Types of Gloves

Some Glove Types Include: Nitrile, Chloronite, Latex, Vinyl, Butyl Rubber and Neoprene

Protection against hazardous materials is important for everyone’s health and safety. There are many potential risks when working with chemicals, substances, and materials. Some being:

Skin damage and/or provoking allergic reactions
Toxic chemicals can be absorbed into the skin and bloodstream
Skin can be damaged, irritated, and even broken by friction or extreme heat
Skin contamination can lead to infection

These dangers are why you must understand that many different types of gloves exist.

An important note to remember: Given the wide range of work being done worldwide, no single glove will meet the needs of everyone. Gloves must be selected based on the materials being handled and the type of work undertaken.

Considerations when selecting the correct glove type:

Do You Need Disposable Gloves or Reusable Gloves?

Disposable gloves

Designed for single use only, should not be reused
Allow good touch sensitivity and dexterity
Not suitable for handling some aggressive or highly hazardous chemicals
Designed for protection against incidental contact with chemicals rather than intentional contact
Should be changed after any chemical splash
Offer little protection against physical hazards compared to reusable gloves

Reusable gloves

Offer greater protection against abrasion and other physical hazards
Are less likely to tear or be cut in use
Can offer stronger chemical resistance, this depends on the glove and its qualities
Typically less flexible, more likely to interfere with dexterity and touch sensitivity
Needs to be washed and dried after use to avoid accidental skin contamination
Should be inspected before each use for discolouration, cracking at flexion points or damage and should be discarded if found

Incidental Contact vs Intentional Contact

Incidental contact: Refers to tasks where there is no intended direct contact with the hazardous material. Exposure will only occur through an accidental splash or spill. Most types of disposable gloves can provide adequate protection against incidental contact. It is vital that when a suspected splash or spill occurs, disposable gloves are immediately discarded and a new pair donned.

Intentional contact: Refers to tasks where contact with the hazardous material is inevitable. For example, immersing hands in liquids, direct handling of a substance rather than its container, or handling of materials coated or saturated with the hazardous substance, e.g. a cleaning rag.

Selecting a glove for protection against intentional contact with chemicals: You must select a glove that offers good resistance to attack or permeation from the specific chemicals in use. This will often require a reusable glove.

Cut Rated Gloves

Cut Rated gloves have been tested under the EN388 Glove Standard, which determines the level of protection against Abrasion, Cut, Tear and Puncture.

In many industries, Cut Rated gloves are mandatory under Workplace Health & Safety regulations and must be worn at all times. Learn more about the EN388 Glove Standard here.

Types of Gloves Materials

Nitrile

The best all-rounder glove material, suitable for a large variety of applications
Good for solvents, oils, greases, hydrocarbons and some acids and bases
High puncture resistance, high chemical resistance
Easily shows when damaged or compromised
Good for biohazards
Avoid: intentional contact with ketones, oxidising acids and organic compounds containing nitrogen
Nitrile is the best choice for incidental splash protection against chemicals

Chloronite®

Co-polymer Chloronite material is a sophisticated formulation of nitrile and neoprene
Comfortable for long periods of use
Suitable for intentional chemical splashes (depending on the chemical)
Powerful resistance to a wide range of EN recognised chemicals and solvents

Latex (Natural Rubber)

Good for biohazard protection (infection risks)
Good for inorganic chemicals
Poor for organic solvents
Avoid: oils, grease and hydrocarbon derivatives
Difficult to detect puncture holes
Can cause or trigger latex allergies
High dermatitis potential
Highly flexible and dexterous

Butyl Rubber

Good for ketones and esters
Only available as re-usable
Poor touch sensitivity
Strong against aggressive chemicals
Thick and not flexible

Standard Vinyl Gloves – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Multiple negative environmental issues
Manufacturing process creates toxic chemicals
Does not bio-degrade
If not properly disposed of can leach chemicals into the environment
Plasticisers in glove may contaminate solvents
Very cheap

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

Good for aromatic and chlorinated solvents
Poor for water-based solutions (dissolves in water)
Avoid: Contact with water or water-based solutions, water solubles
Only available as re-usable
Poor touch sensitivity
Can be cleaned with solvents
Thick and not very flexible

Neoprene

Good for acids, bases, alcohols, fuels, peroxides, hydrocarbons and phenols
Poor for halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons

EN Standards and how to learn more

Please refer to the Glove Information Page for more information on EN Standards and the Pictograms that represent each.

Still have questions? Simply call our team of Glove Experts on 1300 331 488 they will help you find the best glove for your needs.