The Benefits of Glove Safety

While safety gloves are not the first thing that comes to mind when we think of safety workwear, it ought to be. Statistically, what hand injuries cost employers is six times what it would cost to outfit their entire workforce in a construction scenario. 

Hand injuries are more common than any other workplace injury

Add to that the fact that workers are more likely to injure their hands than any other part of the body, including wrists, arms, and shoulders. Breaking it down further, cuts or punctures are the most common hand injury, representing 40% of all reported hand injuries on the job. This is followed by sprains and fractures, and then burns or chemical burns. 

The top reasons cited for hand injury include the absence of hand protection and lack of adequate training, but the biggest takeaway from these numbers is the fact that the vast majority of these injuries could have been avoided if the worker was wearing proper hand protection.

If they are properly trained on the task at hand (pun intended), workers know that wearing safety gloves will help protect them from injury. However, up to 75% likely do not wear gloves unless they are engaged in a particularly dangerous job. This concern is backed up by more stats that show although workplace injury is largely on the decline, hand injury itself is not. 

And when you consider that wearing safety gloves can potentially reduce the instance of hand injury by 70%, it is concerning that workers – and employers – are not taking a hard line on glove safety. 

Comfort and dexterity are always a concern

Dexterity and comfort are common issues surrounding the decision to wear or not wear safety gloves. The common thought may be that it may take longer to complete a task while wearing safety gloves, or that the gloves may be too hot, too uncomfortable, or don’t have enough grip. If this is the case, employers are not choosing good-quality safety gloves of the type that are on the market today.

Today’s high-performance safety gloves are made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). They are lightweight, comfortable, and breathable without scrimping on grip or comfort. Ironclad safety gloves provide cut and puncture protection while delivering a comfortable fit and high performance. Depending on the model, they can be waterproof, windproof, and rated for extremely high or low temperatures, assuring your hand safety no matter what the job – from welding to construction and more.

Safety Workwear has your hand safety needs covered

If you would like to find out more about safety work gloves for yourself or for your crew, drop us a line today, and check this space often for more on-the-job safety tips.