Selecting the right gloves for the job

Safety gloves for the workplace

Protecting your workers’ hands is essential for productivity, health and safety. Unfortunately, hand protection can often be overlooked.

In this article, we cover the various types of work gloves you may need, including general handling gloves, cut-resistant, thermal, chemical-resistant, disposable, and rubber gloves. We also share tips on how to choose the right gloves for your application and key product details to look for.

What type of gloves do you need?

Many hand injuries are preventable by wearing the right gloves. The question is – which glove is right for the job? To determine this, you first need to identify the main risks involved in the job and what kind of protection you need. For some applications, you may even need protection from multiple risks. The common risks include:

Chemical exposure
Sharp or heavy objects
Extreme temperatures
Bacteria and germs
Fragile materials

Chemical exposure

When working with chemicals, it is vital to wear gloves that can withstand the chemicals and protect your hands. Chemical-resistant gloves are usually made from rubbers and plastics such as nitrile, neoprene, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) due to their naturally chemical-resistant properties. Rubber gloves can provide resistance to water-based chemicals.

When choosing the right work gloves, it's important to assess the strength, type, and level of exposure to the chemical. You’ll also need to train your team to check their gloves for holes, cuts, or weak points each time they use them to avoid accidental exposure.

Our range of chemical-resistant gloves includes:

Chemguard Gauntlet
This 30CM gauntlet with an NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) coating offers tough abrasion when handling chemicals and solvents.
ATG Maxidry
This 26CM gauntlet has an NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) non-slip coating for controlled performance in oily or wet environments. It is silicon-free and completely liquid-proof.
ATG Maxidry Plus
With all the benefits and features of the ATG Maxidry, the Plus also has a 30cm gauntlet so provides more coverage than the standard Maxidry.
Ansell Solvex 37-175
These dexterous gloves are moisture-absorbent, comfortable and cotton-flocking. They offer versatile hand protection but specifically type A chemical protection.
ESKO 60cm ChemGard
This nitrile-coated ergonomically designed glove provides an excellent fit and allows precision work. It has a granulated palm, cotton interlock liner and eyelets for a tighter fit.

Sharp or heavy objects

When working with sharp objects, wearing cut-resistant gloves will protect your hands from cuts and lacerations. They are commonly used in construction, timber handling, manufacturing, and other industries with heavy-duty machinery. Cut-resistant gloves are mostly commonly made from UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), nylon or spandex and can come with a nitrile or latex-dipped coating.

Our range of cut-resistant gloves includes:

Blade-cut gloves
The range of Blade cut gloves is made of a high-tech 13-gauge yarn. This glove is extremely protective and durable, designed specifically for the food industry. It is ideal for high-cut environments and it still maintains its Cut level F after 25 washes.
Blade Puncture and Cut Resistant gloves
This glove is ideal for medium-cut hazards and puncture protection. Designed with reinforced palms, this glove offers abrasion, slash and penetration protection. It is high-viz and has a stretch-nylon back which provides great dexterity and unimpeded hand functioning.
ATG range
- Maxiflex Cut B glove is designed and developed with all the benefits of the MaxiFlex range with the added protection of cut resistance while maintaining flexibility, comfort and dexterity.
- Maxicut Ultra cut gloves are designed for an increased risk of cut and offer comfort, breathability and dexterity. They are touchscreen-compatible, silicone-free, washable and dermatologically accredited. We have two styles of this glove, both cut C and cut D.
- Maxicut Ultra Cut C
- Maxicut Ultra Cut D

To understand the cut-resistant levels, as well as the primary purposes and applications associated with each level of gloves, check out the infographic below.

Cut resistance levels explained

Extreme temperatures

Thermally insulated gloves help protect hands from extreme heat or cold. These are ideal for working outdoors or in cold storage.

Our range of temperature-resistant gloves includes:

Esko Polar Bear Thermal Gloves
These gloves have a dual-lined design and a special coating for grip and flexibility in cold weather. Enhanced with Actifresh-treated FGT Flexi-Grip Technology, they offer strong grip in tough, wet, and cold conditions.
Flexituff Thermal Gloves
These latex-coated gloves are machine washable, comfortable, and water-repellent. This makes them ideal for manoeuvring pallets and operating machinery.
Esko Hot Shot Welders
These gloves are made from high-quality red cow split leather and are kevlar stitched to withstand high temperatures for longer periods. They have reinforced palms to the first finger for added durability and are 16 inches long for forearm protection.
ATG Maxitherm Thermal Gloves
The MaxiTherm is designed for general handling in cold environments. It is made with natural latex patented no-slip grip coating. The glove can withstand contact heat up to 200 degrees for 15 seconds and thermal resistance down to -10 degrees at high activity.
ATG Maxidry Zero Gloves
MaxiDry zero is designed to offer thermal resistance and is liquid-proof. The coating is designed to remain flexible down to -30 degrees and can be in contact with heat up to 100 degrees for 15 seconds.

Bacteria and germs

When working in the healthcare, food and beverage, or beauty industries, it is critical that you protect the products and your team from cross-contamination. By using single-use disposable gloves, you can prevent the spread of bacteria and maintain a hygienic workspace.

Disposable gloves are designed for single use and are typically made of latex, vinyl, or nitrile. One of the main purposes of disposable gloves is to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

Our range of disposable gloves includes:

Blue Nitrile Gloves
These blue gloves are resistant to punctures, latex-free, powder-free, and available in short or long styles.
Powder Free Latex Gloves
These powder-free gloves offer excellent puncture resistance and an ambidextrous fit.
Gecko blue vinyl gloves
These gloves are an inexpensive, single-use choice for a variety of applications usually within the food industry. With a longer shelf life compared to latex, these gloves are powder-free to avoid allergic reactions or food contamination.

Fragile materials

When working with fragile products and materials, wearing gloves can reduce the risk of damage. For example, when handling delicate materials, wearing soft cotton gloves will provide an invaluable layer of protection. You may also want to consider gloves with extra grip to avoid dropping and breaking materials.

Our range of gloves for fragile materials includes:

Armour Nylon Gloves
These lightweight gloves are ideal for wear over the top of a polycotton glove, eliminating the risk of lint, marks, or contamination. They also offer a tighter fit and help to keep your hands warm.
Poly Cotton Gloves
These gloves are ideal for cushioning and wearing under other gloves. They’re also fully reversible and offer good dexterity.
Poly dot grip gloves
These poly-cotton gloves feature PVC dots on the palm and fingers, providing extra grip for handling applications.

Work gloves NZ

At Primepac, we have everything you need to keep your business running safely and smoothly. We’re always happy to provide expert advice and our same-day dispatch means you keep operating at all times. To find the right work gloves for your application, explore the range below: