Construction workers encounter a wide range of hazards on the job, including cuts, burns, and other injuries to the hands and fingers. To safeguard themselves, they often rely on high-quality safety gloves. However, with so many types of gloves on the market, it can be challenging to determine which ones are best suited for construction work. In this blog, we'll explore the most common types of workwear gloves used in construction and the key features to consider when selecting the right gloves for your needs.
Construction workers frequently handle sharp tools and materials that can cause cuts and lacerations. Cut-resistant gloves are specially designed with high-strength fibers, offering robust protection against cuts and abrasions. These workwear gloves come in different levels of cut resistance, so it's crucial to choose the appropriate level of protection based on the specific task at hand. Popular materials include Kevlar and Dyneema, which are known for their exceptional cut resistance.
Impact injuries are another significant risk for construction workers. Impact-resistant gloves are designed with strategic padding on the back of the hand and fingers, providing protection against impacts, bumps, and bruises. These gloves often feature reinforced fingertips, adding an extra layer of defense against cuts and abrasions. When selecting impact-resistant gloves, look for those that meet industry standards for impact protection.
Many construction tasks involve exposure to high temperatures, such as working with welding torches or hot pipes. Heat-resistant gloves are crafted from materials like leather, aluminized fabric, or other specialized heat-resistant fabrics. These gloves are designed to protect against heat, sparks, and hot liquids. They come in various levels of heat protection, so it's essential to choose the right gloves for the specific temperature ranges and tasks you’ll be performing.
Construction workers often come into contact with hazardous chemicals, such as solvents, acids, and other dangerous substances. Chemical-resistant gloves are made from durable materials like nitrile or neoprene, providing a critical barrier between the worker's skin and harmful chemicals. These gloves are essential for tasks involving chemical exposure and should be selected based on the specific chemicals being handled.
When choosing safety gloves for construction work, it's important to consider the specific hazards that workers may encounter on the job. Cut resistant, impact resistant, heat resistant, and chemical resistant gloves are the most common types of safety gloves used in construction. Workers should choose gloves that provide the right level of protection for their specific task, and check that the gloves fit properly to ensure maximum comfort and protection.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is the UK government agency responsible for regulating and enforcing workplace health and safety, hand injuries are one of the most common types of injuries in the construction industry.
In 2019/2020, there were 2,450 non fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry in the UK that were reported to the HSE. Of these injuries, 740 (30%) were classified as hand injuries.
The most common types of hand injuries in the construction industry include cuts, lacerations, punctures, fractures, and amputations. These injuries can occur as a result of contact with machinery, tools, and equipment, as well as exposure to hazardous materials.
To prevent hand injuries in the construction industry, employers are required to provide appropriate PPE, such as gloves, and to ensure that workers are properly trained in safe work practices.
In conclusion, safety gloves play a critical role in protecting construction workers from the hazards they encounter on the job. By choosing the right gloves for the task, workers can reduce their risk of injury and work with confidence, knowing that their hands and fingers are protected.
OAKEYS safety has a great range of safety workwear gloves for construction workers, allowing them to select the right gloves for their environment and hazard, if any advise is needed then the team will be more than happy to aid you in your choice!
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