The term “personal protective equipment,” or PPE, is a broad one that is defined by OSHA as “equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.”
PPE can include a variety of items including respirators, coveralls, and safety glasses, but in today’s post, we’re going to focus on one particular PPE item: gloves.
What Kinds of Gloves are Considered PPE by OSHA?
Though there are many different kinds of gloves out there, OSHA breaks down gloves that are considered as PPE into four different categories:
- Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves
- Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
- Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
- Insulating Rubber Gloves
1) Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves
Gloves made from these kinds of materials serve a few purposes:
- Protection from cuts
- Protection from burns
- Protection against heat (note: leather or canvas only)
Leather gloves provide protection against rough objects, chips, blows, sparks, and moderate heat, while canvas and metal mesh gloves offer similar, yet different, kinds of protection.
Also, one major advantage to metal mesh gloves is that they provide protection against cuts and punctures.
2) Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Fabric gloves and coated fabric gloves are usually made out of cotton and other materials and offer protection against abrasions, chafing, and more.
While fabric gloves’ uses are limited to protection against slivers, dirt, and cuts, coated fabric gloves are more general-purpose in nature, are slip-resistant, and are designed for applications like handling wire and lab containers.
3) Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
These gloves are exactly what they sound like – gloves which are resistant to different kinds of harmful chemicals and liquids such as peroxides, rocket fuels, acids, gasoline, and caustics.
OSHA states that gloves that fall in this PPE category are made of different kinds of materials:
- Rubber (Natural, butyl, neoprene, fluorocarbon, and nitrile)
- Plastic (Polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyvinyl alcohol)
Some examples of common kinds of gloves that are made of the rubber and plastic materials mentioned above include:
- Natural (Latex) Rubber Gloves – Made of natural rubber latex and offer protection against abrasions and most water solutions of salts, ketones, acids, and alkalis
- Butyl Gloves – Made of synthetic rubber and offer protection against chemicals, oxidation, abrasion, and ozone corrosion
- Neoprene Gloves – Made of synthetic rubber and offer protection against gasoline, alcohols, alkalis, organic acids, and hydraulic fluids
- Nitrile Gloves – Made from a synthetic polymer composed of three monomers (acrylonitrile, butadiene, and a carboxylic acid) and offer protection against oils, acids, greases, alcohols, and chlorinated solvents
4) Insulating Rubber Gloves
Insulating rubber gloves – along with all other insulating products for electrical PPE – must meet specific standards, including being produced by a seamless process, being marketed as its specific class (Class 1, 2, 3, etc.)., and be capable of separately withstanding a specific a proof-test voltage after soaking for 16 hours.
Omni’s PPE Gloves
Omni International Corp. is proud to offer an array of nitrile, vinyl, and latex gloves which can be classified as PPE for several markets including jan/san, safety, and healthcare.
Nitrile Gloves
Omni’s nitrile gloves come in a variety of sizes, colors, and applications from powder free examination gloves to anti-microbial AMS multi-purpose gloves.
Featured Nitrile Glove: OmniTrust #204 Series Ultimate Nitrile Powder Free LT Examination Glove
Thinner than our 203 Series gloves, these gloves offer the “ultimate” in tactile sensitivity along with the strength you expect from our nitrile glove products.
In addition, it is Chemo Rated for added protection from chemotherapy drugs, and its durability is proven in chemical resistance properties.
Vinyl Gloves
Omni’s vinyl gloves are actually polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves. PVC is used as a latex substitute in many medical and industrial applications.
Featured Vinyl Glove: OmniTrust Series #312 Vinyl Powder Free Examination Glove
The OmniTrust #312 Series Vinyl Powder Free Examination Gloves provide you with the best possible value because they’re made on the industry’s most efficient automated manufacturing lines and tested to the most stringent international quality standards.
CPE Gloves
Omni International Corp.’s new cast polyethylene (CPE) gloves – which are made of the plastic materials approved by OSHA – serve as a great alternative to vinyl gloves for industries like food service and food processing.
Latex Gloves
Omni’s latex glove selection includes multi-purpose options and powder free examination gloves.
Featured Latex Glove: OmniTrust #113 Series Latex Powder Free PL Examination Glove
Our OmniTrust Latex Powder Free PL is a reduced protein glove. It has our famous micro-texture matte finish for added grip control without loss of tactile sensitivity.
Choosing the Right PPE Gloves for Your Industry
When it comes to choosing which PPE gloves to use, it’s important to analyze the properties of each glove you’re evaluating and how resistant each glove is against chemicals spanning from acetaldehyde to xylenes.
As part of the glove evaluation process, we recommend that you test gloves before use. Glove suitability should be determined by the purchaser for each application or materials handled.
To evaluate all of Omni’s gloves and determine which option is best for the industry (or industries) you serve, get in touch with us today!