Hand protection is one of the most important considerations of safety protocols at work. In most industries, the use of cut resistance gloves prevents numerous workplace injuries around the year. With the wide range of options available, it can become confusing to pick suitable gloves. Fortunately, reading this article will put you in a better position to make this decision.
What They’re Made Of
Depending on what kind of danger your workers will be subjected to during work, you might want to opt for different materials. Some standard options are:
- HPPE
- Para-aramid
- All-metal chainmail gloves
- Engineered yarn
What They’re Used For
Many factories use large machines that have sharp blades of strong, blunt force. Workers may injure their hands and, as a result, be unable to work. In case of severe injuries, they may never be able to perform the same kind of work in their lives. If the injury results in a lawsuit, it will cost the company much more than buying cut resistance gloves.
How Do They Work?
Cut-resistance gloves have a glove gauge that determines how thick the yarn is. This determines how many stitches there are per inch of yarn. These stitches prevent sharp objects from cutting into the hand. The glove gauge also affects dexterity, weight, cushioning and the tactile feel a glove allows.
Be warned, however, that these gloves are not always 100% cut-proof. They can be destroyed with special equipment, so you should check the abilities of your machines and choose gloves appropriately.
Can You Wash Them?
Of course, you will need to clean your gloves. You can do this in different ways. Some gloves are machine-washable; you can toss them in with regular laundry and detergent. These, however, are rare. If your gloves are too heavy or have thicker yarn, your only option might be to hand wash your gloves. Start by wearing them like you usually would. Use some regular soap and clean the outside of the gloves. Most people recommend not washing the glove from the inside. Water can collect at the fingertips of the gloves and reduce the glove’s efficacy for protection the next time you use them.
Industry Standards
Depending on your industry or your location, you should follow different levels of safety protocols. Check which of the following you must comply with:
- EN388 European Standard
- UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) Standard
Always opt for gloves that have been tested thoroughly, at 360 degrees, not just the palm and the back of the hand. The area between fingers is especially susceptible to cuts and injuries. Due to the glove’s design, it is also the least likely to withstand pressure, making this a necessary safety standard.
Strength vs Hardness
Your cut resistance gloves might be high in strength or hardness. They can provide mechanical lubrication through a rolling action if they have high strength. If they are made of hard material, they can likely withstand extremely high pressure without changing their properties. Again, consider what equipment your workers use to decide which way to go.
What is Palm Coating?
Although a glove’s dexterity depends on the gauge, you can improve your glove’s grip by choosing one with palm coating. Palm coating does not provide much extra protection, but if you require workers to grip items well while still wearing gloves, palm coating can improve this performance.
