Safety: help's at hand
December 1st 2006 Hands at work are vulnerable to a multitude of hazards. However, the latest fibres and materials used for safety gloves ensure that a high level of protection is available. Val Kealey visited Marigold Industrial, part of the Comasec International Group (CMIG), in Portugal to see what is involved in producing such important items of PPE and found out about a new glove designed for those who need to balance hand protection with precision handling Since its formation in the late 1960s, Marigold Industrial has grown to become a global brand in industrial hand protection. Its Portugal plant alone has the capacity annually to produce 13 million pairs of dipped gloves and three million pairs of knitted gloves, while its plant in Malaysia can manufacture a staggering 200 million pairs of gloves annually. Perhaps what struck me most about my visit to the plant in Portugal was just how much is involved in producing what appears to be such a simple item of PPE. Rows of hi-tech machines are synchronised to computer programmed glove designs and operate 24 hours a day, five days a week with the predominantly female staff working in three shifts. In terms of knitted gloves, recent advances in fibre technology have enabled glove manufacturers to deliver products with enhanced performance to protect against cuts, burns and extremes of both heat and cold. The bulky, uncomfortable gloves and gauntlets of the past have been replaced by a range of knitted gloves that combine comfort with protection and dexterity with grip, factors that make them a lot more likely to be worn. In a matter of minutes the 84 glove knitting machines and two circular sleeve knitting machines installed at the Portugal plant can produce gloves or sleeves to protect the hands and arms of employees in a diverse range of industries. A batch traceability number is printed on all blade-cut level 5 gloves and all are 100% inspected by a metal detector, just one of many quality control procedures that are in place to ensure the quality of the finished gloves. The company has recently invested in a spacious textiles building but, as Neil Discombe, managing director, is quick to point out, the site still has room for further expansion. Health and safety is taken extremely seriously. A new water supply and fire protection system have been installed and employees have health, safety and environment training days where they watch presentations and participate in games designed to get the health and safety message across in a way that will stick. New addition The company reports that trials have recently been completed on a new glove. Called Flexilight, it is designed to provide those working in the light assembly sector with high levels of comfort and dexterity. Made from a seamless polycotton and Elasthane liner with a breathable nitrile outer coating to the palms and upper sides of the fingers, it provides good ventilation, a high level of flexibility and comfort for the wearer. Donald Gillespie, international marketing manager for Marigold Industrial, comments "Flexilight is a real handson glove and perfectly suited for those working in precision handling environments, product finishing and white goods areas where the quality of the end result is of ultimate importance." CMIG continues to invest in developing and manufacturing protective gloves to meet the changing needs of its customers. Its dedicated approach to R&D ensures it remains a key player in the hand protection industry and, at the Portugal plant, Neil Discombe and his team are driven by the desire to further improve their products to benefit all who rely on them for protection. More articles from Comasec UK: | 
