Hand Safety: Finding the Perfect Fit and Function in Industrial Gloves

Your hands are your most valuable tools in the industrial world, and protecting them is paramount to maintaining safety and productivity. Selecting the right glove isn't just about grabbing the nearest pair; it's a critical safety decision that requires a careful analysis of the hazards, the work environment, and the need for fit and function. When hand injuries account for a significant percentage of workplace incidents, getting this choice right is a fundamental part of an effective safety program.

The Regulatory Framework for Hand Protection

Before selecting a glove, it's essential to understand the governing standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates in 29 CFR 1910.138 that employers must select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when hands are exposed to hazards. Specifically, the selection must be based on an evaluation of the glove’s performance characteristics relative to the task, conditions, duration of use, and identified hazards.

While OSHA sets the requirements, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in partnership with the International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA 105), provides the classification system for measuring glove performance. This voluntary-yet-essential standard tests and rates gloves against:

• Mechanical Hazards: Cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance.

• Chemical Hazards: Permeation and degradation resistance.

• Thermal Hazards: Heat, ignition, and cold resistance.

Checking a glove's ANSI/ISEA 105 rating ensures you're selecting equipment that has been tested to provide the appropriate level of protection for the specific hazards your workers face.

Step 1: Analyze the Hazards and Environment

Proper glove selection begins with a thorough hazard assessment of the worker's task and location. The ideal glove for a construction site will differ dramatically from one for a forge or a chemical lab.

What are Your Workers Handling?

• Sharp Objects (Metal Sheets, Glass): Require gloves with high cut and puncture resistance, often featuring materials like engineered fibers or metal mesh. Check the ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level (A1-A9) for appropriate protection—the higher the number, the greater the resistance.
• Chemicals: Selection must be based on the specific substance and its Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A glove's Chemical Resistance—its ability to prevent permeation and degradation—is critical. For example, Butyl rubber is often used for highly corrosive acids, while Nitrile offers good general resistance to oils and many solvents.
• Small Nuts and Bolts / Power Tools: These tasks introduce two competing needs: protection and dexterity. Gloves must protect against cuts, abrasion, and Vibration Resistance from tools like grinders and sanders, while still being thin and flexible enough to handle small parts.
• Oils or Liquids: A coating that provides high Oil Resistance is essential to prevent tool slippage, which can lead to dropped object accidents or over-extension injuries. Foamed or sponge nitrile coatings offer superior grip in wet or oily conditions by drawing liquid away from the surface.

Where are They Working?

• Forge / High Heat Environments: Require gloves with high Heat Resistance to protect against radiant heat, molten metals, or hot steam. Specialized leather or aluminized gloves are often necessary to deflect heat.
• Outdoor or Cold Environments: Demand gloves with good Cold Resistance to prevent numbness, loss of grip, and frostbite. This is especially important for outdoor construction or winter work, and may require insulated gloves.
• Wet/High Humidity Areas (Coastal, Rainy): Gloves with excellent Water Resistance and a robust coating are necessary. This protects the hand and extends the service life of the glove by preventing material breakdown.

What High-Energy Substances are Present?

• High Voltage: Voltage Resistance is non-negotiable for electrical work. Insulating rubber gloves (OSHA 1910.137 compliance is mandatory) are used to prevent electrical shock. These specialized gloves are graded by voltage class and must be regularly inspected and tested.
• Molten Metals or Hot Steam: Require heat and flame-resistant gloves, typically leather or specialized synthetic fibers, that offer high thermal protection for both conductive and radiant heat exposure.

Step 2: Optimizing for Function with Dexterity

The best glove for the job is the one your worker will actually wear and use safely. A bulky glove that offers maximum protection but compromises a worker’s ability to manipulate small objects or maintain a secure grip is a liability. This is where dexterity—the ease of movement and fine motor control—becomes a key consideration.

The Role of Glove Gauge

The single most important factor in a glove's dexterity is the Glove Gauge, which measures the number of stitches or knits per inch.

The higher the gauge, the thinner and more flexible the material, resulting in better hand mobility and grip. By combining a high gauge with engineered fabrics (such as advanced synthetic fibers), manufacturers now produce gloves that offer top-tier cut, abrasion, and puncture resistance without compromising dexterity. This combination provides the best all-around injury prevention for general labor and assembly tasks.

Conclusion: Safety by Design

Selecting the appropriate industrial glove demands a holistic view of the worksite. You must evaluate the potential physical, chemical, electrical, and thermal hazards to ensure the glove meets regulatory and performance standards. By focusing equally on maximum protection and optimal dexterity, you can provide workers with hand protection that is not only compliant with OSHA and ANSI/ISEA 105 but is also comfortable and functional enough to be worn consistently and correctly. Choosing the right fit and function is the key to minimizing risk and maximizing safety.

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.

goSafe: Your Partner in Safety

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.

Watch the video below for more information about goSafe's capabilities.