Types of Work Gloves

Anatomy of a Work Glove

Work Glove Shell Material

The shell material on your gloves will determine not only how protective it will be, but also how much dexterity and comfort it will provide. Different shells also provide different levels of breathability and durability. Many gloves also feature combinations of different shell materials, providing added versatility for a variety of functions.

Thermo-Plastic Rubber on Work Gloves

In addition to the glove shell and palm coatings, thermo-plastic rubber (TPR) is an additional form of protection which you may find in certain gloves, which offers further cushioning during tough jobs. It has added advantages of being more flexible and not cracking, and lasts longer than solid plastic. TPR is applied to the glove along the back of the hand, therefore providing coverage for both sides of your hands. TPR should extend to the back of the fingertips to ensure proper protection for your hands.

Winter Work Gloves

When working in a colder environment, having proper winter work gloves is a necessity. The correct type of glove can be determined by the environment you are in, as well as the amount of time spent in that environment. The best winter gloves feature an outer layer with a sturdy grip, an insulated inner layer, and a layer to wick away moisture. Insulation should wrap around each finger, not just in the front and back.

If you're in need of the best winter work glove to keep your hands warm during the colder months, look for a glove with a relatively thin layer of insulation to ensure warmth while providing flexibility. Liners are great for cold weather work gloves, as they replace insulation and are removable in case midday temperatures don't require a warm glove. Like thin insulation, liners are a great winter work glove for dexterity, but they allow you to have the flexibility to remove them when necessary, making them a great fit for regions with milder winters.

Work Glove Protection and CE Standard EN 388

To determine if the glove you purchase will provide the industry standard of protection against abrasions, cuts, tears, and punctures, and to determine the difference between the different levels of protection, the CE Standard EN 388 provides a ranking system. The CE mark essentially rates four types of threats to determine how protective the glove may be against the threat. The four types of threats are:

• The Abrasion Test - 180 grit sand paper is rubbed in a circular motion over the surface of the glove, and the number of cycles taken to break through the material determines the ranking on a scale of 1 - 4.
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• The Cut Test - A circular blade rotates forward and backward over the material, and a ranking on a scale of 1 - 5 is determined based on the number of strokes taken across the fabric. An additional test may be given if the material tests above a ranking of 3, in which a straight blade is run along the fabric. This rating system is ranked on a letter system, from A - F.
  
• The Tear Test - A tensometer machine pulls a sample of the material apart, providing a rating on a scale of 1 - 4 to determine how much force was required before the material tore apart.
  
• The Puncture Test - A rounded stylus is forced through the glove material at a regulated speed. The amount of force taken to break through the fabric determines the rating on a scale of 1 - 4.

The higher the score on any test, the more protective the glove is. A glove will show its rating as a series of the four numbers; for example, if a glove showed a CE rating of 3542, it would have gotten a rating of 3 on the abrasion test, 5 on the cut test, 4 on the tear test, and 2 on the puncture test. To ensure your glove is fitting the safety standards needed for your daily tasks, be sure to pay close attention to the CE ratings, as well as any ANSI level information.