Work Glove Types: A Complete Guide to Industrial Hand Protection

Walk into any industrial supplier and you'll find a wall of work gloves. Leather. Nitrile. Cut-resistant. Chemical. Anti-vibration. Welding. Disposable. The problem isn't that there aren't enough options — it's that most people grab whatever looks sturdy and get on with the job.

That approach works until it doesn't. The wrong glove in the wrong application doesn't just fail to protect — it can actively create risk. A glove rated for cut resistance may give you false confidence when handling solvents. Leather gloves around rotating machinery can catch and pull your hand into a nip point. An electrician's outer leather protector worn without the correct insulating inner glove provides no electrical protection at all.

This guide covers every major type of industrial work glove used in Australian trade and manufacturing environments: what each type is built for, how to read the standards ratings, where each type belongs, and where it doesn't. If you've ever grabbed a pair of gloves because they "looked about right," this guide will give you a proper framework for choosing the right protection for the work in front of you.

For a quick overview, our Quick Guide to Industrial Gloves covers the essentials. This article goes considerably deeper.

How to Read EN 388 Work Glove Ratings

The EN 388 standard is the European mechanical protection standard for occupational protective gloves, and it's the rating system you'll see on nearly every pair of work gloves sold in Australia. Understanding what the numbers mean is the foundation for everything that follows.

EN 388 tests gloves against four mechanical hazards, each rated on a scale:

• Abrasion resistance — rated 1 to 4. How many cycles of abrasion before the glove wears through. A rating of 4 means 8,000+ cycles; rating of 1 means fewer than 100 cycles.
• Blade cut resistance — rated 1 to 5 (old test, Coup test). How many passes of a rotating blade before cutting through. Higher is better.
• Tear resistance — rated 1 to 4. Force required to tear the glove material. Rating 4 requires more than 75N.
• Puncture resistance — rated 1 to 4. Force required to push a standardised point through the glove. Rating 4 requires more than 150N.

So a glove marked EN 388 3142 gives you: abrasion 3, blade cut 1, tear 4, puncture 2.

The 2016 update added a fifth character. EN 388:2016 introduced an additional cut resistance test — the ISO 13997 (TDM) test — which is more accurate than the older Coup test for high-cut-resistant materials. This fifth character appears as a letter: A through F. An F rating requires more than 30N of cut force. A typical cut-resistant assembly glove with HPPE knit might be rated EN 388 4543F — excellent across all five parameters.

If a glove shows only four characters, it was tested to the older standard. If it shows five characters, the fifth is the TDM cut rating.

The Australian and New Zealand standard: Australia and New Zealand use AS/NZS 2161, a series of standards for occupational protective gloves. AS/NZS 2161.3 covers mechanical risks and is aligned with EN 388. In practice, gloves sold in Australia typically carry EN 388 markings — the AS/NZS standard is broadly equivalent and products meeting EN 388 are generally accepted under Australian WHS requirements. Always confirm specific workplace requirements with your WHS officer, particularly in regulated industries.

Important: EN 388 only covers mechanical hazards. A high EN 388 rating tells you nothing about chemical resistance, heat resistance, electrical protection, or vibration attenuation. Each of those has its own separate standard. A glove can be excellent at cut resistance and give zero protection against a solvent — the numbers don't cross over.

What EN 388 doesn't cover:

• Chemical permeation or degradation (see EN 374 / AS/NZS 2161.10)
• Heat or flame protection (see EN 407 / AS/NZS 2161.4)
• Electrical protection (see EN 60903 / AS/NZS 2225)
• Vibration attenuation (see ISO 10819 / EN ISO 10819)
• Cold protection (see EN 511 / AS/NZS 2161.10)

Keep this distinction in mind throughout this guide. Every glove type discussed below is rated under a different standard or combination of standards.

Leather and Rigger Gloves

In Australian trade language, "rigger gloves" means one specific thing: a leather work glove with a gauntlet-style cuff that extends over the wrist and lower forearm. The term comes from the rigging industry, but rigger gloves are now the standard general-purpose work glove across construction, maintenance, landscaping, warehousing, fencing, and any task that involves rough materials, sharp edges, abrasive surfaces, or prolonged handling of heavy objects.

The key material in quality rigger gloves is split leather — typically from the inner layer of cowhide or pig leather. Split leather is tougher and more abrasion-resistant than grain leather (the outer skin surface), which makes it the right choice for heavy-duty wear. Higher-end rigger gloves use full grain leather on the palm for improved dexterity and feel, with split leather reinforcements at high-wear points.

What rigger gloves are good for:

• General handling — timber, steel, pipe, conduit, concrete block, brickwork
• Rough landscaping — wire, fencing, post driving, chainsaw operation preparation
• Roofing, formwork, and structural steel work
• Manual materials handling where grip and abrasion protection matter more than dexterity
• Welding preparation work (not the weld itself — see welding gloves)
• General maintenance across industrial, construction, and farming environments

What rigger gloves are not good for:

• Chemical handling of any kind — leather absorbs solvents, oils, and corrosive liquids, and once contaminated, the glove becomes a chemical reservoir against the skin
• Precision assembly or fine tool work — the bulk of a rigger glove reduces tactile feedback significantly
• Work near rotating machinery — see the critical note on gloves and machinery below
• Electrical work — leather provides no electrical insulation

Sizing and fit matters more than most people think. A rigger glove that's too large bunches at the fingers and reduces grip security. Too small and the leather restricts hand movement and fatigues the hand quickly. Try the glove on — fingers should reach the end of each finger section without excess material, and the palm should fit snugly without feeling tight at the knuckles.

Chrome-free leather: Standard leather tanning uses chromium salts. Some workers develop contact dermatitis from chromium in leather — if you see persistent skin irritation from leather gloves, look for chrome-free or chrome VI-free leather alternatives. Glove choice is one of the dermatitis levers — the rest of the workflow (barrier cream before work, gentle hand cleaner after, moisturiser end-of-shift) is covered in the Industrial Hand Cleaner Guide. Several manufacturers now offer these as standard in their premium rigger glove lines.

Reinforcement patterns: Look at the palm and thumb of any rigger glove before you buy. High-quality gloves have additional leather or reinforcement stitching at the thumb saddle (the web between thumb and forefinger), the palm strike zone, and the fingertip contacts. These are the points that wear through first. A glove with reinforcement at those points will outlast a plain-cut glove significantly, even if the plain glove looks similar at purchase.

