Overview | Market Drivers | Gloves | Safety Products | Our Catalog

Gloves

Glove Types

The Glove Market is quite diverse...there are many, many different kinds of non-disposable gloves used in the industrial space.  Here are the main types:

	Anti Static Gloves: Gloves made with fibers for controlling static generation. Gloves with anti-static properties will not build up a static charge on items handled, but will not remove static from an item. Anti-Static gloves are commonly used in the clean room, semi-conductor and photographic and imaging industries. See Static-Dissipative.
	Clean Room Gloves: Used in precision handling and assembly work. Generally, these gloves undergo a special washing and cleaning process to remove particulate matter so they don't contaminate products and products environment. These gloves are also packed in a clean room setting. Certain gloves have different levels (i.e. Class 100) of particulate control. Clean room gloves are commonly used in the clean room, semi-conductor and pharmaceutical industries.
	Finger Cots: An economical choice for shielding your fingers. They are generally used alone or over whole-hand, gloves on individual fingers to give added protection and are more comfortable and less expensive than double gloving.
	Glove Liners: Generally worn as an underglove to avoid clamminess, perspiration and other irritations. They eliminate odors and reduce allergic reactions and rashes associated to latex and rubber gloves. Nylon glove liners are the most preferred choice due to their low moisture absorption, comfort and facilitate easier donning of over gloves.
	Grip Gloves: Designed for safer and easier handling of materials. These gloves generally have a raised PVC coating in soft knits to increase grip on slippery surfaces.
	Knit Gloves: Knitted gloves are unique in that they posses a high order of elasticity and recovery. In other words, unlike woven fabric, which possesses a low degree of elongation, knitted gloves can be stretched to a considerable length and yet will gradually return to their original shape or conformation. It is this feature and their air permeability arising from a looped structure that imparts to them desirable and appealing properties from the consumer’s point of view as: -A high order of wrinkle resistance. Donning them can readily smooth creases and wrinkles in knitted gloves. -Ease of care. Knitted gloves and apparel launder without difficulty and generally require no ironing. -Good draping. Knitted gloves conform to the hand without constricting the wearer. -Comfort. The knitted structure is porous. It allows the skin to breath freely. It's elasticity permits greater freedom of hand movements. -Knitted gloves are soft and light in weight.
	Leather Gloves: For many centuries, leather gloves have been used as both fashion accessories, as well as protective working tools. Leather glove pieces, dating back all the way back to 1300 B.C. have been unearthed in Egypt. The leather glove protects the hand and at the same time breathes, thus providing warmth without humidity. It molds to the hand for a custom fit, but moves with the hand for dexterity and comfort. Fine leathers have been used in glove making for centuries. Most leather gloves are made with cowhide, lambskin and pigskin. If care is taken of a high quality leather garment, it should improve with age as well as wear, and last for a very long time.
	Liners: Generally worn as an underglove to avoid clamminess, perspiration and other irritations. They eliminate odors and reduce allergic reactions and rashes associated to latex and rubber gloves. See Glove Liners
	Nitrile Gloves: Nitrile is a soft elastic material with better puncture and abrasion resistance than latex or vinyl disposable gloves.
	Nylon Gloves: Nylon fiber gloves are popular for their high strength, durability, low moisture absorption and comfort.
	Polyethylene Gloves: Made from a high-density plastic and an economical choice for short term, low cost use where durability is not required.
	PVC Gloves: (Abbreviation for Polyvinyl Chloride) An economical choice for short term, low cost use where durability is not required.
	Static Dissipative Gloves: Gloves made with fiber for the purpose of eliminating and controlling static. Unlike gloves with anti-static properties that will not build up a static charge on items handled, static dissipative gloves will remove static buildup from an item. Static Dissipative gloves are commonly used in the clean room, semi-conductor and photographic and imaging industries. See Anti-Static

Glove Applications

The applications for glove use are many:

Chemicals - depend on the variables associated with the required work.  Some chemicals require only the minimal amount of protection.  Others, such as oily materials, require a glove with a good grip.  Examples: researchers, medical professionals, pesticide applicators, food service, mechanics, maintenance, etc.

Abrasions - leather or cotton gloves are frequently chosen for their ability to offer protection when handling rough objects or grasping hand tools.  Examples:  maintenance, mechanics, landscape work, farm work, etc.

Cuts - Using metal mesh gloves when working with cutting blades and other sharp objects can minimize cuts and Lacerations -  Examples:  food service, landscape work, metal work, etc.

Heat - requires a glove that insulates the wearer from heat.  A cotton or leather glove may be adequate for handling materials somewhat hotter than body temperature,  A vitreous fiber glove, made of fiberglass type material, can be used to handle objects that have been heated to a few hundred degrees.  Additional body insulation protection is needed when working with higher temperatures and melted metals.  Examples:  welders, researchers, mechanics, etc.

Cold - require many of the same insulating properties as handling hot objects.  May require a liquid barrier when handling aqueous ammonia or other liquefied gasses such as liquid nitrogen.  Examples - researcher, medical professionals, mechanics, etc.

A number of variables need to be evaluated when choosing suitable glove protection.  Chemical exposure is the primary cause of hand dermatitis in the workplace.  Some points to consider in selecting chemical gloves are:

• Select glove materials that give proper protection from the chemical being used.
• Frequency and duration of chemical contact.
• Type of contact (immersion or occasional contact).
• Toxicity or hazard concentration of the chemicals.
• Temperature of chemicals.
• Resistance to abrasion or cutting.
• Resistance to punctures, snags, or tearing.
• Length of arm needing protection (hand only, forearm, whole arm).
• Sizing
• Tactile dexterity and sensitivity needs.
• Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily, soap).
• Thermal protection
• Price
• Gauge (thickness of glove material).
• Swelling of glove material due to chemical contact.

Applicable OSHA Standards

          OSHA 1910.95-Occupational Noise Exposure
          OSHA 1910.132-General Requirements
          OSHA 1910.133-Eye Protection
          OSHA 1910.135-Head Protection
          OSHA 1910.136-Occupational Foot Protection
          OSHA 1910.138-Hand Protection
          OSHA 1926.96-Occupational Foot Protection
          OSHA 1926.100-Head Protection
          OSHA 1926.101-Hearing Protection
          OSHA 1926.102-Eye and Face Protection