Glove: an essential layer of protection

Gloves are a form of protective layering mostly made out of cloth, which are worn by individuals around the world for protecting their hands from any kind of external disturbance.

These are comfortable to wear as they provide sufficient comfort to an individual and are worn as winter work gloves, playing gloves, or medical gloves.

What are the different types of gloves?

 There are different types of gloves available in the market which are used by people around the globe in many different ways. Some of the types of gloves are listed below.

• Cotton or Fabric gloves – Cotton gloves are the most common type of gloves for general work or projects where a high level of protection is not the priority. These gloves have a thin layer of lightweight fabric that covers the palm and the fingers and offers little safety to the individual wearing them. This type of glove is mostly used to prevent minor scrapes or splinters, but they don’t have the ability to prevent punctures, burns, or any cuts.

• Coated gloves – Coated gloves are the kind of work gloves in which the palm areas are coated with protective material. Nitrile, PVC, and polyurethane are common types of coatings, and the type of coating required varies according to the purpose of the job it is needed for. Coated gloves provide a little more protection against punctures, cuts, and chemicals.

• Leather gloves – Leather gloves are made of the most common type of leather hide known as cowhide. These gloves provide comfort, insulation, durability, and good grip. They’re thicker than regular fabric, which gives them the ability to offer a high level of protection. They offer adequate burn protection when exposed to heat. Welders around the globe commonly use this type of gloves, because they usually come with a durable liner to offer extra protection.

• Aluminized gloves – Aluminized gloves are one of the best types of gloves to wear when working with heat. Their heat-resistant capacity is extremely high, this is the reason why they are commonly used in welding, foundries, and laboratories. They can protect the hands of the user without fail at temperatures ranging up to 2,000ºF.

• Latex or plastic gloves – Latex gloves are made of natural rubber latex material, which is found in the trunk of rubber trees. The most common area of use for these gloves is medical settings or laboratories. These gloves are usually form-fitting to allow for optimum movability while offering protection from biohazards, chemicals, or any other harmful substance.

• Impact-resistant gloves – The impact of prolonged vibration is dangerous for the health and safety of an individual. Impact-resistant gloves can help to reduce the impact of extended vibration. These gloves are made of high-density polyethylene that helps to absorb much of the impact of vibrating tools or equipment, due to this less energy is transferred to the hands. They are most commonly used in the fabrication, automotive, and construction industries where workers use vibrating tools for extended periods of time.

• Insulated leather work gloves – Insulated leather work gloves provide great breathability due to their porous texture, and become softer with use and withstand moisture without stiffening the material. These gloves are made of a kind of leather that makes the gloves smooth while providing durability and dexterity. This type of glove works great as winter work gloves because they provide great comfort and warmth, acting as a barrier to the cold.

Importance of wearing gloves

 Wearing gloves is important for all individuals, to get protected from heat and dirt. Some of the sectors where wearing gloves is a must are:

• In hospitals and laboratories – The use of single-use gloves or disposable gloves is considered to be the best choice in case of the healthcare sector. The gloves which are used in this sector are sterile surgical gloves that have specific characteristics of thickness, elasticity, and strength. Wearing gloves reduces the risk of contamination of the hands of healthcare workers with blood and body fluids, including contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin. These gloves help in reducing the risk of transmission of infectious agents to the patient’s environment and to other patients. Laboratories are places that are filled with chemical and highly reactive components. In the case of laboratories, it is extremely important to wear gloves, as they help in protecting the hand from getting burned or damaged to any other extent by these chemicals or acids.
• In the kitchen and hotel industry – It is extremely important to wear gloves in the kitchen or for people involved in the hotel industry as wearing gloves helps in avoiding cross-contamination. For instance, guests with allergies, intolerances, or other dietary restrictions may be harmed if a situation of cross-contaminate arises, this may result in harming the overall image of the business and result in loss. It is important to think about the purpose of avoiding cross-contamination, beyond the basics. While it may be hectic to do scrupulous cleaning and sanitizing, and use of gloves helps in ensuring that guests are only eating the ingredients they are ordering. Wearing gloves also helps in keeping the whole process of cooking clean and hygienic, resulting in minimal chances of infection.

Key takeaways

 Gloves play a huge role in protecting the hands of an individual not only from dirt or heat but also from any other external factors like cold, bacteria, or chemicals. There are different kinds of gloves available in the market which are worn by people from all working sectors. Thus it is extremely important for an individual to wear gloves for protecting their hands.