The appropriate glove will protect skin from:
- Contact with biological, chemical, or radioactive material
- Burns from hot or extremely cold surfaces or corrosives
- Cuts from sharp objects
Classes of Gloves
There are many gloves that are made for specific uses. There is no one glove that protects against all hazards. Chemical resistance varies by glove material. Use the manufacturer’s glove-specific compatibility chart to determine the appropriate gloves to use.
| GLOVE CLASS | TYPE | FUNCTION |
| Light latex, neoprene, nitrile, or vinyl gloves |
|
Protects against:
|
| Light to heavy chemical resistant gloves |
|
NOTE: When selecting glove size, length, and thickness, consider exposure:
|
| Insulated gloves |
|
Protects against:
|
|
Protects against:
|
|
| Wire mesh gloves |
|
Protects against:
|
Determining the Appropriate Gloves to Use
For assistance, refer to the following sources:
- Chemical Hygiene Plan Personal Protection Equipment Assessment
- Glove Compatibility Charts Provided By Suppliers (see below)
The following companies provide information about glove compatibility. Variables such as permeation and degradation rates, type of use, and type of protection are considered. If the above chart does not provide the information needed, and manufacturers are not helpful, contact EHS for assistance at EHSLabSafety@umich.edu.
| GLOVE COMPATIBILITY CHARTS | DESCRIPTION |
| Ansell® Protective Products, Inc. Glove Compatibility Chart | Rates each glove by permeation and degradation resistance by chemical. |
| Cole-Parmer® | Provides glove compatibility results based on the chemical selected |
| MAPA® Professional | Searches for gloves using the following criteria:
|
| Microflex | Rates chemical resistance for Latex, Nitrile, and NeoPro gloves |
| North® by Honeywell Chemical Resistance Guide | Rates each glove by physical and chemical performance |
| SHOWA BEST® Glove, Inc. | Searches for gloves using the following criteria:
|
