one of the few materials that provide resistance to moisture and heat. Because it’s made of pure cowhide, it’s a natural material and adapts to surrounding temperatures and environments.

You can find leathers made from other animals besides cowhides, such as pig, goat, and split leather. Lastly, a benefit of using leather gloves is that they offer a good grip for tedious jobs. They make for fantastic construction work gloves and other general occupations.

Synthetic Gloves

Synthetic gloves make for a lightweight and flexible alternative compared to leather gloves. Over the years, synthetic gloves have become increasingly popular across many occupations due to their versatility and dexterity. There are two kinds of synthetic gloves; polyurethane (PU) laminated and polyurethane (PU) fiber.

Polyurethane (PU laminated comes with a thin polyester or polyamide material. Although it’s thin, it’s durable and provides a good grip. Additionally, it has a water-repellent surface. As for polyurethane (PU) fiber, it’s mixed with polyester and polyamide into a non-woven material, giving it a soft, durable, and highly-breathable feel. Synthetic gloves make for an excellent pick for construction, material handling, and plumbing work.

Neoprene Gloves

Known as a brand name for Chloroprene, Neoprene is made from synthetic rubber materials. It offers good heat isolation properties and protects your skin against fat, oil, organic hydrocarbons, and acids. Additionally, it provides waterproof protection against many kinds of liquids and chemicals.

While being flexible, it also offers high durability, keeping your hands safe and warm without sacrificing grip control and dexterity. Neoprene comes used with various glove types, including laboratory gloves and cold-weather gloves, offering excellent protection. If you work in oil and gas, construction, or material handling, Neoprene gloves will work for you.

Finding the Right Gloves for You

The gloves you choose must reflect the job you’re in. You want to ensure proper protection and as few restrictions as possible to do your job correctly. When working in dangerous, heavy-labor jobs, find gloves that fit securely and keep the skin covered while allowing movement. The last thing you want is to obtain an injury due to improper personal protective equipment.

Keeping you and your peers safe should be your priority. By wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, you’ll maintain a steady workflow and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, you’ll sharpen your skills and feel more confident in your work. Access your company handbook and talk to your peers about the gloves that help them on the job.