Typical EN 388 for rigger gloves: A quality split leather rigger glove typically rates around EN 388 3142 to 4143. Abrasion resistance is the strong suit of leather. Blade cut resistance is moderate. Leather is not a cut-resistant material — do not use a rigger glove where cut resistance is the primary hazard.

Cut-Resistant Gloves

Cut-resistant gloves are the most technically varied category in industrial hand protection. The protection level, the underlying material, the coating, and the application range differ significantly between products — and the difference between a cut-resistant glove rated A2 and one rated F is the difference between moderate protection and near-immunity to blade cut.

Cut Resistance Levels Under EN 388:2016

Under the current EN 388:2016 standard (TDM cut test, ISO 13997), cut resistance is rated A through F:

Level	Cut Force Required	Typical Applications
A	>2N	Light assembly, packaging, general handling
B	>5N	Sheet metal handling, glass handling (light)
C	>10N	Stamping, press work, light blade operations
D	>15N	Heavy sheet metal, automotive fabrication
E	>22N	Glass, sharp metal, heavy fabrication
F	>30N	Abattoir, glass cutting, high-risk blade work

For general warehouse and manufacturing work — handling components, boxes, sheet goods — an A2 to B rating (old standard equivalent: level 2) is usually sufficient. For sheet metal fabrication, glass handling, or any environment with regular sharp edge exposure, you're looking at D to F.

Cut-Resistant Materials

The cut resistance of a glove comes from the fibre used in the knit liner. The main cut-resistant materials you'll encounter:

HPPE (High-Performance Polyethylene): The most common material in modern cut-resistant gloves. HPPE fibres (sold under brand names including Dyneema and Spectra) have a very high strength-to-weight ratio and resist blade cut well at lighter weights than older materials. Most HPPE gloves are lightweight and comfortable enough for full-day wear. A typical HPPE knit glove in medium weight rates around EN 388 4542C to 4543D. Dyneema Diamond Technology gloves can reach F.

Kevlar: The original high-cut-resistant fibre in work gloves, Kevlar (para-aramid) has excellent cut and heat resistance. Kevlar gloves are bulkier than HPPE equivalents and can be uncomfortable in hot conditions. Still widely used in welding and foundry applications where both cut and heat resistance are needed. Kevlar rates around level C to E depending on weight.

Steel Fibre: Stainless steel yarn woven into the glove knit. Extremely high cut resistance (typically E to F), and steel fibre is essentially impenetrable to blade cut at normal working forces. Used in abattoir and butchery work, glass cutting, and any environment with extreme blade risk. Heavier than HPPE. Can be uncomfortable for extended wear. Steel fibre gloves must not be used near high-frequency or high-power electrical sources — the conductivity can create an additional hazard.

Blended composites: Many current high-performance cut-resistant gloves blend HPPE with glass fibre, steel fibre, or Lycra to optimise different properties. A common combination is HPPE + glass fibre for cut resistance, with Lycra for stretch and fit. These composites can achieve F ratings at lighter glove weights than pure steel fibre.

Coatings on Cut-Resistant Gloves

Most cut-resistant gloves have a coating applied over the knit liner to improve grip, durability, and in some cases chemical resistance. The coating does not add significant cut resistance — that comes from the liner. Common coatings:

Nitrile foam coating: The most versatile coating for cut-resistant gloves. Provides excellent grip in dry and lightly wet conditions, good oil resistance, and is comfortable for extended wear. The foam texture enhances grip on oily or wet surfaces. Suitable for engineering, warehousing, assembly, and general fabrication.

PU (polyurethane) coating: Thinner and more precise than nitrile. Good for precision assembly work where tactile feedback matters — electronics assembly, small component handling, quality inspection. Less robust than nitrile in heavy wear applications.

Sandy nitrile: A roughened nitrile surface for enhanced grip on dry, dusty, or rough surfaces. Better for handling rough materials, sheet metal, or structural steel. The texture bites on surfaces where smooth coatings would slip.

Latex coating: Good grip in wet conditions. Some workers have latex allergies — check before specifying for a team. Being progressively replaced by nitrile coatings for this reason.

Uncoated (cut-resistant liner only): Some cut-resistant gloves are uncoated knit — suitable for fine assembly where any coating would reduce dexterity too much. Grip is reduced and durability is lower than coated versions. Best for indoor, dry, precision work.

Cut-Resistant Gloves vs. Cut-Proof

No glove is cut-proof. Every cut-resistant glove is rated to resist a specific level of blade cut force. An F-rated glove will still be cut through by a blade under sufficient force or with a sawing motion. The ratings are measured under standardised test conditions, not worst-case industrial scenarios. Cut-resistant gloves reduce the risk of laceration — they do not eliminate it. The appropriate level of cut resistance for a given task is determined by the blade sharpness, the force applied, the frequency of contact, and the severity of a potential injury. If in doubt, go higher in the cut resistance rating.

Nitrile-Coated and Assembly Gloves

Nitrile-coated assembly gloves are the most widely used general-purpose gloves in light manufacturing, warehousing, assembly, and electronics work. They provide a useful combination of grip, dexterity, and light protection without the bulk of leather or heavier work gloves.

The base structure is a knit liner — typically nylon, polyester, or a blend — coated on the palm and fingers with nitrile rubber. The nitrile coating grips dry and lightly oily surfaces, resists minor abrasion, and provides enough protection against light cuts and surface contact to reduce hand fatigue and minor injury. The knit construction means they are significantly lighter and more dexterous than leather or heavy cut-resistant gloves.

Foam nitrile vs. smooth nitrile: Foam nitrile coating has a cellular, slightly textured surface that channels oil and moisture away from the contact surface, maintaining grip on lightly wet or oily parts. Smooth nitrile is better in clean, dry conditions and provides a slightly higher grip on smooth surfaces. For most general-purpose assembly and warehousing, foam nitrile is the better choice.

Fully coated vs. palm-coated: Palm-coated gloves coat the palm and fingers only, leaving the back of the hand in knit. This maximises breathability but provides no protection on the back of the hand. Fully coated gloves coat the entire glove surface — suitable for wet environments or applications where the back of the hand needs protection from splashes or abrasion.

