Many occupations require employees to wear protective gloves to reduce the risk of chemical, biological, electrical, thermal, or mechanical injuries, such as cuts and burns.
Furthermore, safety gloves are part of the personal protective equipment prescribed by CNESST standards. Make sure you choose the right type of glove for your profession and the work you are doing.
How to choose the right safety gloves?
Your safety gloves protect you from your wrists to your fingers. Depending on the material they are made from, they are suitable for different work environments.
So, a welder will not wear the same types of gloves as an electrician or a handler who transports materials or chemicals.
At the HUSKY Store, we offer products for every activity requiring protection: polymer gloves, high-performance fiber knitted gloves, polymer-coated knitted gloves, and sewn gloves ideal for construction.
To choose the right pair for your profession and specific tasks, refer to your employer. They should also provide you with all other personal protective equipment free of charge:
- Helmet
- Glasses
- Steel-toed boots
- Earplugs
- Safety and high-end clothing
Characteristics of gloves according to my profession
Here is a brief summary of the characteristics of different types of gloves to help you choose the right pair for your professional activities.
Knitted gloves : Comfortable, they offer minimal protection, but can be worn under other gloves, especially because they breathe better and can absorb excess perspiration. Some are thicker to protect against the cold.
Polymer gloves: These are best suited for injuries such as cuts, room temperature, and chemical contact risks. They are also slightly waterproof.
Polyurethane gloves : Perfect for mechanics, for example, they are highly resistant to wear, perforation and abrasion. They offer great malleability and adhere very well to liquid surfaces, even oil.
Nitrile Gloves : Excellent for maintaining maximum dexterity, when you select quality nitrile gloves, they offer increased resistance to tears and punctures. They are used in the medical field as well as in manufacturing and mechanical engineering.
Leather gloves : These are particularly well-suited to handling and construction. Some are even lined and waterproofed for better weather resistance.
These are just a few examples, but at HUSKY, you will also find PVC-coated gloves, others specific to linemen, drivers and more.
What injuries do work gloves protect against?
Some people may find it unnecessary or difficult to work with gloves. This is a habit that develops, just like wearing safety glasses and earplugs.
Safety gloves protect against 5 different types of risks*:
- Injuries: cut, puncture, puncture, graze
- Chemicals: liquid, gaseous or solid particles
- Environmental conditions (physical hazards): heat, cold, flames, sparks
- Biological hazards: human and animal fluids, garbage, unsanitary environments, mold
- Electrical and electrostatic hazards: live electrical circuits and devices, accumulation of electrostatic charges
When and how to wear your protective gloves?
Wearing gloves can be very dangerous when performing certain tasks, particularly when handling tasks that present a risk of being caught in a moving machine between two rotating rollers or a saw blade.
In principle, your employer has all the information relating to the safety standards of your work, as well as those to be respected by the CNESST.
When your job requires safety gloves, follow these 3 rules to ensure optimal comfort at all times.
- Choose gloves that fit properly. If they're too small, they may restrict your circulation. Similarly, the wrong size glove can reduce your dexterity and increase risks rather than reduce them.
- Let your hands breathe! Wearing gloves all day, especially non-breathable ones, can quickly become uncomfortable and even dangerous, for example, when working in the cold. Hands that sweat without being kept dry will eventually freeze.
- Always carry at least one spare pair, ideally two. This will help you avoid any unexpected mishaps.
Psst! Whether you're an employee or an employer, if you're unsure which model(s) to choose, our advisors will guide you toward the most suitable options.
