Work gloves

The work glove: for optimal worker protection

Work gloves are used as personal protective equipment providing excellent protection. Many professionals who work in various fields incorporate them into their work clothes to protect themselves from various risks. Also at home, it is very useful for gardening, DIY, etc.

Why wear protective / work gloves?

Some jobs present risks for the skin, so that the wearing of work gloves / protective gloves is essential, for safety reasons, but also hygiene. Indeed, some professions expose our hands to the risk of cuts, burns or other attacks by chemicals or fungi of all kinds, have a pair of gloves quality guarantees excellent protection. The risk is great: 27% of the cases of work accidents listed relate to the hand, against 7% for the foot.

There are direct exposure hazards in a work environment, affecting those who handle chemicals, or construction workers in contact with irritating products. The danger can also come from handling sharp, hot or even rough objects, which could directly injure the hands. The climate in the work environment, too hot or too cold, can also directly attack the hands. However, other factors, such as excessively repetitive gestures, can also cause hand function disorders. Frequent handling of electrical or mechanical tools also presents great risks. Apart from skin injuries, allergies, loose nails, cuts or crushing, much more serious problems, related to nerves and blood vessels, can also be diagnosed.

This non-exhaustive list of potential injuries motivates the wearing of professional gloves is an excellent protection to protect our hands from possible chemical, thermal, biological or mechanical attacks. You should know that the consequences of a hand injury can be serious. Nearly 165,000 cases of hand accidents were a source of work stoppage, i.e. 35% of the cases listed, according to Info Expo Protection. And still according to the same source, a hand accident would cost an average of €12,000. The most unlucky, with a proportion of 2.2% of accidents, even partially lost their capacity to work.

Work environment: Which protective gloves to choose?

There are many materials for professional gloves: leather, cotton, vinyl, neoprene, strong>latex or even metal, work gloves are accessories to protect our hands from the dangers of certain trades. Depending on the sector in which you work, there is a type of safety glove, meeting the specific needs of this trade.

Handling gloves are indicated for those who work in the field of transportation or maintenance, but also for those who evolve in assemblies. These gloves are very thick and are designed to protect the hands from the risk of cuts or tears.

For workers who handle chemicals, there are very resistant chemical protective gloves, which cover up to the forearm. However, you should know that the resistance of the material must be well chosen, depending on the type of product you are handling.

Staff working in the medical or food industry can use disposable gloves made of latex or nitrile. They are thin gloves, but they offer better address.

There are also safety gloves specific to certain working conditions, such as anti-cut gloves for glass and metal workers, tactile gloves for handling oily components, - insulating gloves for electricians, but also anti-heat gloves or anti-cold.

The performance criteria of a safety glove

To choose a safety glove that can provide you with optimal protection, you must choose the right size to reduce the risk of irritation and damage. improve the level of dexterity. If you have sensitive skin, you need a cotton lining, which is more breathable. You can also wear glove liners or wash your gloves regularly to remove as many traces of bacteria as possible. Likewise, if you work in humid conditions or in environments exposed to high heat, the cotton lining regulates perspiration better and demonstrates greater absorption capacity.

It is important to know that this equipment can be combined with other personal protective equipment such as safety shoes or a hard hat.

Thermal, chemical, anti-cut, construction, handling or DIY gloves, where can you find these work gloves?

Oxwork offers on its website a selection of major brands of protective gloves, with various levels of resistance and various functions: anti-cut, anti-cold, etc. A wide range of quality is offered to you for the guarantee of maximum protection. We are at your disposal to help you make the right choice.