September 2026
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Inside the September Issue |
Industrial Safety Gloves Hand Protection at the Industrial Level
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.
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.
Where are They Working?
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. Full story »
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