Gloves can be grouped into two main categories: disposable or reusable. Each type has advantages and disadvantages and it’s important to understand the applications of each type.

Disposable Gloves

There are two main types of disposable gloves: those for general use and medical/examination-grade gloves. Both are meant to be used once and then discarded.

All-purpose gloves are used in applications such as:

  •  Food handling
  • Janitorial/cleaning
  • Esthetic services
  • Automotive and other workshop settings

Medical/examination-grade gloves are used in applications such as:

  • Examinations
  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Other healthcare applications

Medical/examination-grade gloves are regulated by health authorities and must follow specific guidelines.

Reusable Gloves

Reusable gloves, often known as industrial or heavy-duty gloves, provide greater protection and are less prone to rips and tears compared to disposable gloves. They also offer better resistance to toxins, chemicals and other dangerous materials. Reusable gloves must be washed and dried after each use to maintain their functionality. Proper care is especially crucial if the gloves are used with chemicals, to avoid cross-contamination and damage. Before each use, you should inspect reusable gloves for discoloration or any signs of deterioration. If there is any evidence of damage or contamination in the glove’s interior, they should be discarded.

Specifications for Gloves

Thickness: Glove thickness is measured in mils, or one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inches). Gloves typically range in thickness from 2 to 15 mils. In general, the thicker the glove, the more protection it offers. However, greater thickness reduces touch sensitivity and may make working more difficult. Reusable gloves are thicker and more protective than disposable gloves.

Tensile Strength: The amount of force or pull required to break the glove is known as tensile strength and is measured in millipascals (mPa). Gloves that have a lower mPa rating are more likely to tear easily. The tensile strength of medical gloves must be at least 11 mPa.

Elongation: Elongation is a measurement of how far the glove can be stretched until tearing or breaking. Medical gloves must have a minimum elongation of 300 percent.

Length: Glove length is measured from the tip of the index finger to the wrist opening. When employees conduct high-risk activities, such as dipping their hands in solutions, longer gloves are required to ensure protection.

Powder and Powder-Free Gloves: Disposable gloves are available as either powdered or powder-free. Powdered gloves were initially more popular because they were easier to put on and had a higher tear resistance than powder-free gloves. However, they are messier and have been shown to spread infection. As a result, the FDA has restricted powdered gloves for medical use in the United States since 2017.

Other countries and industries have also reduced their use of powdered gloves, and powder-free gloves are becoming more popular. Powder-free gloves are finished either using chlorination or a polymer coating. Chlorinated gloves are soaked in a chlorine gas or hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid solution and then rinsed clean. Chlorinated gloves are less difficult to put on than polymer-coated gloves.

Shelf life: The shelf life of each glove varies based on what it’s made of, but it is ultimately determined by how and where the glove is stored. The easiest way to guarantee that your disposable gloves last as long as possible is to keep them at room temperature and protect them from direct sunlight. Gloves stored incorrectly or used after their expiration date will have lower performance, including a higher risk of tearing.

Length of Exposure: Gloves can provide excellent protection against chemicals depending on the glove material and type and length of contact. Chemical contact can be classified as either incidental or extended.

Reusable gloves are the safest glove option if you or your employees regularly work with highly polluted and dangerous materials or high temperatures, or if you often submerge your hands in chemical solutions. Reusable gloves are thicker and give more protection in circumstances of prolonged exposure. Always consult the glove maker to determine which substances the gloves are resistant to.

Incidental contact: Incidental contact occurs when gloves are unexpectedly exposed to overspray, spills or splashes. If you suspect you might come into contact with chemicals or hazardous substances by accident, use a disposable glove with some chemical resistance, and then dispose of it as soon as possible after contact.

Final Thoughts: It’s worth noting that WHIMS/OSHA mandates that gloves properly fit all personnel, which means you’ll have to buy a variety of sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. As well, gloves are packaged in boxes of as few as 100 to boxes of 300 or more.

Appropriate gloves are necessary to protect against sharp objects, punctures, bodily fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals. Each set of gloves has advantages and disadvantages and it’s crucial to choose the correct one for your industry or application.

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