Types of Safety Gloves: How to Choose the Right Pair for Your Job

It's 7 a.m. on site. You grab the gloves nearest the door and get to work. Ten minutes later, a sharp edge slices through the palm, and your day is over.

This happens more than most crews admit. The glove is usually the problem, not the worker. Most injuries trace back to one simple mistake: using the wrong glove for the wrong hazard.

Here's the good news. You can avoid this by matching the glove to the hazard before you start. This guide shows you how to choose safety gloves that fit your task and your crew. For more on hand safety, read our PPE basics guide.

Key Takeaways

• Always identify the specific hazard before choosing your glove's material and fit.

• Gloves that resist cut hazards do not automatically protect against liquids or chemicals.

• An improper glove size directly compromises your level of safety on the job.

• Every pair of gloves wears out, so inspect them prior to every work shift.

Different Types of Safety Gloves by Hazard

Every glove is built to beat one main threat. Name the threat, and the choice gets easy.

Gloves for Blades and Heavy Loads

• Cut-resistant: stops blades and sharp metal edges.

• Impact protection: padded backs shield knuckles from crushing blows.

• Rigger: thick palms handle rope, steel, and rough loads.

Gloves for Liquids

• Chemical-resistant: blocks liquids, but only the ones it was tested against.

• Disposable: single-use, great for quick, clean jobs.

• Reusable: tougher, built for repeat tasks.

Gloves for Hot and Live Work

• Thermal: guards against hot and cold surfaces.

• Welding: shields hands from sparks and spatter.

• Insulated: protects from electrical hazards at a tested voltage.

Safety Glove Materials Explained

Material decides what a glove can stop. These are the types of protective gloves you’ll see most.

Signs To Replace Your Gloves

A glove doesn't need to rip apart to fail. Small changes mean it's already losing its protection.

If there are stiff spots on gloves made of nitrile or rubber material, then the gloves have been damaged by chemicals. Shiny, thin spots on the gloves' palms indicate gloves that have gone beyond their recommended safety level. Cracking of leather around the fingertips indicates gloves that will soon develop cracks after application of pressure.

Inspect your gloves at the beginning of each work shift.

How to Take Off Gloves Without Contaminating Your Hands

Removing gloves incorrectly poses the same risk that you were attempting to protect yourself from. Residue left on your fingers will be transferred to your skin if you remove the gloves incorrectly.

1. To remove the first glove, pinch it at the wrist and pull it off inside out.

2. Keep the first glove in your gloved hand and use your fingers to slip underneath the wrist of the second glove.

3. Remove the second glove over the first one to enclose them within each other.

Wash your hands immediately afterwards, regardless of whether the gloves appeared to be clean throughout the entire shift.

Why Workplace Safety Gloves Matter

Reports citing the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics say about 70% of workers with hand injuries wore no gloves. Hand injuries also send over a million workers to emergency rooms each year.

But wearing gloves is only half the story. A cotton glove soaks up solvent and holds it against your skin for hours. That’s why protective gloves for work have to match the task.

Hazards Your Gloves Must Match

One glove rarely covers every hazard.

Everyday Wear and Sharp Points

Abrasion grinds a glove down on rough concrete and steel. Cuts come from blades and glass. Punctures come from nails and wire ends. A thin knit glove stops neither, so check the label for puncture ratings.

Liquids, Hot Work and Shaking Tools

Oil makes metal slippery, and a wet glove loses its hold fast. Chemical exposure can burn skin through a glove not built for that liquid. Heat softens cheap linings quickly. Vibration from grinders tires your hands, so padded palms help.

Performance Features That Matter

Grip prevents tools from sliding off. Dexterity enables handling of small components without removing gloves. Breathability ensures that your hands remain dry during long and hot shifts.

Abrasion resistance and puncture resistance indicate how long a glove lasts under abrasive and pointed conditions. A coating increases grip on a knitted lining. The thickness of gloves compromises protection for tactile ability.

Thickness makes it difficult to put small bolts on; hence, workers remove their gloves. This is the time when injuries occur.

Which Gloves Suit Which Industries

Construction workers encounter pieces of sharp metal and dropped objects. Manufacturing entails machine movement and greasy substances. Warehousing includes box edges and straps.

Auto shops have to contend with heated components and liquids. Fabrication involves burrs and sparks. Cleaning workers require liquid protection. Food handling requires clean gloves that fit properly. Electrical work requires insulated gloves only.

Five Checks Before You Pick a Pair

Before you buy a single pair, run through this checklist with your crew.

1. Name the hazard. Know exactly what you're protecting against before you shop.

2. Check the protection rating. Confirm the label matches your actual risk level.

3. Test the sizing. Loose gloves snag on tools, and tight ones tire your hands fast.

4. Try them on the job. Wear a pair through a real task to judge comfort and fit.

5. Durability test. Trial a few pairs with your team before you commit to a bulk purchase.

Conclusion

The proper glove will protect your hands without making it difficult for you to work. Determine first the exact threat your hands face. Are there potential lacerations? Exposure to chemicals? Heat?

Then select the type and material of the glove meant for that very hazard. Make sure that you get the correct size every time that you have gloves ordered, as sizing varies from brand to brand.

Create an easy protocol for replacing old gloves. Easy measures such as these prevent most hand injuries before they happen. Your hands do the work every day – give them the right protection.

FAQs

Can safety gloves stop a power saw or grinder? 

No. Makers test gloves against hand blades, not powered tools. A saw can cut through almost any glove. Use guards and keep hands clear.

What do ANSI cut levels A1 to A9 mean? 

The ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance scale ranges from A1 (least resistant) to A9 (most resistant). The higher the number, the harder it is to cut through.

Is EN 388 the same as ANSI? No. Their testing standards and rating systems are not the same. ANSI uses the scale A1-A9 in grams, but EN 388 uses the scale A-F. A4 ANSI isn’t the same as level 4 in EN 388.

Can I wear two pairs of gloves at once? In some cases yes. Some people wear a water-resistant glove under a cut-resistant glove. This may decrease sensitivity and cause perspiration, so be sure to test the pair before wearing.

Why do my hands itch after wearing gloves all day? Skin irritation due to moisture and sweat. Wash your hands every time before putting them on. Also, see a doctor for rashes that continue to come back.