Industrial Safety Gloves Guide | Workplace Hand Protection UK | Blog

Industrial safety gloves are a critical part of personal protective equipment (PPE), helping to prevent injuries and ensure compliance across UK workplaces. From manufacturing and construction to healthcare and food production, selecting the right gloves is essential for protecting workers and maintaining safe operations.

This guide explains the importance of workplace hand protection, the different types of industrial gloves available, and how to choose the most suitable option for your environment.

The importance of hand protection at work

Hand injuries remain one of the most common workplace incidents in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), upper limb injuries — including fingers, hands and wrists — account for a significant share of non-fatal incidents.

These injuries often result from routine tasks such as:

Handling sharp materials
Working with hazardous substances
Operating machinery without adequate protection

Cuts, chemical burns, crush injuries and punctures are all common — and largely preventable with the right controls in place.

This highlights the need for effective hand protection strategies, with industrial safety gloves playing a central role in reducing risk and improving workplace safety.

Why industrial gloves are essential

Effective hand protection is not just about providing gloves - it’s about selecting the right type for the specific risks involved. When properly specified, safety gloves help to:

Meet recognised safety standards
Gloves tested to EN standards (such as EN 388 for mechanical risks or EN 407 for heat) provide a clear benchmark for protection.

Control specific hazards
Different materials and coatings are designed to resist cuts, chemicals, heat or cold depending on the task.

Reduce incident rates
Appropriate glove use can significantly lower the likelihood and severity of hand injuries in high-risk environments.

Workplace injury data highlights the scale of the issue:
In 2024/25, an estimated 680,000 workers in Great Britain sustained non-fatal injuries at work, many involving hands and wrists..

Tips for choosing the right industrial glove

When selecting industrial gloves, consider three key factors:

1. The task being performed
2. The hazards present
3. The required EN performance rating

A risk-based approach ensures that gloves provide adequate protection without compromising comfort or productivity.

Types of industrial gloves for different tasks

Different tasks and industries require different types of hand protection.

General handling
gloves

Durable, cost-effective protection for everyday tasks
Suitable for warehouses, logistics and general manual work

Cut resistant
gloves

Designed to protect against sharp edges, blades and abrasive materials
Widely used in manufacturing, metalworking, glass handling and construction

Impact and Vibration Protection gloves

Designed to reduce injury risks from knocks, crush hazards or prolonged tool vibration
Often include reinforced knuckle protection or vibration-dampening palm padding
Commonly used in construction, utilities, oil and gas and heavy maintenance environments

Chemical resistant
gloves

Protect against hazardous chemical spills, splashes and exposure
Materials include nitrile, latex, neoprene and PVC coatings
Commonly used in laboratories, cleaning operations and chemical plants

Needle resistant
gloves

Provide protection from punctures caused by thin, sharp objects
Often used in healthcare, waste management and law enforcement

Electrical handling
gloves

Insulated gloves designed for working safely with electrical equipment
Typically tested to EN 60903 for electrical insulation
Often paired with leather gauntlets to provide additional mechanical protection

Arc-flash protection gloves

Designed to protect against the intense heat and energy released during electrical arc faults
Often used alongside insulating gloves tested to EN 60903
Typically certified to EN 61482-1-2 and used in utilities, electrical maintenance and power distribution work

Heat resistant
gloves

Protect hands and forearms when exposed to high temperatures
Some industrial gloves provide contact heat protection up to 500°C depending on their EN 407 rating

Cold resistant
gloves

Provide insulation, grip and abrasion resistance in cold environments
Suitable for refrigerated storage, food logistics and outdoor work

Electrostatic protection gloves

Designed to dissipate static electricity and reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Typically tested to EN 16350 for electrostatic properties
Used in electronics manufacturing, chemical processing and ATEX environments where static sparks could present a hazard

Food safe
gloves

Designed for use in food preparation, processing and packaging
Many gloves are tested for food contact in accordance with UK and EU food-contact regulations, with compatibility depending on the glove material and the food type

Materials and key features

Industrial safety gloves use different materials and coatings to provide the required level of protection.

Common materials include:

Latex – flexible with excellent grip, though allergy risks must be considered
Nitrile – strong chemical resistance and puncture protection
Polyurethane (PU) – excellent dexterity for precision tasks
HPPE or aramid fibres – high cut resistance for handling sharp materials
Cotton – breathable and comfortable for light-duty tasks

Glove coatings such as PU, foamed nitrile or sandy nitrile can improve grip, oil resistance and durability in demanding work environments.

Key features to consider

When selecting gloves, consider: