Personal Protective Equipment - Types of Skin Protective
Equipment - Hand Protection - Gloves
By: The Working Man
Vinyl gloves have been traditionally used for most odd jobs. The
older manufactured vinyl gloves have a tensile strength of eleven
MPa, whereas the newer vinyl gloves have a tensile strength of
thirteen to fifteen MPa and are softer and stronger than the
original vinyl gloves.
Gloves made from Nitrile or latex are even more durable than
vinyl gloves. They have a tensile strength between seventeen and
twenty-eight MPa. These gloves are recommended when you will be
wearing gloves for a longer time as they have more ability to
stand up to harder jobs. Nitrile gloves have a built in chemical
barrier for protection when you will be handling certain types of
chemicals or drugs. They can prevent the chemicals or drugs from
coming into contact with your skin in any measurable amount.
Not all gloves are made equal! Be sure that if you are getting a
particular type of glove that it will protect you from the
specific element for which you plan to use the glove. There are
standards that must be met for different levels of gloves.
B-grade gloves are not as well made, are not of medical grade
standard and have failed pinhole rates or other quality control.
B-grade medical gloves are not to be trusted to protect you.
These particular gloves can not be labeled as exam gloves and
will not protect you from hazardous materials. They are almost
always labeled as disposable. So if you need A-grade or quality
medical gloves make sure it says exam gloves on the box so that
you can be sure you are getting the right thing.
Cloth gloves protect against rubbing and wear on the hands where
contact with liquids will not be an issue. Cloth gloves will not
protect you against chemicals, liquids, or anything hazardous
liquid. These are typically used for light labor to prevent
rubbing and contact with dirty surfaces.
Leather gloves will protect your hands from wear and damage in
heavy jobs where you will be using your hands a lot in situations
like digging or mechanic work. Leather is thicker than cloth and
will stop most rubbing so that you hands will not get blistered
from the hard wearing labor on your hands. They can be used in
contact with some liquids but nothing chemical or hazardous. The
leather will soak up any liquid and rub against your skin.
Protection of your hands is very serious and you should consider
the level and type of protection you will need for your hands for
the specific job you will be doing. Be sure you are getting the
right type of glove and it says specifically the uses for that
glove on the box. Protect yourself and your hands from damage by
chemicals, wear and tear, biological hazards and more!
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Safety & Accessories for Working Men