Gloves & Hand Protection
Hand injuries are among the most common jobsite injuries. The right glove for the task prevents cuts, punctures, burns, chemical exposure and crushed fingers.
- Construction
- General Industry
Match the glove to the hazard
| Hazard | Glove |
|---|---|
| General material handling, splinters, abrasion | Leather or coated general-purpose gloves |
| Sheet metal, glass, blades | Cut-resistant gloves rated by ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level (A1 lowest to A9 highest) |
| Pinch and impact (rigging, pipe, oilfield) | Impact gloves with back-of-hand padding |
| Wet concrete, solvents, fuels, acids | Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl). Check the SDS and the glove chart for the right material. |
| Hot work and welding | Welding gloves (leather gauntlets) |
| Cold | Insulated, water-resistant gloves |
| Energized electrical work | Rubber insulating gloves of the right class, with leather protectors, tested on schedule |
| Vibration | Anti-vibration gloves (limited benefit; also limit exposure time) |
Cut levels
ANSI/ISEA 105 rates cut resistance by how much force (in grams) it takes a blade to cut through:
| Level | Grams to cut | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| A1–A2 | 200–999 | Light material handling, small parts |
| A3–A4 | 1,000–2,199 | Drywall, light sheet metal, glass handling, general construction |
| A5–A6 | 2,200–3,999 | Heavy sheet metal, metal stamping, glass manufacturing |
| A7–A9 | 4,000 and up | Very sharp edges, heavy metal fabrication, recycling |
Cut-resistant doesn’t mean cut-proof, and most cut gloves offer little protection against punctures from needles or wire.
Rubber insulating gloves
| Class | Maximum use voltage (AC) |
|---|---|
| 00 | 500 V |
| 0 | 1,000 V |
| 1 | 7,500 V |
| 2 | 17,000 V |
| 3 | 26,500 V |
| 4 | 36,000 V |
Air-test rubber gloves for leaks before each use, wear leather protectors over them, and send them for electrical testing before first use and at least every 6 months. Only qualified workers use them. See Qualified Workers.
When NOT to wear gloves: Don’t wear gloves near rotating or moving parts that can catch them: drill presses, lathes, bench grinders, rotating shafts, power-driven rollers. A caught glove pulls your hand in.
Inspect and fit
- No holes, tears, cuts or worn-through spots
- Chemical gloves: no swelling, cracking, stiffness or discoloration
- Snug fit: too loose catches on things, too tight tires your hands
- Cuffs long enough for the task (gauntlets for splashes and sparks)
Protect your hands beyond gloves
- Keep hands out of pinch points and the “line of fire.” Use push sticks, tag lines and tools to position loads.
- Use the right tool. Most hand cuts come from knives and improvised tools.
- Remove rings and jewelry, which can cause “degloving” injuries.
- Take care of your skin. Wet cement, solvents and frequent handwashing cause dermatitis. Use barrier creams and moisturizers, and wear gloves for wet work.
- Throw away chemical gloves that are contaminated or past their breakthrough time. Don’t reuse disposable gloves.
Hand injury? For deep cuts, crush injuries and amputations, control bleeding and get help fast. See Bleeding Control and Amputation Response.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1910.138: Hand protection
- 29 CFR 1910.137: Electrical protective equipment
- ANSI/ISEA 105: Hand protection classification
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