A question we often get asked here at WorkStuffUK is which work gloves do I buy for the job at hand?

We’ve put together this short blog to help you.

The best way we’ve found is to use a 3-step process.

To identify the Task, the Hazard and the Risk of injury.

• Task – What are you doing? Where are you working?

• Hazard – Identify what could cause injury and what is the level of control that you have?

• Risk – What is the likelihood of injury whilst performing the task?

If you want to view our range of Gloves, you can do so here

Assess the type of work that is being done and on the other hand decide how much flexibility is needed.

• Light Duty: low wear and a relatively clean environment. High gauge material can be considered with palm coating

• Medium Duty: variety of working conditions but still low wear

• Heavy Duty: high wear, tough working conditions, dirty environment

Required dexterity – Material

• Low: handling large bulky items – Leather Work Gloves, PVC. 7-gauge fabric

• Medium: handling smaller items that can be held in one hand – Polyester, Aramid. 10-gauge fabric

• High: handling very small items that can be held in the fingertips – Nylon, HPPE. 13 – 18-gauge fabric

Glove Coatings

• Dry Conditions: PU, Latex, Nitrile (Foam, Sandy, Smooth)

• Wet Conditions: Latex, PU, Nitrile (Foam, Sandy)

• Oily/Greasy Conditions: Nitrile (Foam, Sandy)

• Chemicals: Latex, Nitrile, PVC

• Heat: Leather

• Cold: All

What can cause an injury? Break the task down into 5 hazard factors to identify the level of control you have.

No Hazard – Factor 1

Fully Controlled Hazard – Factor 2

Controlled Measures – Factor 3

Limited Control – Factor 4

No Control – Factor 5

If chemicals make up part of the hazard, then this should take priority over the cut resistance because it’s principal hazard.
Heat and Cold Hazards should be assessed separately because often a heat or cold hazard is the principal hazard. The need to protect against these types of hazards will limit the range gloves that you will have to choose from.

What is the likelihood of getting injured? The risk can be divided into 6 risk factors.

No Perceived Risk – Factor 1

Very Low Risk – Factor 2

Low Risk – Factor 3

Medium Risk – Factor 4

High Risk – Factor 5

Very High Risk – Factor 6

Once you have carried out a risk assessment for the tasks you are performing you can use the Hazard x Risk calculation to help select the appropriate levels of cut resistance.
Multiplying the Risk by the Hazard therefore provides a performance level (value) from which to base the required cut resistance. The value used for the new test method is Newton’s, following this method will give an appropriate Newton value.

Using the two Factor scales above, calculate the required minimum cut performance. e.g. High Risk (5) x Limited Control (4) = 20

Apply the performance level to the EN388:2016 levels below to find a suitable level of cut protection.

Work Gloves are tested to a minimum performance level so if you are unsure of the required level of cut protection choose the next level up. For example, if your assessment suggests 12 Newtons then perhaps choose a level D glove.

We hope this helped you find your Work Gloves!

If you want to view our range of Gloves, you can do so here.