There are four main types of hand and arm protection:

• Gloves - These protect the hand only.
• Gloves with a Cuff - These protect the hand and wrist.
• Gauntlets/Sleeves and Long Gloves -These protect the hand wrist and part of the forearm.
• Sleeving/Arm Protection - These protect part or whole of the forearm and/or the upper arm.

General

Gloves of various designs provide protection against a range of hazards, including:

• Protection from cuts and abrasions, for example, when handling sharp or pointed objects;
• Keeping the hands warm and supple in cold weather, for example, when working on a building site, as manual dexterity is lost when the hands are cold or when working with any extremes of temperature, either hot and cold;
• Keeping hands warm in cold weather when operating machines that cause vibration, such as pneumatic drills and chain saws. Vibration white finger occurs more often and more severely when the hands and fingers are cold as the blood supply to the fingers is reduced by the body in an attempt to conserve heat;
• Danger from electrical hazards;
• Handling or coming into contact with chemicals, for example, maintenance of machinery, cleaning up chemical spillages and mixing and dispensing pesticide formulations;
• Handling radioactive materials;
• Handling hot or cold materials and work involving accidental contact with naked flames such as welding, ovens etc.;

The type and degree of protection depends on the glove material and the way in which it is constructed. 

Gloves Resistant to Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical hazards are associated with the handling of rough or sharp objects which could abrade, cut or pierce the skin such as glass. Thin metal sheet and masonry blocks.

Note a mechanical hazard is not associated with moving machinery. It can be very dangerous to wear gloves when using machinery as they can catch in moving parts or serrated blades

Gloves should not be used when working with serrated blades. In this circumstance, guard should be used.

The British and European Standard is BS EN 388.

There is a scale indicating the resistance of gloves to

Abrasion        Performance Index              1  to  4

Blade Cut       Performance Index              1  to  5

Tear                Performance Index              1  to  4

Puncture        Performance index               1  to  4

In each case 1 is the lowest performance rating.

Gloves Resistant to Chemical Hazards

Any substance which could irritate or burn the skin is classed as a chemical hazard whether splashing or total immersion is involved. Some substances have an immediate effect whilst others can cause skin sensitisation over a period of time.

The European Norm covering the performance of Chemically Protective Gloves is now EN 374.2003

At least twelve chemicals have been identified by the letters A to L have be nominated and a manufacturer has to submit gloves to be tested by any of these against any of these three before approval is obtained. Penetration and permeation through the glove is measured to determine the breakthrough time.

To gain approval as a chemically resistant glove a breakthrough time of greater than 30 minutes. The glove then carries a pictogram together with the identification letters of the 3 chemicals against which it was tested for example, BS EN 374 ABC

If a glove fails to achieve 30 minutes of breakthrough time it can still be classified as “Low Chemical Resistance” and is identified by a different pictogram without the identification letters. BS EN 374.2003.

It is not necessary for a manufacturer to resubmit gloves already approved under the previous version of BS EN 374. Gloves approved to BS EN 374 will carry a pictogram indicating that information is available about the glove and its instructions and limitations in use.

The microorganism pictogram is used where the glove performs to at least level 2 for the permeation test, i.e. at least 30 minutes.

Gloves resistant to Thermal Hazards

Heat - These come in many forms. It may be radiated and conducted or it may come into contact with flames. Heat-resistant gloves are approved to BS EN 407

Cold - Cold may be something like cold water, freezers, or frozen gases. It is important to know the type of hazard and the temperature involved in order to recommend the appropriate protective gloves. Gloves that are resistant to cold are approved to BS EN 511.

Gloves

• Ensure gloves fit the wearer properly and are worn correctly for the job being done, for example, there should be no gap between the glove and the wearer’s sleeve when handling dangerous chemicals.
• Ensure that users can handle and remove the gloves properly so as to avoid contamination of the hands and the inside of the glove. If contaminants get inside the glove and are held against the skin they may cause greater exposure than if the glove had not been worn.
• Ensure that users wash their hands thoroughly when they change their gloves and that they moisturise their hands at least once a day;
• Check the condition of gloves regularly and throw them away when they have deteriorated. They should be free of holes or cuts and debris and their shape should not be distorted;
• Do not use a glove for extended periods as this can lead to the development of excessive moisture (sweat) on the skin which in itself will act as an irritant;
• Select gloves carefully for chemical resistance and protection, especially against mixtures. Do not use them for longer than the recommended breakthrough times. Manufacturers will advise on breakthrough times for their products.

Barrier Creams

Barrier creams may sometimes be used as an aid to skin hygiene in situations where gloves cannot be used.  Experience shows, however, that barrier creams are less reliable than suitable gloves as a means of chemical protection.     

Do not use pre-work creams, sometimes sold as barrier creams, as a replacement for carefully selected gloves.

Barrier creams are not PPE because:

• They do not provide full protection against hazards;
• Workers may not apply them correctly, leaving part of their skin uncovered;
• There is no information available on the rate of penetration of substances through pre-work creams; and
• Protection may be removed while working without the workers noticing.

The choice should be made on the basis of suitability for protection, compatibility with the work, and the requirements of the user.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and markings for appropriate use and level of protection. 

When selecting gloves for chemical protection, check with the manufacturers/suppliers whether they will give the appropriate level of protection.

Penetration and Abrasion

Gloves made from chain-mail or leather protect against penetration and abrasion.  Gloves made from knitted Kevlar will provide protection against cuts and gloves manufactured from Kevlar needle felt give good puncture resistance.

Thermal Protection

Depending upon their weight and construction, terrycloth gloves will provide protection against heat and cold. 

Gloves made from neoprene are good for handling oils in low temperatures. 

Gloves manufactured from other materials such as Kevlar, glass fibre, and leather can be used to provide protection at higher temperatures.

Fire Resistance

Chromed leather gloves are fire retardant.

Chemical Protection

Chemical protective gloves are available in a range of materials including natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, butyl, PVA, PVC, and Viton.

General Use Gloves

• rubber, plastic or knit fabric gloves are flexible, resist cuts and abrasions, repel liquids, and offer a good grip;
• rubber gloves allow a sensitive touch and give a firm grip in water or wet conditions;
• leather, cotton knit or other general purpose gloves are suitable for most other jobs;
• general use gloves should only be used to protect against minimal risks to health and safety (e.g. for gardening and washing up and similar low-risk tasks).

Gloves should:

• be maintained in good condition;
• be checked regularly and be discarded if they are worn or deteriorated;
• be free of holes or cuts and foreign materials;
• be in shape and not be distorted.

Gloves should always be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions as they may have particular finishes which may be damaged by inappropriate cleaning

Contact between the gloves and chemicals should be kept to a minimum as some chemicals can alter the physical characteristics of a glove and impair its protective properties. 

Gloves contaminated by chemicals should be washed as soon as possible and before their removal from the hands. 

Grossly contaminated gloves should be discarded. 

Gloves contaminated on the inside can be dangerous as the chemical contamination will be absorbed by the skin so they should be discarded. 

Wear armlets if there is a danger of chemicals entering the glove at the cuff.

Checklist for selecting protective gloves

Hazards present

Wet work

Hazardous substances - solid, liquid, gas – data sheet/label information

Temperature (during use)

Mechanical hazards present - snag, puncture, abrasion, cut, tear

Thermal hazards – heat, cold, hot splashes, sparks

Biological hazards, infectious material - bacteria, viruses etc

Body fluids - blood, urine etc

Static electricity

Radiation

Task requirements

Grip requirements - dry grip, wet grip, oily

Special requirements, for example, sterile, food grade

Dexterity requirements – precision, some dexterity

Type and duration of contact

Type of contact - accidental splash, direct contact, immersion (depth), deposition

Duration of contact – occasional, continual

Wearer requirements

Size

Inner gloves required

Length of arm to be protected

Any known skin allergies or other considerations