This week, Mark thought it a good practice to introduce/refresh everybody on the different types of gloves available to them in the parts room and the pros and cons of each. He brought out the four most commonly used types of glove in the plant and provided examples of where each would be appropriate.
TOP FOUR WORK GLOVES USED
Cotton Gloves: These are the most widely used – and abused glove. These are low cost, and great for sweat absorption. The challenge we face with these gloves is a lack of cut protection, as well as limited heat protection.
Welder’s Gloves: Made from leather or cowhide, these are the second most popular in our environment. They offer a good puncture resistance as well as padding that could provide a cushion for a blow to the hand. They also shield against sparks and offer far superior thermal prote
ction than cotton.
Rubber
: This could be many materials, including neoprene, natural rubber, PVC or nitrile. They are liquid proof or resistant against caustics, acids and other chemicals. Their downside is a very limited cut resistance.
Cut Proof: Many new fibers have been developed to fabricate a cut proof glove. 
Kevlar, Spectra, Dyneema and Vectran are most common. These gloves are flexible, cut resistant, lightweight and also resist thermal transfer.
We urge our staff to always choose their PPE for the job. This keeps everyone safe and at a low risk of injury.