Where nitrile assembly gloves belong:

• Warehousing, picking, packing, and despatch
• Light manufacturing and assembly
• Component handling and inspection
• Electronics assembly (check ESD requirements — some applications require ESD-safe coatings)
• General maintenance tasks not involving significant chemical, cut, or heat hazards
• Automotive parts handling and light mechanical work

Where nitrile assembly gloves are not appropriate:

• Chemical handling — nitrile coatings on knit gloves are porous at the knit base and not rated for chemical protection. These are NOT chemical-resistant gloves despite being made of nitrile. See chemical-resistant gloves below.
• Cut-risk environments — standard nitrile assembly gloves typically carry an EN 388 rating around 2121 to 3131, which is light to moderate. For cut-risk work, use a glove with a cut-resistant liner.
• Heat and welding — no thermal protection.
• Wet submersion — the knit liner wicks moisture through. Not suitable for prolonged wet work.

Grip coating variants for specific applications: Beyond standard nitrile foam, several coatings are worth knowing about for specific applications:

• HCT (Hi-Contrast Technology) coatings: Some manufacturers apply high-visibility or brightly coloured coatings to make contamination visible — useful in food-adjacent manufacturing where glove debris in product is a concern, though food-specific work requires gloves rated to food contact standards.
• Micro-foam nitrile: An extremely fine cellular foam structure that provides oil grip while maintaining high tactile sensitivity — used in precision assembly and quality inspection.
• Crinkle latex: An older coating technology with a more aggressive surface texture. Good grip on rough surfaces. Being displaced by nitrile in most applications due to latex allergy concerns.

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Chemical-resistant gloves are a distinct category from nitrile-coated assembly gloves, even though both may be made partly or wholly of nitrile rubber. The critical distinction is construction: chemical-resistant gloves are made from homogeneous (solid) rubber or polymer material with no knit substrate beneath. This makes them impermeable to liquids — where a coated knit glove is not.

No single glove material resists all chemicals. Choosing the right chemical-resistant glove requires matching the glove material to the specific chemical, its concentration, the temperature, and the duration of contact. Using the wrong material can result in rapid permeation — the chemical passes through the glove wall to the skin, often with no visible sign of glove failure until exposure has already occurred.

The EN 374 Standard

Chemical-resistant gloves are rated under EN 374 (and the equivalent AS/NZS 2161.10 for chemical protection). EN 374 tests measure:

• Penetration: Whether the chemical passes through the glove at any visible physical level (holes, pinholes, seams). EN 374-2 tests this by air pressure and water leak tests. A "waterproof" glove rating confirms no penetration.
• Permeation: The time for a chemical to pass through the homogeneous glove material at the molecular level, with no visible breach. EN 374-3 rates this in breakthrough time: Class 1 (>10 min), Class 2 (>30 min), Class 3 (>60 min), Class 4 (>120 min), Class 5 (>240 min), Class 6 (>480 min). For most work applications, Class 3 or above is the minimum for regular chemical contact.
• Degradation: Whether the glove material deteriorates (swells, softens, cracks) on contact with the chemical. A degraded glove may still appear intact while providing significantly reduced barrier performance.

EN 374 gloves are tested against a set of 18 reference chemicals. The chemical code letters on the glove packaging (e.g., A, B, C, D...) tell you which of those reference chemicals the glove was tested against and passed at the required permeation level. This is not a comprehensive chemical compatibility guide — it tells you the glove was tested against those specific chemicals and passed at that level.

Chemical-Resistant Glove Materials

Nitrile rubber (solid): The most versatile chemical-resistant glove material for general industrial use. Good resistance to oils, fuels, greases, most solvents, and many acids and alkalis. Poor resistance to ketones (acetone, MEK), esters, and some chlorinated solvents. Available in a wide range of thicknesses. Thicker nitrile gloves provide longer breakthrough times against aggressive chemicals. Standard thickness (0.1–0.2mm) disposable nitrile provides splash protection; heavy nitrile (0.4mm+) provides sustained contact protection against many chemicals.

Latex (natural rubber): Excellent against water-based chemicals, dilute acids and alkalis, alcohols, and ketones. Poor resistance to oils, fuels, and many organic solvents. The traditional choice for laboratory and medical work. Allergy risk with some workers — confirm no latex allergy before specifying for team use. Being increasingly replaced by nitrile in chemical-risk applications for this reason.

Neoprene: Good broad-spectrum chemical resistance, better than nitrile or latex against many solvents. Resists oils, acids, alkalis, and many organic solvents. Better heat resistance than nitrile or latex. The general-purpose choice for wide chemical exposure where the specific chemical is variable. Heavier and less flexible than nitrile.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride): Good resistance to water-based chemicals, acids, and alkalis. Poor against organic solvents. Inexpensive and widely used for general chemical handling, cleaning agents, and bleach. Stiff and less dexterous than rubber materials. Not suitable for solvent work.

Butyl rubber: Excellent resistance to ketones, esters, and many aggressive organic compounds where nitrile fails. The correct material for acetone, MEK, and similar ketone solvents. Higher cost and less widely available than nitrile or neoprene. Used in specialised chemical processing, paint, and coating applications.

Viton (fluoroelastomer): The highest-performance chemical-resistant glove material. Resists extremely aggressive chemicals including concentrated acids, aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene, xylene), and chlorinated solvents. Used in chemical manufacturing, petrochemical work, and applications involving highly hazardous materials. Significantly more expensive than other materials.

Laminate (Silver Shield / 4H): Multi-layer laminate gloves with extremely broad chemical resistance across a very wide range of chemicals. Used for brief handling of small quantities of unknown or highly toxic chemicals where a long permeation breakthrough time across many substance classes is required. Less dexterous than rubber gloves. Used in laboratory and research settings for handling potent compounds.

Practical Chemical Glove Selection

For most trade and industrial environments, the selection logic is:

• Oils, fuels, greases, general industrial lubricants: Nitrile (solid, medium weight)
• Dilute acids and alkalis, cleaning chemicals, bleach: PVC or neoprene
• Concentrated acids: Neoprene or butyl
• Ketone solvents (acetone, MEK): Butyl rubber
• Aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene, benzene): Viton
• Chlorinated solvents (methylene chloride, TCE): Viton or laminate
• Unknown or mixed chemical exposure: Neoprene for general coverage, or use glove manufacturer's chemical resistance guide for the specific chemical

Always check the manufacturer's chemical resistance guide for the specific chemical, concentration, and expected contact duration before selecting. Chemical resistance is not simple to generalise — small changes in concentration or the addition of a co-solvent can dramatically change permeation breakthrough time.

Glove length matters for chemical work. Standard examination-length gloves (230–280mm) protect the hand and lower wrist. For overhead chemical work, chemical immersion, or exposure risk above the wrist, use elbow-length (380–400mm) or shoulder-length gloves. The length selection should match the exposure scenario, not just convenience.

Inner cotton liners: Wearing a thin cotton inner liner under a chemical-resistant glove significantly reduces hand fatigue and moisture build-up during extended chemical work. The liner also provides an additional protective layer in the event of glove failure and makes the outer glove easier to don and doff.

Welding and Heat-Resistant Gloves

Welding gloves protect against the specific combination of hazards present in welding operations: radiant heat, spatter (molten metal particles), UV radiation, and contact burns from hot workpieces. They are not general-purpose heat-resistant gloves — their design is optimised for welding postures and exposures.

Welding Glove Types

MIG welding gloves: Heavy split leather construction, usually with a thick cotton or wool terry lining. Long gauntlet cuff — typically 100–125mm extension beyond the wrist. Designed for the high spatter levels common in MIG/MAG welding. The thick insulation protects against the radiant heat from the arc and from spatter. MIG gloves sacrifice dexterity for protection — the bulk is intentional. Not suitable for TIG welding, where precise torch and filler wire control requires significantly better tactile feedback.

TIG welding gloves: Finer grain leather (often goatskin or deerskin), thinner construction, and an unlined or thin-lined palm. TIG generates less spatter than MIG but requires precise hand positioning — the gloves need to allow the welder to feel the torch and guide filler wire accurately. TIG gloves provide adequate heat protection for TIG work but would be quickly damaged by MIG spatter levels. The distinction matters: using MIG gloves for TIG welding makes the job harder; using TIG gloves for MIG is a burn risk.

Stick (MMAW) welding gloves: Similar to MIG gloves in construction — heavy split leather, long cuff, insulated. Stick welding generates significant spatter and radiant heat. Heavy protection is appropriate. Some welders use their MIG gloves for stick work interchangeably.

Oxy-acetylene gloves: Long gauntlet for wrist and forearm protection. Moderate weight — oxy work generates less spatter than MIG/stick but involves proximity to an open flame and hot metal. The long cuff protects from reaching over hot material.

The EN 407 Standard for Thermal Gloves

Thermal protection for welding and heat work is rated under EN 407. The standard covers six parameters, each rated 0–4:

• Burning behaviour (flammability)
• Contact heat resistance (temperature threshold before heat passes through)
• Convective heat resistance
• Radiant heat resistance
• Small splashes of molten metal
• Large splashes of molten metal

For MIG welding gloves, look for EN 407 ratings of at least 3 on radiant heat and splashes of molten metal. The full six-character code gives you a detailed breakdown of performance.

The Australian standard for welding gloves is AS/NZS 2161.4. Gloves meeting EN 407 generally meet the requirements of AS/NZS 2161.4 — confirm with the supplier for compliance in regulated welding applications.

Beyond Welding: Heat-Resistant Gloves for Other Applications

Welding gloves are one application of heat-resistant hand protection. Other applications have different requirements:

Foundry and casting: Extremely high radiant heat exposure, possible molten metal splash. Aluminised gloves with aluminised fibre or glass-fibre backing reflect radiant heat — these are the standard for foundry and casting ladle work. Heavy leather or Kevlar-reinforced leather is used for contact with hot castings.

Oven and furnace work: Insulated gloves rated for sustained contact with hot surfaces rather than spatter. Look for EN 407 contact heat rating of 3 or 4 and a temperature threshold appropriate to the maximum expected contact temperature.

Glass handling (hot): Combination of cut resistance and heat resistance. Gloves with Kevlar liner (heat and cut) plus aluminised surface are used in hot glass handling.

Food processing and commercial kitchen: Heat-resistant gloves for oven work must meet food safety standards in addition to EN 407. Standard industrial heat gloves are not food-safe unless specifically certified. This is outside the scope of industrial safety gloves.

Leather Work Gloves as Welding Gloves

A question that comes up frequently: can I use a leather rigger glove for welding? The short answer is no, and the reason is important. Standard leather rigger gloves are not rated for welding because they typically lack the thick insulated lining, the long cuff, and the EN 407 certification for radiant heat and molten metal spatter. A rigger glove will protect against the first few sparks but can transmit heat quickly and may ignite under sustained exposure to MIG or stick arc spatter. Use gloves that are rated and certified for the welding process you are performing.

Electrical Insulating Gloves

Electrical insulating gloves for work on or near live conductors are an entirely separate category from general work gloves. No leather, no nitrile coating, no cut-resistant liner provides electrical insulation. Electrical protection requires purpose-designed insulating rubber gloves tested and certified under specific electrical safety standards.

The Two-Layer System

The standard system for live electrical work in Australia uses two glove layers:

Inner: electrical insulating gloves — homogeneous natural rubber or synthetic rubber gloves, classified by voltage class. These are the electrical protective element. They are tested to specific dielectric test voltages and rated for maximum working voltage.

Outer: leather protector gloves — worn over the insulating glove to protect it from mechanical damage. The rubber insulating glove itself is relatively thin and vulnerable to puncture, abrasion, and tearing. The leather protector prevents mechanical damage that would compromise the insulation. The leather protector provides no electrical protection — it is purely mechanical protection for the insulating glove.

Both layers are worn together. The insulating glove alone is considered inadequate for most live work applications because of the mechanical vulnerability of the rubber. The leather protector alone provides no electrical protection whatsoever.

Voltage Classes

Electrical insulating gloves are classified under AS/NZS 2225 (equivalent to IEC 60903 / EN 60903) by voltage class:

Class	Max AC Working Voltage	Max DC Working Voltage	Test Voltage
00	500V AC	750V DC	2,500V
0	1,000V AC	1,500V DC	5,000V
1	7,500V AC	11,250V DC	10,000V
2	17,000V AC	25,500V DC	20,000V
3	26,500V AC	39,750V DC	30,000V
4	36,000V AC	54,000V DC	40,000V

For general trade electrical work on standard Australian 230/400V supply systems, Class 0 (rated to 1,000V AC) is the minimum requirement. For licensed electricians working on LV switchgear, Class 0 is standard. High voltage (HV) work above 1,000V requires Class 1 or higher.

Note on VDE insulated pliers: VDE-rated hand tools with 1,000V-rated insulated handles are a separate category and complement electrical insulating gloves — they do not replace them. VDE tool insulation protects the hand at the tool contact points; electrical insulating gloves protect the hands and wrists for broader contact protection. Both should be used for live work.

