Selecting the right industrial glove involves a crucial balancing act: weighing protection and ease of use against cost value. It's a common mistake to assume that the most expensive gloves with the highest safety ratings are always the best choice. Similarly, simply defaulting to the cheapest option can lead to unintended, and costly, consequences.
True cost-effectiveness in hand protection is about making smart choices that reduce risks and extend the life of your gear. Here's how to ensure you're not spending more for the wrong gloves:
The Pitfalls of Overspending and Underspending
It's tempting to opt for the highest safety ratings, but an overly thick, highly-rated glove may restrict dexterity and prove less effective if a lower rating is all that's truly needed for the task. This can cause user frustration.
On the flip side, chasing the absolute lowest price is a gamble. Cheap glove manufacturers have been known to falsify protection ratings, claiming certified ANSI level protection without proper third-party testing. Choosing unverified gloves can lead to a false sense of security, putting workers at risk and potentially leading to higher costs from incidents.
Furthermore, a significant amount of money is wasted when gloves are simply thrown away or left unused because they get dirty or workers haven't been properly trained. These pitfalls lead to a loss in protection and unintended costs.
Key Strategies for Cost-Effective Glove Selection
Proper hand protection doesn’t always mean getting the most expensive gloves. Here are seven ways to achieve better protection and better cost value:
1. Get Certified ANSI Rated Gloves
Always confirm that your gloves are third-party rated for the correct ANSI level protection. Don't take a manufacturer's word for it; ask for their test documents. This ensures you're paying for verified protection, not just a claim.
2. Get Certifiably Durable Gloves
Longevity is a key factor in cost savings. Look for gloves with high abrasion resistance, which will last longer in manual labor, gripping, and power tool applications. Likewise, good water and oil resistance can significantly extend glove life when exposed to those elements.
3. Get Gloves That Can Be Cleaned or Laundered
Most gloves are thrown away because they're dirty, not because they're damaged. Implementing a simple process, like having workers rinse off gloves at the end of the day and leaving them to dry, can dramatically extend their useful life and reduce replacement costs.
4. Replace Older Styles with Certified Protective Gloves
Thicker doesn't always mean safer. Replacing older, bulky glove styles with thinner, more dexterous dipped gloves can offer the same or even better resistance against hazards while providing better dexterity and ease of use. This encourages workers to actually wear the hand protection, which is the ultimate goal.
5. Find Gloves That Workers Will Want to Wear
Forcing workers to wear an excessively thick or less dexterous glove (e.g., a Cut Level A5 glove for a simple Cut Level A3 task) will cause them to take them off often. This not only increases the risk of accidents but also means the glove you bought isn't being used effectively. Select gloves that offer the minimum required protection with maximum comfort and dexterity.
6. Train Workers on Proper Glove Use
Don't assume workers know which glove to grab. You're unlikely to find a "one-size-fits-all" glove for everyone or every task. Training is essential to ensure workers know which glove provides the correct type of resistance, amount of protection, and dexterity for the job, preventing misuse and early disposal.
7. Don't Always Pick Based on Brand
If cost is a major concern, be open to alternative brands. As long as the manufacturer provides third-party documentation for their ANSI certified ratings, you may find a less expensive, yet equally protective, option that delivers better overall value than a well-known name brand.
goSafe offers a wide variety of Hand Protection suitable for every task imaginable. Contact Us for more information about our Hand Protection selections or any questions related to safety and safety-related products.
For more information about Hand Protection, including Cut, Abrasion, Impact, and Puncture resistance, as well as Palm Coatings, Fit & Function, and overall Cost Effectiveness, please Click Here.
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At goSafe, Safety is our ONLY focus - and we'll partner with you to keep you and your teams safe. We're small enough to handle your local projects, yet large enough to serve national accounts. If safety is your mission, it starts with us.
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