It’s not all about cut protection! There are many factors at play when selecting PPE. Factors like weather conditions, heat proximity, chemical exposures, allergies should be considered.
It’s important to understand what you are sacrificing with high cut level protection, as gloves sometimes loose dexterity with higher cut protection. There is a balancing act that safety managers must do when selecting gloves.
- Are you working with chemicals or erosive materials?(2)
- Do you need protection from extreme heat or cold? (4)
- Do the workers have allergies to certain common glove materials?
- Fit: Gloves should fit snug but not too tight. Gloves might also loose their shape over time, so it’s important to inspect them before use.
- Grip: Are you working in a dry, wet or oily environment where grip is compormised?
- Certain workers may need a high level of cut resistance, but still maintain dexterity in their fingers to get the job done effectively. Kevlar is the most popular as it is lightweight but provides remarkable resistance to cut s and abrasions
- Impact and vibration hazards: Certain tools can cause injury to the hands with prolonged use and there are gloves that are designed to reduce impact and vibration.
- Hi-Viz needs: Are you in an environment where your PPE needs to be easily seen?
- Care: Always understand the kind of care that the glove needs to ensure functionality and safety. Always dispose once it is past the expiration date determined by manufacturer.
Learn more about cut level protection here.
Learn about all ANSI Hand Protection Rating here.
- https://www.globalindustrial.com/knowledge-center/article/hand-protection-101-how-to-pick-the-right-work-gloves-for-the-job
