No matter what type of trade you specialise in, having the right gloves for your work is an essential part of health and safety planning. Tony Skelton, managing director at intersafety shares his thoughts on choosing the correct pair.
Being involved in any type of physical work activity can bring with it certain risks and dangers. Some are unique to the kind of process involved and the handling of the materials you might encounter, whilst others are more generalised and can be found in many different situations and circumstances.
Having a pair of gloves that are fit for purpose is not only about making sure that you minimise the risk of injury. Choosing your glove carefully can help with productivity and make tasks faster as well as safer.
Of course, it isn’t just professionals that can benefit from wearing protective gloves. Many DIY jobs carry risks and it is advisable to make sure you have as much professional kit at your disposal as possible.
Trade sales
As with most other things that mean there are trades people looking for high quality goods at everyday prices, safety wear such as the full range of work gloves are stocked by many outlets that are aimed at professionals rather than the general public. These shops and distributors will usually carry reputable brands at good discount prices, and often their ‘own brand’ versions are good quality and provide even better value for money.
Manufacturer
Choosing a well-known brand means that you can be sure that the glove you are buying is well made and fully fit for the job that you need it for, no matter what they might be. Construction and materials vary from one manufacturer to another so choosing a well-known brand this is endorsed by people who work in the field everyday is really the best way to go.
Type
There are several specialist types of work gloves designed specifically to prevent against harm from various hazards. Making sure you choose the right glove for the job is an essential part of identifying which is the right one for you.
Purpose
No matter what the job is, a good work glove should make a difference to how you get it done. Protection from abrasion, piercing and cutting is required for almost all tasks and in many cases the ability to improve your grip on the project can be an important consideration too.
Protection
One of the main hazards encountered across a wide range of working practices is that of cutting yourself on sharp or pointed objects. Wearing gloves is the first line of defence against this and even the most basic general working glove will offer some level of protection.
However, for anyone whose work makes it more likely that they may suffer from some kind of cut, puncture or abrasion injury to the hand, a more specialised form of glove is needed. Whereas leather gloves can be surprisingly strong, those reinforced with man made materials can be particularly strong.
Material
Nitrile rubber is more resistant than natural rubber to oils and acids and is able to withstand a range of temperatures. Its resilience also means it is a material suitable for gloves used for disposable laboratory cleaning and examination procedures.
Features
Thermal protection is often only needed in extreme environments where workers are exposed to intense heat. Specialised wool and cloth blends are mixed with manmade materials such as Kevlar, to achieve high levels of protection.
