Chemical protection gloves (effective protection against chemicals)

Chemical protective gloves, as personal protective equipment, "protect the hand or part of the hand against certain dangers. Hand-related accidents account for nearly 27% of work stoppages. This is why the hand is man's first tool and must therefore benefit from the best possible protection to avoid any risk of accident, when handling products, chemical safety gloves make it possible to avoid contact with the skin. Designed and suitable for work in laboratories, chemical industries, etc.

How to choose chemical protective gloves?

Chemical protective gloves are essential for work requiring the handling of chemicals. In order to protect you, standards on protective gloves against chemicals and micro -organisms:

• EN 374 � 1: 2003
  This standard specifies the requirements for chemical protective gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms and defines the terms to use it.
• EN 374 � 2: 2003
  This European standard specifies a test method for the resistance to penetration of protective gloves against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
• EN 374 � 3: 2003
  This European Standard specifies the determination of the resistance of protective glove materials to permeation by potentially dangerous products other than non-gaseous chemicals under the continuous contact condition.

What is the permeation for chemical protective gloves: it is the passage at the molecular level of the chemical substance through the material of the glove. A protective glove can be permeated at the molecular level in seconds.

Caution: permeation can begin from the first contact with the chemical substance.

Which glove for which product?

Chemical protective gloves are classified into three categories:

type A, type B, type C

• Type A for equipment with optimal resistance to the penetration of at least 6 chemical substances, with a permeation time of more than 30 minutes
• Type B for protective gloves providing resistance to penetration by at least 3 chemical substances, with a breakthrough time greater than 30 minutes
• Type C for accessories guaranteeing a permeation time of more than 10 minutes for at least one chemical substance

Generally, type B and C gloves are only for disposable versions.

The most used materials for gloves: nitrile, latex, etc

The preferred materials include:

• Nitrile, appreciated for its increased level of resistance, especially against hydrocarbons
• Latex, renowned for its optimal level of resistance to chemicals, tearing and wear (to be avoided in the presence of greasy or oily products)
• Butyl, known for its excellent resistance to particularly toxic and aggressive chemicals
• Vinyl (or PVC), which is resistant to acids, alcohols and bases
• Neoprene, with a high level of resistance to acids and bases

Remember, gloves should be complemented with workwear: Work Pants, work overalls, or by more specific work clothes such as clothes high visibility. As well as other PPE, such as: a headset, or safety shoes, safety trainers.