Safety gloves protect our hands against all kinds of hazards: from scratches and cuts to abrasion wounds, which can be caused by contact with rough metals, sharp glass or dangerous chemicals. The safety glove market is vast, with designs in virtually any length, colour and shape, and in a diverse range of materials with different types of coating. With so much choice on offer, how do you know which glove is right for you? Which glove is the best option for protecting you or your employees?
The quickest way to find the perfect safety glove for you is to use the uvex Glove Navigator – and answer the following three questions:
1. What kinds of hazards is the wearer exposed to?
To narrow down your options from the huge selection of gloves on the market, the first thing you need to do is work out which of the four hazard categories below applies in your workplace:
- Do you need to ensure that the wearer is protected against mechanical injury, such as scratches or abrasion wounds? If so, “Mechanical protection” is the category you’re looking for.
- There may also be a risk of cuts or even minor burns.
- Or are your employees exposed to chemicals in the course of their work?
2. What is the primary activity in the workplace?
The first step in determining the hazard category is usually an easy one – but now you need to take a closer look at your application. For example, let’s assume that your employees are at risk of cuts and you therefore selected “Cut protection” at step 1: What kind of tasks are employees required to execute with their hands?
Does the work require precision and dexterity? If so, the category you need is obvious. Or do employees complete more heavy-duty tasks, such as handling panes of glass or heavy metal components with sharp edges? If so, opt for gloves from the “Heavy duty” category – your employees will need a very robust glove.
If the activity performed by your employees is neither precision or heavy-duty work, an All-round glove is probably your best option. These gloves can be used for general tasks and also when switching between different activities that require a strong safety glove.
We recommend that you select the category that best matches the activity that the employees perform for the majority of their working day.
uvex cut-resistant safety gloves for a range of applications: uvex phynomic C5, uvex C500 foam, uvex synexo impact 1 (from left to right)
3. What are the conditions in the workplace?
You’re nearly ready to select the right glove for your application. There’s just one question left to answer: What are conditions like in the workplace? Will the glove come into contact with wet or oily workpieces? If your employees handle small, sharp and oily components, they will need a different cut protection glove to people working in a completely dry environment.
The difference between these gloves lies in the coating, which will determine whether the glove is water-tight, water-resistant or breathable.
All uvex safety gloves are categorised according to which types of environment they are suitable for: either “dry”, “damp to slightly oily” or “wet to oily”. The level indicated above each symbol tells you how suitable the glove is for each type of environment.
All the data you need at a glance
Our application matrix for each type of hazard provides a simple, at-a-glance overview of our wide range of safety gloves. The matrix can be found at the end of this article
If you have any questions or need any further assistance selecting the right safety glove for you, please do not hesitate to contact our specialist team. They will happily visit you to advise on the right type of glove for your application: Because every workplace is different, your glove needs to fit!
Safety gloves for any type of hazard
(Click on the matrix to enlarge)
