Industrial safety gloves are essential for protecting hands from specific workplace hazards. However, it is important to note that not all such gloves are equal in terms of protection. Using the wrong type of gloves can be as risky as using no gloves at all. Here are seven vital signs that you are using the wrong industrial safety gloves for your job, and what you need to use instead.

Your Gloves Wear Out Too Fast

If your gloves tear, thin out or lose grip within days, these are not designed for your specific working conditions. If light-duty gloves are used for construction, metal handling and other similar heavy tasks, these will degrade fast.

It is better that you look for gloves that are rated for abrasion resistance or heavy-duty applications. Go for leather gloves that are designed for industrial wear.

You Still Get Cuts or Scratches

Your gloves may not be able to offer necessary protection in case of minor cuts or abrasions. It is quite common while handling sheet metal, sharp tools, blades or glass. Make sure that you use cut-resistant gloves for your tasks.

Your Hands Feel Numb or Painful After Work

In case you feel numbness, tingling or hand fatigue, you are not getting enough impact or vibration protection from your gloves. These are common issues while using power tools or performing repetitive motion.

Rather, you should use impact-resistant gloves. You can reduce strain and avoid long-term injury risks.

Your Grip Slips in Wet or Oily Conditions

Your gloves may be failing to provide you with sufficient grip if tools slip out of your hands often. In oily, wet or greasy environments, smooth gloves do not perform well. Use leather gloves with proper coating, which offers better grip in slippery conditions.

Your Hands Get Irritated or Burned

If you are suffering from skin irritation, rashes or burning sensations, your gloves are not chemically compatible with the substances you handle. It is quite possible that some chemicals may pass through your glove material. Go for chemical-resistant gloves that are designed to resist the entry of the specific chemicals you work with.

You Remove Gloves Because They Are Uncomfortable

In case of too stiff, bulky or poorly fitting gloves, it can be difficult to wear them for prolonged duration. These can be self-defeating, making the use of gloves meaningless.

Ergonomic gloves of proper size can be protective as well as flexible. Choose gloves that fit snugly, allowing precise hand movement, and are made of breathable materials.

Your Gloves Do Not Match Your Job Type

It is a common mistake to use general-purpose gloves for specialized tasks. For instance, you can expect little protection when you use thin gloves in high-heat environments or cotton gloves for welding.

You should use task-specific gloves instead, such as electrical-rated gloves for electrical work, insulated gloves for cold storage or heat-resistant gloves for welding.

Reassessing your selection of industrial safety gloves based on your needs is essential. Go for those that can keep your hands safe, boost your productivity and improve your long-term health.