Accidental hand injuries are one of the most common injuries in the workplace.
A study conducted over a few patients of hand injuries suggested, “The economically productive age group of 21–55 years formed the major chunk (67 %). Closed fractures followed by soft tissue injury were the commonest injuries with associated injury of the proximal arm or the contra-lateral limb.”
Before nitrile coated gloves, the industry relied on traditional gloves for hand protection. These gloves had limitations in certain industrial applications, forcing wearers to compromise on safety. For example,
- Cotton gloves do not protect against sharp objects, punctures, and oily or wet conditions.
- Latex gloves degrade on exposure to certain oils, fuels, and solvents, and can also cause skin allergies.
- Disposable gloves are for one-time use with mild substances and have low strength, making them unsuitable for crucial work situations.
- Leather gloves are good for rough working conditions like welding and heat applications but absorb oil and lubricants, thereby reducing their lifespan.
These issues highlighted a significant safety gap and prompted the introduction of safety gloves for industrial use. Materials in safety gloves have evolved. Synthetic materials such as PVC, Latex, Nitrile, and Neoprene offered new hope. Among these, nitrile-coated gloves emerged as a significant advancement.
What is the Difference Between Nitrile Gloves and Nitrile Coated Gloves
· Nitrile Gloves
Disposable nitrile gloves are typically made entirely of nitrile rubber. Disposable nitrile gloves are designed for single use and are ideal for medical examinations, pharmacies, and mild chemical handling, as the thin nitrile layer offers excellent hand sensitivity, tactility and grip while preventing cross-contamination.
· Nitrile Coated Gloves
Nitrile coated gloves are specialised safety gloves designed for crucial industrial operations. The inner liner is made of yarns such as cotton, polyester, or HPPE, and then dipped in a nitrile polymer to form a coating over the base liner. This makes the glove suitable for cut, abrasion, tear and puncture resistance in oily and wet conditions, resistance to diluted chemicals, grip for crucial tasks, and breathability.
What Makes Nitrile Coated Gloves Stand Out
1. Coated Nitrile Gloves Work Well in Oily and Wet Conditions
Due to its chemical composition, this polymer is highly effective in oily, lubricated, and wet working conditions. Premium-quality, certified nitrile coated gloves also offer excellent dexterity and precision handling in such situations.
2. Nitrile Work Gloves Have a Dependable Strength
Nitrile coated gloves have excellent structural integrity, making them strong and durable. These safety gloves protect against mechanical hazards, including abrasions, cuts, punctures, and tears.
3. They Offer Excellent Elasticity and Hand Performance
Accurate fitting of safety gloves on the hand is crucial when working in hazardous conditions. A loose fit may allow easy permeation of chemicals, oils, and lubricants, while a tight fit may cause discomfort and reduced hand movement. Coated nitrile gloves offer greater hand dexterity and less stiffness, which helps improve hand performance.
4. Nitrile Gloves Have Superior Chemical Resistance
Industrial nitrile gloves (dipped) offer good resistance to diluted chemicals and hydrocarbons. According to applicable standards for chemical-resistant hand protection, certified nitrile work gloves meet the required test standards.
6. These Safety Gloves Have Good Value for Money
Unlike traditional gloves, nitrile coated gloves last longer even when exposed to harsh conditions. Their mid-to-higher price range reflects their long-term durability compared to cheaper gloves that need to be replaced regularly.
7. Nitrile Safety Gloves Have Relatively Longer Shelf Life than Traditional Gloves
If properly cared for and maintained, nitrile safety gloves have a longer shelf life. The nitrile coating on the liners helps reduce lint and increase glove strength.
Nitrile Work Gloves and Their Multiple Application Areas
· Heavy Duty Nitrile Gloves (Coated)
A nitrile coating over engineered liner makes a strong safety glove that works effectively in oily and greasy areas, with excellent abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance. These heavy-duty nitrile-coated gloves are suitable for component assembly, handling oily parts, fabrication, and handling oil drums, etc.
· Disposable Nitrile Coated Gloves
Disposable nitrile coated gloves are suitable for single use and are popular in medical, food-handling & processing, cleaning, and laboratories where hygiene is a prime concern. Their one-time use often helps reduce cross-contamination.
· Nitrile Coated Gloves Support Protection from Mechanical Hazards
Contrary to myths, nitrile coated gloves do protect against mechanical hazards. The coating of this polymer over the required liner increases glove strength, adds another layer of protection, and helps efficient working in oily and greasy work conditions.
· Chemical Resistant Gloves in Nitrile Coating
Coated nitrile gloves are widely used in chemical handling applications where hands are exposed to diluted chemicals. Wearing generic gloves easily meets chemicals and puts you at risk of chemical burns and blisters; a coated nitrile glove helps protect hands from chemical penetration or permeation, depending on its performance tests.
KARAM Safety: Manufacturer of Safety Gloves and Other Industrial Safety Equipment
The challenge is not always getting workers to wear safety gloves but also ensuring they get the right safety glove according to their job. Continuous research and development in hand protection has made it possible to handle critical hazards in the workplace more efficiently. Organisations such as KARAM Safety work continuously in such innovative directions. With its vast range of certified safety gloves, KARAM Safety has so far helped protect many hands from unwanted injuries.
In its continuous efforts to establish a safety culture in India and raise awareness of safety at work, KARAM Safety has reached another milestone with Karam Online, a self-sustained e-commerce portal of KARAM Safety Pvt Ltd, where you can get certified and authenticated safety equipment such as safety gloves, helmets, safety goggles, fall protection equipment, etc., online.
Bottom Line
Hand injuries are among the most common yet most preventable workplace incidents. It is important to understand occupational hazards and recommend the right safety gloves to your workforce. It is also important to opt for certified safety gloves tested in accordance with the applicable standards for the intended country or region of use, as this builds trust among the workforce and prevents unwanted accidents that lead to emotional trauma and hamper productive days at work.
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