Gloves are an essential tool for workers, especially those in the medical industry. They help prevent injury and infections. The looming pandemic has led to the equipment being on-demand from doctors and frontline workers. Gloves vary, and different facilities prefer different gloves. In case you find it hard to locate the ones that you prefer, it’s important that you are aware of others that work similarly with your initial choice.
Since they vary in use depending on the industry, their use needs to be in line with the kind of protection being expected from the glove. For instance, latex gloves are thin, making them unsafe for a situation susceptible to tears and punctures.
The basis of rating gloves includes elasticity, use, strength, thickness, and their ability to resist wear and tear together with chemicals. Gloves can be classified as either disposable or reusable.
Disposable Gloves
For disposable gloves, you can either rate them as medical or general-purpose gloves.
Medical Gloves
They are also known as exam gloves. They entail the:
- Surgical gloves
- Examination gloves
- Chemotherapy gloves
They are different because they are made with FDA-required standards for the medical industry. These gloves have unique protection, comfort, and durable nature. Once you are done with the task, you immediately dispose of them.
General Use Gloves
These gloves can be used for general tasks like in the automotive industry, salon, janitorial reasons, or handling food.
Reusable Gloves
Reusable gloves are way stronger than the latter as they can perform heavy-duty functions. The chances of tearing or bursting are minimal, making them reusable. They protect from harmful substances like chemicals better than the disposable. The only downside is that there’s no sensitivity experienced in this, and they offer minimal flexibility.
Since they are reusable, they need proper inspection before handling the next task. In case of any damage like a tear, they should be replaced. Contamination or discoloration is also a sign of a defective glove.
Industries that Use Gloves
Apart from the healthcare industry, other industries that use gloves include the cleaning and the food industry. For the cleaning industry, there is no regulation that goes into the gloves. You just have to ensure that chemicals are being used; the gloves should match the chemical strength to avoid injuries.
For the food industry, general-purpose gloves are used. The tools are inspected by the FDA to ensure they meet the required standards.
Before purchasing any glove, you first need to beware of the task it’s going to undertake. Some of the qualities to look out for include resistance to chemicals, elongation, tensile strength, and glove thickness. For instance, a thicker glove provides more protection compared to a thin glove. However, its sensitivity rate is lessened, making it difficult to operate in. When it comes to length, longer gloves are recommended when operating in high-end risk tasks. They are also good for when you have to insert your hands in a chemical. Get the right one for you.