Electrical Insulating Glove Inspection and Testing

Electrical insulating gloves must be regularly inspected and periodically retested to maintain their rating. This is not optional — it is a safety-critical maintenance requirement.

Pre-use inspection: Before every use, electrical insulating gloves must be inspected for damage. Roll the glove from the open end to trap air inside and check for leaks (pinholes, cracks, tears). Check the cuff for cuts or punctures. Inspect the finger ends and palm for abrasion wear. Any damage — including small pinholes — disqualifies the glove from use. A damaged insulating glove must be removed from service immediately.

Periodic electrical testing: Electrical insulating gloves must be re-tested (dielectrically tested) at intervals defined in the relevant standard and by workplace WHS requirements. The typical requirement under Australian electrical safety legislation is testing at least every 6 months. Gloves are tested to a voltage higher than their working class rating and inspected for breakdown. Gloves that have not been tested within the required period must not be used for live work, regardless of their visible condition.

Storage: Electrical insulating gloves must be stored away from UV light, ozone sources (electrical motors, transformers), and heat. Rubber degrades under UV and ozone exposure even without use. Store in the provided bag or box, away from tools and equipment. Do not fold or compress the gloves during storage.

Who Needs Electrical Insulating Gloves

Electrical insulating gloves are required for any licensed electrician or authorised person performing work on or near exposed live conductors. In Australian workplaces, the applicable electrical safety legislation (varied by state, but broadly consistent under Model WHS Regulations and the Electrical Safety Act) requires that work on live electrical equipment be performed with appropriate PPE, of which insulating gloves are a central component.

General tradespeople not performing licensed electrical work typically do not need electrical insulating gloves — but they should not work near exposed live conductors at all. The live work hazard is managed by isolation, not gloves, for unlicensed workers.

Anti-Vibration Gloves

Anti-vibration gloves (also called vibration-dampening gloves or AV gloves) are designed to reduce the transmission of vibration from power tools — particularly hand-held grinding, chiselling, and jackhammer operations — to the hands and arms. The purpose is to reduce cumulative exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV), which causes hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) — a progressive and largely irreversible occupational disease.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

HAVS has two primary components: vascular (Raynaud's phenomenon, also called vibration white finger) and neurological/musculoskeletal. Symptoms progress from occasional finger blanching and tingling in cold conditions to permanent numbness, pain, and loss of fine motor control in the hands and fingers. Once established, HAVS does not reverse significantly. Prevention is the only effective management strategy.

Australian WHS regulations require employers to manage the risk of HAVS exposure. Anti-vibration gloves are one control measure in a hierarchy that should also include tool selection (low-vibration tools), job rotation, limiting tool use time per shift, and health surveillance for workers with significant HAV exposure.

The ISO 10819 Standard

Anti-vibration gloves are rated under ISO 10819 (EN ISO 10819 in Europe). The standard tests gloves against two vibration frequency ranges: medium frequency (31.5–200Hz) and high frequency (200–1250Hz). The glove must demonstrate a transmission ratio (TR) below 1.0 at medium frequency and below 0.6 at high frequency to be certified as an anti-vibration glove under this standard.

Critical limitation: ISO 10819 only tests gloves at frequencies above 31.5Hz. The most harmful vibration frequencies for HAVS are in the range below 31.5Hz — particularly for whole-body vibration and for tools like jackhammers and demolition hammers that produce significant low-frequency content. Anti-vibration gloves certified to ISO 10819 may provide limited or no protection at these lower frequencies. The standard is useful but does not guarantee protection across all HAV exposures. Anti-vibration gloves are one control measure, not a complete solution.

Anti-Vibration Glove Construction

AV gloves incorporate vibration-dampening material in the palm — typically a gel pad, foam pad, or air bladder system. The dampening material absorbs and dissipates vibration energy before it reaches the hand tissue. The construction must balance vibration attenuation with grip, dexterity, and the ability to operate tool triggers and controls safely.

Gel-padded palms: The most common AV glove construction. A dense gel pad covers the palm strike zone and thenar area. Provides useful attenuation in the medium to high frequency range. The gel pad adds bulk to the palm but relatively little to the fingers, preserving some dexterity. Suitable for angle grinders, impact tools, and rotary tools.

Full-palm air bladder: Some AV gloves use an inflatable air cell system that adjusts to the hand contour. Provides good vibration isolation across a wider frequency range. More comfortable for extended wear. Higher cost.

Grip and dexterity trade-off: All AV gloves compromise grip and dexterity to some degree relative to unpadded gloves. The dampening material between the hand and the tool surface reduces tactile feedback. This is manageable for most tool operation but should be factored into tool selection and grip force assessments — compensating for reduced grip feedback by gripping harder actually increases vibration exposure. Use anti-vibration gloves with the minimum grip force needed to safely operate the tool.

When Anti-Vibration Gloves Are Appropriate

Anti-vibration gloves are appropriate for workers with regular, sustained use of high-vibration tools: angle grinders, impact wrenches, demolition hammers, needle scalers, chippers, and similar tools. Workers who spend several hours per shift operating these tools are the primary target group.

Anti-vibration gloves are not a substitute for managing tool vibration at source. Tools with lower vibration emission values (check the manufacturer's declared vibration data) and job rotation to distribute HAV exposure across the team are more effective controls. Anti-vibration gloves are a supplementary measure, not a primary control.

Cold and Thermal Gloves

Cold-protection gloves protect against the thermal hazard of cold environments: ambient cold in outdoor work during winter, contact cold from cold surfaces, and extreme cold in refrigerated or frozen storage environments. The appropriate glove depends on whether the cold exposure is from ambient air temperature, contact with cold surfaces, or both.

For a detailed guide to thermal work gloves including insulation options and cold ratings, see our article on thermal gloves for cold work.

EN 511 Cold Protection Ratings

Cold-protection gloves are rated under EN 511, which tests three parameters:

• Convective cold resistance (a): Resistance to cold air. Rated 0–4, where 4 is highest protection. A rating of 2 or above is appropriate for outdoor work in temperatures around 0°C. Rating of 4 is appropriate for sustained outdoor exposure below -20°C.
• Contact cold resistance (b): Resistance to cold through contact with a cold surface. Rated 0–4. Important for workers handling frozen goods, cold metal components, or working on cold equipment. Different from convective cold — a glove that insulates against cold air may still transmit cold quickly when gripping a cold steel surface.
• Water permeation resistance (c): 0 = water penetrates within 30 minutes; 1 = water does not penetrate within 30 minutes. Relevant for working in wet cold conditions — rain, sleet, wet cold surfaces.

