Top trends in hand protection

As a result, reputable glove manufacturers are continually advancing and innovating with new, high-performance, materials and products and the latest technology, offering a large variety of safety gloves that do not sacrifice performance for protection.

There are around 40,000 injuries to the hand reported to the HSE each year, so good safety gloves need to protect from physical harm such as cuts, abrasions, tears or punctures, chemicals, impact, oil and grease, as well as providing reliable grip. The right glove for the right task, dermatological issues and comfort all need to be considered as well. 

According to the HSE, handling is particularly associated with work-related ill health arising from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The latest three-year averaged statistics (2009/10 to 2011/12) show that more than a third of MSDs were caused by handling, comprising an estimated 222,000 cases.

Health

Skincare is currently a hot issue, with stringent dermatological testing and accreditation a growing industry. The advantage of having official certification is becoming increasingly clear because of the risks of allergy or adverse reactions to some gloves, which can lead to the miserable conditions of eczema, dermatitis or urticaria. 

Procurers of gloves should look for accredited quality, such as the proDERM quality seal, from the Hamburg-based Institute for Applied Dermatological Research. The proDERM accreditation takes dermatological testing to a new level giving the wearer absolute confidence that the skin tolerability of the glove has been extensively and robustly clinically trialled.  Gloves with the proDERM seal are gloves that can be trusted, unlike some other gloves, which often make meaningless claims of being ‘dermatologically safe’. Other bodies, such as the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which tests for tests for harmful substances in textiles, and Skin Health Alliance (SHA), also offer a level of dermatological accreditation.

The HSE reports that the most common causes of occupational dermatitis are working with wet hands, and contact with soaps and cleaning materials. Feedback from GPs during 2009-2011 suggests there could be around 40,000 new cases of work-related skin disease per year.

The right materials

New materials for use within the glove liner and its overall construction are continually being developed and also have an important part to play in reducing skin irritation. Whereas barrier creams were once used to try to prevent skin problems, gloves are now made with breathable materials that allow long-term wear, since they increase hygiene and temperature control and therefore comfort levels, and lead to increased productivity by the wearer and a reduced likelihood of dermatitis. 

Seams inside the glove should not be overlooked, as they can cause pressure points and rub the hand, particularly when the wearer is hot. Higher quality gloves with seamless liners fit like a second skin and increase wearer comfort. The definition of comfort could be said to be no discomfort.

Good grip

The importance of grip and control is also intensifying, as demonstrated by the growing availability of a huge variety of glove coatings, such as absorbent coatings for grip in oily and greasy environments and repellent coatings for wet environments. Coatings can play as important a part in providing protection as the basic material of the glove. A coating that offers good grip means that the employee will not be overexerting or straining their muscles, so resulting in less fatigue and injury. 

Inadequate grip can lead to musculo-skeletal injuries from trying to grip too hard, the risk of objects being dropped or slipping through hands, the transference of risk to another part of the body from the hand, and increased risk of cuts.

The method of applying a coating to the glove can enhance the comfort levels of the wearer. Break through must be avoided, as it could irritate the skin, or the chemicals used could cause skin irritation, even though the liner does not. 

Conclusions

The use of appropriate hand protection is a very effective way of preventing injury and ill-health and brings huge benefits to both employer and employee. Keeping up with the latest developments will pay dividends to both.