The comfort factor

Personal protective equipment (PPE) has had a bad rap. Workers don't like wearing it. The perception is that any PPE item that actually provides wearer safety and product protection must be bulky and uncomfortable. The common opinion across industrial workplaces is that gloves will negatively impact on productivity, by decreasing dexterity, making for clumsy, sluggish and uncomfortable working conditions.

However, with continual developments in glove manufacturing, surer handling, greater comfort and better product protection can be achieved by wearing gloves. Even art handlers are feeling the benefits of working with truly ergonomic gloves.

Comfort, what does it mean?

Several factors contribute to glove comfort, including fit, flexibility, dexterity and tactile sensitivity. Each of these factors will directly impact on a worker's acceptance and how well the individual can perform his or her job tasks.

Conversely, gloves that are bulky or too loose impair the worker's dexterity, slow productivity and can be hazardous when worn near certain equipment or where grip and sure handling is important. Gloves that are too large are also more likely to fall off the worker's hands.

Why is comfort important?

Over the years, numerous studies have confirmed that the comfort of safety gloves directly impacts on a worker's willingness to wear them. If gloves don't fit properly or the worker finds them more of a hindrance than a help, they're more likely to choose the 'bare hand' alternative.

Of course, unprotected hands are much more susceptible to injury and exposure to harmful substances, which can lead to increased medical and indemnity costs, associated down time and a decline in employee morale.

Studies also show that employees who feel that their gloves are uncomfortable may change out of their gloves up to four or five times each day - when the gloves are dirty, when the employee goes to lunch or on break and when the employee believes the product hinders his or her ability to complete the assignment. Donning or removing gloves will require workers to leave the line, which will increase down time. Conversely, when employees are satisfied with the safety and efficiency of the product they are using, less down time is likely to occur. As an added benefit, employee morale will probably improve. Comfort is therefore a fundamental consideration during the design, production and selection of hand protection products.

The protection factor

There is more to protection in the industrial workplace than employee safety and accident reduction. Products and the company itself also need to be protected. Where a product is fragile and sensitive to contamination, for example, certain gloves are available to ensure they're not damaged in any way.

For example lint-free liners and silicone-free coatings are available to ensure no fingerprints or glove debris on the finished goods. Using the 'right' glove for any one specific application will also help to decrease product wastage, injuries and injury-related costs, increase productivity and thus improve a company's bottom line.

The 'right' glove for the task is one specifically designed for that application. Gloves are available, for example, with specially formulated compounds or designs to improve worker grip on wet, smooth or slippery objects. Gloves can also provide high levels of cut resistance, finished good protection or extra durability for highly demanding tasks.

Within the industrial sector, increased automation and improved equipment have changed the environment workers are exposed to and, in turn, the potential risks they may face. Such changes have presented glove manufacturers with the opportunity to offer alternative materials that are lighter weight and more comfortable, while providing very high levels of protection. An example of this is the Intercept Technology yarn developed by Ansell in conjunction with DuPont. Threads of cotton, spandex, Kevlar and stainless steel are blended and weaved into a comfortable, firm fitting seamless liner, providing high level cut and abrasion resistance, yet in a surprisingly lightweight and comfortable construction.

New coatings used in combination with these new advanced synthetic materials have also been developed to promote greater abrasion resistance, longer wear and better fit. The specially formulated 'foamed nitrile' palm dip provides more grip and less slip, therefore allowing assembly tasks to be done more quickly and safely.

Providing workers with gloves that are comfortable and designed for the task will not only keep workers safe, but will reduce the potential direct and indirect costs resulting from hand injuries ie, lost time and decreased productivity. Whether handling a priceless piece of artwork or oily engine parts, employers need to feel reassured that products and workers are protected, and an ergonomic glove can provide that security.