Cold Glove Construction

Insulated knit gloves: A knit outer shell (acrylic, wool blend, or fleece) with a thinsulate or synthetic fill insulation. Good for ambient cold in outdoor winter work. Light to moderate weight. Available with a nitrile palm coating for grip. Suitable for temperatures above approximately -10°C for moderate activity levels.

Waterproof membrane gloves: An insulated glove with a waterproof-breathable membrane (Gore-Tex or equivalent). The membrane blocks water ingress while allowing some moisture vapour transmission. Essential for cold wet conditions — outdoor work in rain, sleet, or wet cold environments. Insulation loses most of its effectiveness when wet; a waterproof membrane prevents this.

Contact-cold rated gloves: For work handling frozen goods, cold metal, or cold surfaces, a contact-cold rated (EN 511 b ≥ 2) glove is required. These often have a thicker insulating layer on the palm in addition to overall insulation. Used in cold storage, frozen food distribution, and refrigerated transport.

Extreme cold / cryogenic: For work with cryogenic materials (liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, dry ice), purpose-designed cryogenic gloves are required. These must provide protection against extreme contact cold and must allow rapid doffing in case of cryogenic liquid splash — cryogenic materials can flash-freeze tissue extremely rapidly. Standard cold gloves are not rated for cryogenic exposure.

Dexterity vs. Insulation Trade-Off

Cold protection and dexterity are in direct tension — more insulation means more bulk and less tactile feedback. The appropriate level of insulation depends on the ambient temperature, work activity level (high activity generates more body heat including hand warmth), and task requirements. A worker doing active manual labour in -5°C may be adequately served by a mid-weight insulated glove with a grip coating. A worker standing still in cold outdoor conditions at the same temperature needs significantly more insulation.

For tasks requiring fine dexterity in cold conditions — inspection work, instrumentation, precision assembly — heated gloves (battery-powered heating elements in the glove) are worth considering. These allow minimal insulation bulk while maintaining comfortable hand temperature.

Mechanic and Impact Protection Gloves

Mechanic gloves — also called impact gloves or utility work gloves — are designed for automotive, mechanical, and maintenance work. They combine moderate cut and abrasion resistance with impact protection on the back of the hand and knuckles, and maintain enough dexterity for tool operation, fastener handling, and parts manipulation.

What Makes a Mechanic Glove

The key features that distinguish a mechanic glove from a general assembly glove:

Dorsal impact protection: The back of the hand and knuckle area on a mechanic glove has moulded rubberised impact guards or TPR (thermoplastic rubber) panels. These absorb and distribute impact force from accidental contact with hard surfaces — knuckle strikes on engine components, impacts from dropped tools, contact with tight spaces during mechanical work. This is the defining feature of the mechanic glove category.

Grip coating: Typically synthetic leather or a combination of synthetic leather and nitrile on the palm. Provides grip on tools and components, resistance to light oil and grease, and durability under repeated tool use.

Wrist closure: Usually a hook-and-loop (Velcro) wrist strap to secure the glove and prevent it from shifting during tool use. A shifting glove under a socket wrench or during tight component work is a grip security problem.

Finger dexterity: Mechanic gloves are cut to allow significant finger movement, including gloved trigger-pull on power tools and index finger placement for fine positioning. Shorter cuff than rigger gloves.

Applications for Mechanic Gloves

• Automotive mechanical work — engine work, brake work, suspension, transmission
• Plant maintenance — machinery servicing, pump work, hydraulic systems
• Mining and resources maintenance — equipment servicing in harsh environments
• Military and emergency services applications — high-wear, impact-resistant requirements
• Any work involving significant tool use in confined spaces with impact risk

Oil Resistance in Mechanic Gloves

A common misconception is that mechanic gloves provide chemical protection against oils and fluids. They don't — or not in any certified sense. Synthetic leather palms resist light oil contamination and allow easy cleaning, but they are not rated for chemical protection against solvents, coolants, brake fluid, or other automotive chemicals. For brake fluid (glycol-based) or solvent-containing products, a separate chemical-resistant glove layer or a dedicated chemical glove is required.

The Critical Warning: Rotating Machinery and Gloves

This applies to mechanic gloves, rigger gloves, and any other glove worn in a mechanical workshop or near moving machinery:

Gloves are prohibited around rotating machinery under Australian WHS guidelines.

Rotating equipment — lathes, drill presses, milling machines, angle grinders used in a fixed configuration, any rotating shaft or chuck — creates an entanglement hazard with gloves. If a glove catches on a rotating component, the glove and hand are pulled into the machine before the user can react. The angular momentum of rotating equipment greatly exceeds the force a person can resist. The result is degloving, crushing, or avulsion injury.

Safe Work Australia and state WHS regulators explicitly list gloves as PPE that must not be worn when operating rotating machinery such as bench drills, lathes, and pedestal grinders. This includes any glove type — leather riggers, mechanic gloves, nitrile assembly gloves, knit gloves. None of them are safe around rotating nip points and rotating shafts.

The correct approach is:

• Remove gloves before operating rotating machinery
• Use machine guarding at rotating hazard points
• Never reach around or into rotating machinery under any circumstances

This is one of the most important safety distinctions in work glove selection: the hazard is not always "gloves needed" — sometimes the hazard is "gloves create a new and worse hazard."

Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are single-use gloves designed for tasks where contamination control, hygiene, or brief chemical contact protection is required. The three main materials are nitrile, latex, and vinyl.

Nitrile Disposable Gloves

Nitrile disposable gloves are the current standard for most industrial, medical, and laboratory disposable glove applications. They provide good chemical resistance against oils, fuels, many solvents, and most body fluids. They are latex-free — suitable for workers with latex allergies. They are puncture-resistant relative to latex and vinyl, which is relevant in applications where sharp objects are handled.

Nitrile disposable gloves are available in a range of thicknesses:

• Examination grade (0.05–0.1mm): The lightest weight. Standard for medical examination and food handling. Provides adequate protection against body fluids and food contact. Minimal durability for mechanical tasks.
• Industrial grade (0.1–0.15mm): Suitable for handling light chemicals, oils, and industrial fluids. More puncture-resistant than examination grade. The standard for workshop and maintenance disposable glove use.
• Heavy duty (0.2mm+): Extended-wear disposable for handling more aggressive chemicals. Not truly a disposable in the single-use sense — designed for longer task wear but still disposable.

