Latex gloves are used within a number of industries for their protective properties, and because of their commonplace nature they can frequently seem to be ‘part of the furniture’, so to speak. However, the Health and Safety Executive actually recommends that latex gloves conform to a number of very specific standards, and in some cases you should even seek out an alternative type of glove. Here is a brief overview of their suggestions:
Initial Decisions
The Health and Safety Executive advises that you should consider other means of protection rather than simply opting for latex gloves, and similarly you should ask yourself whether you even need latex gloves to fulfil a specific task that you have in mind. This thought-process naturally stems from the complications with latex gloves when worn by someone with a latex allergy, and as such avoiding their use is not always a bad thing.
If you still feel that protective gloves are a mandatory consideration for the task at hand, then you must procure products of a certain quality. At the Glove Club, all of our products are certified to medical grade – the highest possible standard that is recognised – so there is never going to be any concern in this area when you buy from us. We also sell protective gloves that are tailored to certain situations, so you’ll always receive the best hand wear on the market.
The Gloves
Many workplaces make use of single-use latex gloves, and it is strongly advised that such gloves must be low-protein and (if possible) powder free. Powdered latex gloves are far easier to wear and remove than their non-powdered counterparts, but the powder can carry traces of problematic NRL proteins which, when airborne, can aggravate latex allergy sufferers when inhaled.
Of course, some people may find themselves unable to use latex gloves; if they have an identified allergy to latex, for example. In these situations, an alternative glove is preferred. Latex gloves might be a ubiquitous assistant within many industries, but Nitrile gloves and 
the like have been developed for the select situations where they are unsuitable for use, so there is always an option to make use of.
You can find out more about using latex gloves in your workplace by visiting the Health and Safety Executive website, and if you’re an employer you’d do well to acquaint yourself with your responsibilities in this area at your earliest convenience.
At the Glove Club, we know that protective body wear extends far beyond just latex gloves, and because of this we stock a huge array of viable products to help improve the cleanliness and safety of your workplace. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll be able to help, so contact us now by calling 0500 456 832 to find out more.
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