Keeping the proper protection at hand: A guide to disposable gloves
Wearing disposable gloves can be a nuisance. Maybe the gloves keep sliding, making a sure grip impossible. Or they break at inconvenient times, possibly endangering your ability to perform your job safely. From food service to healthcare to sanitation, disposable gloves are part of the everyday workday but often the specific needs of each profession aren’t taken in favor of the bottom line.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues recommendations for when and what Personal Protection Equipment should be used to prevent exposure to infectious diseases, include gloves, gowns/aprons, masks, goggles and face shields. A quick look at a petri dish can help explain why. Many companies and industries work hard to comply with federal and state regulations involving sanitation and safety, but when it comes to choosing disposable gloves, there is more to it than the price on the box.
Gloves are necessary in many industries that are dirty or potentially dangerous and there are a lot of types of gloves on the market. When choosing disposable gloves for your employees, there are three main components to consider: fit, durability and possible allergy concerns. Gloves made of different materials have different pros and cons regarding these components and how they meet your needs. SITEX sells Nitrile, Vinyl and Latex disposable gloves which are all designed to prevent fluid contact and hazardous transfer.
Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic rubber and are more puncture resistance than traditional latex gloves. Although Nitrile gloves are most commonly used in tough industries such as automotive, industrial or chemical due to their durability, these gloves can be approved by the FDA to be called “medical grade” and used in hospitals or medical institutions. Nitrile gloves are comfortable for long wear, latex-free, and are available in either sterile or non-sterilized versions.
Vinyl is a great budget option in gloves for industries where gloves are worn for shorter periods of time, such as the food industry. These gloves have a looser fit, ideal for quick on-and-off situations, but are best used with non-chemical, non-hazardous materials.
Latex gloves are commonly used for medical or light industrial jobs. Made of rubber, these gloves are comfortable and are closely fit to many people’s hands. Latex gloves are typically priced between Nitrile and Vinyl gloves and are available in different thicknesses and sizes. If you choose to provide multiple size options so your employees can find a perfect fit, these gloves can be worn for a long time without risk of fluid getting in or hand discomfort. For environmentally minded companies, latex gloves may also be a good choice because they are biodegradable, unlike Nitrile gloves.
Unsure of where to start? Give SITEX a call and we can offer a helping hand picking the best gloves for your employees.