Powdered vs. powder-free: older disposable gloves used cornstarch powder to aid donning. Powder-free gloves are now standard — the powder can contaminate sensitive processes and cause respiratory irritation. Use powder-free unless there is a specific reason otherwise.

Latex Disposable Gloves

Natural latex provides excellent elasticity, tactile sensitivity, and grip. Historically the standard for medical and laboratory use. The significant limitation is latex protein allergy — approximately 4–8% of the general population has some degree of latex sensitivity, and occupational exposure through repeated glove use can sensitise workers who were initially non-allergic. Type I latex allergy is a serious hypersensitivity that can cause anaphylaxis.

In Australian workplaces, latex gloves are being progressively replaced by nitrile in most applications. Where latex is still used — some surgical applications where the elasticity and tactile properties are specifically required — workers are screened for latex allergy. For general industrial use, nitrile is the preferred choice.

Vinyl Disposable Gloves

Vinyl (PVC) disposable gloves are the least expensive option and the weakest performer on protection. They have lower puncture resistance than nitrile or latex, lower chemical resistance against most substances, and a loose fit that reduces tactile feedback. They are latex-free.

Vinyl disposables are appropriate for light-duty tasks where contamination control is the primary requirement and chemical and mechanical protection are minimal: light food service work, general cleaning tasks, brief contact with low-hazard materials. They are not appropriate for chemical handling, medical procedures, or any application where barrier integrity is critical.

Colour Coding in Disposable Gloves

Many operations use colour-coded disposable gloves to prevent cross-contamination between areas or tasks. Common conventions include blue for general use (the most easily visible against food and surfaces), purple or black for specific zones, and white for clean-room or inspection use. The colour is not standardised across industries — establish your own convention and communicate it clearly. Blue nitrile is the most widely recognised general-purpose industrial disposable glove colour in Australia.

Sizing and Fit

A disposable glove that is too large folds at the fingertips and significantly reduces dexterity and grip. Too small, and the material is stretched thin, reducing barrier integrity. Most people use gloves one size too large — size down if you're on the cusp. Disposable gloves should fit with minimal excess material at the fingertips and palm.

Work Glove Selection Guide

The table below maps common industrial tasks and hazards to the appropriate glove type. This is a starting framework — always assess the specific task, chemical, temperature, and regulatory requirements for your workplace before finalising glove selection.

Task / Hazard	Recommended Glove Type	Key Standard	Notes
General construction, material handling	Leather rigger gloves	EN 388	Select abrasion rating ≥3; reinforced palm preferred
Warehouse picking, assembly, packaging	Nitrile-coated knit gloves	EN 388	Foam nitrile palm; replace when coating worn
Sheet metal handling, fabrication	Cut-resistant gloves (D–F rating)	EN 388:2016	HPPE or composite liner; nitrile or sandy nitrile coating
MIG/MAG welding	MIG welding gloves (split leather, lined)	EN 407 / AS/NZS 2161.4	Long gauntlet cuff; lined palm for spatter
TIG welding	TIG welding gloves (grain leather, unlined)	EN 407 / AS/NZS 2161.4	Thin construction for torch control
Handling oils, fuels, greases	Solid nitrile chemical gloves	EN 374	Not nitrile-coated knit — must be solid homogeneous nitrile
Handling solvents (ketones, esters)	Butyl rubber gloves	EN 374	Confirm breakthrough time against specific solvent
Handling concentrated acids	Neoprene or butyl rubber gloves	EN 374	Check acid concentration and contact duration
Live electrical work (LV, <1,000V)	Class 0 insulating gloves + leather protector	AS/NZS 2225 / EN 60903	Regular dielectric testing mandatory; inspect before every use
Angle grinder / impact tool use	Anti-vibration gloves	ISO 10819	Use with job rotation and HAV exposure management
Automotive/plant mechanical work	Mechanic / impact gloves	EN 388	Remove before any rotating machinery operation
Cold storage and frozen goods	Contact-cold rated insulated gloves	EN 511	Contact-cold (b) rating ≥2; waterproof membrane for wet cold
Chemical splash protection, light	Medium-weight nitrile disposable (industrial grade)	EN 374	Check specific chemical compatibility; not for sustained contact
Rotating machinery operation	No gloves	WHS regulations	Gloves are a prohibited item at rotating nip points

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the EN 388 number on work gloves actually mean?

EN 388 is the European standard for mechanical protection in occupational gloves. The number on the glove is a four- or five-character code. The first character is abrasion resistance (1–4), the second is blade cut resistance (1–5 for the older Coup test), the third is tear resistance (1–4), and the fourth is puncture resistance (1–4). If a fifth character is present (a letter A through F), it represents cut resistance under the newer ISO 13997 TDM test, which is more accurate for high-cut-resistant materials. Higher numbers and letters mean higher protection in each category. The code tells you about mechanical protection only — it says nothing about chemical resistance, heat resistance, or electrical protection, which are each covered by separate standards.

What is the difference between nitrile-coated gloves and nitrile chemical gloves?

A nitrile-coated knit glove has a fabric knit liner coated on the palm and fingers with nitrile rubber. The fabric substrate makes it porous — liquid can wick through the knit base even if the coating appears intact. These gloves are not rated for chemical protection and provide no meaningful barrier against liquid chemical contact. A solid nitrile chemical glove is made entirely of homogeneous nitrile rubber with no fabric substrate — it forms a continuous liquid barrier. This is the type rated under EN 374 for chemical resistance. If you are handling chemicals, you need a solid homogeneous chemical-resistant glove, not a coated knit. The two look similar and both say "nitrile" — the distinction matters.

What are rigger gloves and when should I use them?

Rigger gloves are the standard heavy-duty leather work gloves used across Australian trade and industrial environments. The defining features are the split leather palm and the gauntlet cuff that extends over the wrist. They are the correct choice for general construction, maintenance, material handling, fencing, and any task involving rough materials, heavy objects, or abrasive surfaces. They are not appropriate for chemical handling (leather absorbs and holds chemicals), for precision tool work (too much bulk), around rotating machinery (entanglement risk), or for live electrical work (no insulation). Within their appropriate range of tasks, a quality pair of rigger gloves is the most versatile piece of hand protection in a general trade toolkit.

Can I use a leather work glove for welding?

