In industries with heavy machinery and tools, the risk of hand injuries is high. Protecting your hands is important, and an effective way to do this is wearing impact-resistant gloves.
These gloves are designed to reduce the impact that is transferred to your hand. This will help reduce the risk of injury and hand conditions.
But what are impact-resistant gloves and are they the right glove for you?
How Do Impact-Resistant Gloves Work?
Impact-resistant gloves protect your hands by using materials to absorb and disperse the impact. The gloves have various design features to help protect your hands:
- Reinforced knuckles, fingers and the back of the hands to shield against direct impact.
- Impact-resistant gloves should have an ergonomic fit to allow for comfort and dexterity.
- Extra padding in the palm will help absorb vibrations when you are using heavy tools and machinery.
What Are the Standards of Impact-Resistant Gloves?
EN 388 is a standard that impact-resistant gloves have to meet. The gloves are tested on their abrasion resistance, cut resistance and impact protection. The gloves are scored on how well they perform and this will be shown on them.
Abrasion Resistance
The gloves are scored from one to four during the abrasion resistance test. The higher the number, the better they resist sandpaper pressure.
Cut Resistance
A knife is passed over the gloves until the material has been cut through. The test is scored between one and five; five is scored when the knife has been dulled by the gloves.
Tearing Strength
The gloves are tested on the force it takes to pull them apart. They can score a maximum of four, which is the strongest material.
Puncture Resistance
The gloves are scored from one to four to show the puncture resistance. They are tested on the amount of force it takes to puncture the material.
Cut Resistance ISO 13997
This test is only carried out if the gloves dulled the knife in the first cut resistance test. The gloves are given a score out of A to F on how long it takes for the knife to cut through the glove.
Impact Protection
If a glove offers impact resistance, then the letter P should be shown. This means the glove has been tested for impact.
Why Should You Wear Impact-Resistant Gloves?
Impact-resistant gloves protect your hands and fingers against impacts, such as strikes, crushes and pinches. The material absorbs and disperses the force of any impact. This helps reduce how much force is transferred to your hands.
Reducing the amount of hand injuries in your workplace is also important. Impact-resistant gloves can reduce the amount of downtime due to injury. As well as this, they can also help prevent chronic hand conditions.
Wearing impact-resistant gloves can help prevent:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive strain injury
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
What Industries Use Impact-Resistant Gloves?
Impact-resistant gloves are designed to protect your hands from blunt force impacts. They are used across various industries where hand injuries are a common risk. Some industries that use impact-resistant gloves are:
- Construction: Impact-resistant gloves are important in this industry. You will often handle heavy tools and machinery. As well as this, vibration-resistant gloves are also beneficial to reduce the effects of prolonged vibration.
- Mechanical: Working in this industry, your hands will be at risk of impact and cuts when using tools. Making sure you wear the right gloves means your hands are protected against injury.
- Automotive: Working in automotive and dealing with heavy parts and machinery, your hands can be injured. Impact-resistant gloves help reduce this risk of injury whilst still allowing you to work effectively.
How Do You Choose the Right Gloves?
Choosing the right gloves is important for protecting your hands and being able to work comfortably. When it comes to buying your gloves, you should consider:
- Your industry requirements
- The material they are made from
- Fit and comfort
Whether you are looking for impact-resistant gloves or cut-resistant impact gloves, Easy Gloves has a wide range. Contact us today and ensure your hands are protected so you can work with confidence.