A standard leather rigger glove is not a welding glove and should not be used as one. Welding gloves — particularly for MIG and stick welding — have a thick insulated lining and a long gauntlet cuff, and are rated under EN 407 for radiant heat and resistance to molten metal spatter. A plain leather rigger glove lacks the liner and the EN 407 rating. Under sustained exposure to MIG or stick arc spatter, a rigger glove can transmit heat quickly and the leather surface may ignite. Use gloves that are specifically rated and certified for the welding process you are performing. TIG welding gloves are made from finer leather with less lining than MIG gloves — they should not be substituted for MIG or stick work either.

What gloves do I need for live electrical work in Australia?

For work on or near exposed live conductors under Australian electrical safety legislation, you need: Class 0 electrical insulating rubber gloves (rated to 1,000V AC working voltage, tested to AS/NZS 2225 / EN 60903) worn inside leather protector gloves. The insulating rubber gloves provide the electrical barrier; the leather protectors provide mechanical protection for the rubber glove. Both layers are required — the leather alone provides no electrical protection, and the rubber alone is mechanically vulnerable. Insulating gloves must be inspected before every use (inflated to check for pinholes and cracks) and retested dielectrically at the intervals required by your workplace WHS requirements — typically at least every 6 months. Any glove showing damage must be taken out of service immediately.

What cut resistance level do I need for warehouse or general handling work?

For general warehouse operations — picking, packing, handling boxed goods — a cut-resistant glove rated A2 to B under EN 388:2016 (equivalent to cut level 2 under the older standard) is typically adequate. For handling cardboard and general packaging, this covers most cutting and slitting hazards. If the work involves regularly handling sheet metal, glass, sharp stamped components, or blades, you need a higher rating: D to F for sheet metal and glass handling, E to F for work with exposed cutting blades. When in doubt, assess the specific hazard — what is the sharpest object you'll contact, how much force is applied, and how often? A higher cut rating than strictly necessary is generally a low-cost improvement in safety margin.

Are anti-vibration gloves actually effective?

Partially. Anti-vibration gloves certified to ISO 10819 reduce vibration transmission in the medium to high frequency range (31.5–1,250Hz). This is relevant for many hand-held power tools. However, the most harmful vibration frequencies for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) are below 31.5Hz — a range that ISO 10819 does not test and that most anti-vibration gloves do not significantly attenuate. Anti-vibration gloves provide a genuine but partial reduction in HAV exposure for appropriate tool types. They are most effective as one control within a broader approach that includes choosing low-vibration tools, implementing job rotation to limit individual exposure time, and health surveillance for workers with high HAV exposure. Relying solely on anti-vibration gloves to manage HAVS risk is insufficient.

Why can't I wear gloves around rotating machinery?

Rotating machinery — lathes, drill presses, bench grinders, any rotating shaft or chuck — creates a specific hazard with gloves. If the glove material catches on a rotating component, the rotating mass pulls the glove — and the hand inside it — around the machinery before the user can react. The angular momentum of industrial rotating equipment greatly exceeds the force a person can exert to pull free. The result is degloving, crush injury, or avulsion. This applies to all glove types: leather, nitrile, knit, mechanic gloves, everything. Safe Work Australia and state WHS regulators explicitly prohibit gloves at rotating machinery hazard points. The correct PPE for operating a lathe or pedestal drill is no gloves, combined with machine guarding at the hazard point.

What is the difference between EN 388 and AS/NZS 2161?

EN 388 is the European standard for mechanical protection in occupational gloves. AS/NZS 2161 is the Australian and New Zealand series of standards for occupational protective gloves — AS/NZS 2161.3 specifically covers mechanical risks. The two standards are technically aligned — AS/NZS 2161.3 is based on the EN 388 methodology. In practice, work gloves sold in Australia that carry EN 388 certification are generally accepted under Australian WHS requirements as meeting the AS/NZS 2161.3 equivalent. However, in regulated industries or where a specific standard is cited in a workplace WHS procedure, confirm compliance directly with your supplier. The distinction matters most for electrical insulating gloves (AS/NZS 2225), chemical protective gloves (AS/NZS 2161.10), and welding gloves (AS/NZS 2161.4), where the Australian standard may have specific test requirements relevant to Australian conditions.

How often should I replace my work gloves?

There is no universal answer — replacement frequency depends on glove type, use frequency, and task intensity. The practical test is wear condition: replace leather gloves when the leather in the palm or fingertips shows wear-through, cracking, or significant thinning. Replace coated knit gloves when the coating starts to peel, crack, or delaminate. Replace cut-resistant gloves when the knit liner shows wear or when the coating fails. Chemical-resistant gloves should be replaced when they show any signs of swelling, stiffening, softening, tackiness, or discolouration — these indicate chemical degradation of the material. Electrical insulating gloves must be replaced if any damage is found on pre-use inspection and at the end of their rated service life. For high-turnover environments, tracking glove replacement by pairs-per-person-per-week and benchmarking this against task types gives you a maintenance cost control baseline.

What is the best general-purpose work glove for a tradesperson?

For a general tradesperson across construction, maintenance, or industrial work in Australia, a quality leather rigger glove covers the majority of everyday tasks: material handling, rough surfaces, abrasion, general gripping under load. Supplement this with a pair of nitrile-coated cut-resistant assembly gloves for tasks requiring more dexterity or cut protection, and a pair of medium-weight solid nitrile chemical gloves for handling oils, fuels, and cleaning chemicals. That three-glove kit covers the major general-purpose hazard categories. Add specialised gloves — welding, electrical insulating, anti-vibration — as required by specific tasks in your work environment. The investment in having the right glove for the task pays off in protection, comfort during extended wear, and reduced hand fatigue.

Can I wash and reuse chemical-resistant gloves?

Reusable chemical-resistant gloves (neoprene, nitrile, butyl, PVC) can generally be washed between uses with water and mild detergent, then dried thoroughly before storage. The critical limitation is that washing removes surface contamination but does not reverse permeation — if a chemical has permeated into the glove wall material, it will continue to off-gas and remain in the material even after washing. For gloves used with aggressive permeating chemicals, establish a maximum use period based on the breakthrough time data for that chemical and the glove material. Once a glove has been used with a chemical approaching its breakthrough time rating, it should be replaced. Never store contaminated gloves rolled up or sealed — off-gassing chemicals can accumulate inside a sealed glove. Inspect gloves before reuse for degradation signs: swelling, tackiness, stiffening, or discolouration.