The best chemical resistant gloves when working with toxic or hazardous substances
When handling toxic or hazardous substances, it's important to keep your hands safe. Hand protection often gets overlooked, yet the 2021/22 Labour Force Survey revealed that 565,000 workers reported non-fatal injuries. It's likely that a good proportion of these were hand-related injuries.
There are many potential hand injuries that can occur when working in a manual job and the risk is heightened when the task involves handling toxic or hazardous substances.
With so many gloves out there, which ones should you choose? At Mstore, we have an extensive selection of chemical resistant gloves and have put together a short guide, focusing on our top picks, outlining the key features and giving you some tips on picking the right pair for your tasks.
Are Nitrile gloves chemical resistant?
Chemical resistant nitrile gloves are the perfect go-to for protection, offering strong resistance to many toxic substances. Generally more affordable, Chemical resistant nitrile gloves are cost-effective and suitable for a range of tasks.
The SHOWA 720 chemical-resistant nitrile gloves stand as a perfect choice and offer many benefits such as:
- Suitable for various applications including manufacturing, construction and pharmaceutical
- 100% nitrile coated to offer exceptional durability, flexibility, dexterity and comfort
- The impermeable design makes them perfect for working in damp or greasy environments
- A light, elastic low-lint glove to help keep shape for longer
Another popular choice for chemical resistant gloves is the SHOWA 707D lightweight nitrile safety glove. This hybrid nitrile glove offers protection against chemicals while offering a ‘second skin’ feeling that facilities excellent grip and dexterity. Features include:
- High protection from most chemical-based detergent
- Superior dexterity and comfort even over a cut-resistant liner
- Tractor tread grip pattern for excellent grip capabilities
- Lightweight construction to aid ultimate comfort and ‘second skin’ feeling
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Looking for longer arm protection? The SHOWA 772 nitrile gauntlet safety glove certainly delivers in this area. A flexible glove featuring SHOWA's unique stitching technology in its liner ensures unrestricted movement while preventing stress in the thumb crotch area.
One of the standout features of these chemical resistant gloves is that they have a combined glove and sleeve, unlike traditional ones where the sleeve is attached by heat. This means they don't come apart when worn. Other key features include:
- High resistance to chemicals, oils and acids
- Offers full protection from the fingers, right up to the shoulders
- Perfect for working in damp or greasy environments, enabling a secure grip
- Protects the hand from oils, hydrocarbons, grease and abrasion
- The longer length of 65cm gives full hand and arm protection
Are PVC gloves chemical resistant?
PVC gloves are commonly used in a variety of industries for their protective properties however, their suitability for chemical protection largely depends on the specific chemicals in question. They are compatible for use with diluted oxidants such as hydrochloric acid, but not so great with substances such as acetone and chlorinated solvents.
The SHOWA 660 blue PVC safety gloves are a top pick from us, simply because they are known to be significantly more durable than other types of PVC safety gloves. Features include:
- An elasticated cuff provides a comfortable fit that facilitates movement
- A rough finish to allow for a secure grip on objects, in wet, oily, or dry conditions
- A soft comfortable cotton lining for maximum comfort and prevention of irritation
- Available in 3 different lengths - 30cm, 34cm and 36cm, offering versatility
- Affordable price range and reusable
- Waterproof
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When looking for a PVC chemical resistant glove with longer length, look no further than the SHOWA 690 PVC gauntlet safety glove. Featuring an extended bonded sleeve, this fully coated PVC dipped glove offers the ultimate protection for the entire arm. Other benefits include:
- Excellent resistance to oils and abrasion
- Perfect for working in damp or greasy environments
- 65cm in length, ensuring maximum protection for the hand and arm
- Cotton-lined and seamless knit for extra comfort
- Rough surface grip to provide ultimate tactility
The SHOWA KV660 triple-dipped PVC gauntlet is another top pick of ours when it comes to the ultimate chemical resistant gloves. These are flexible, easy-maintenance, triple-dipped PVC gauntlets that provide effective protection not only against chemicals but cuts too. Key features include:
- Protection against cuts (Cut resistant: Level B (EN 388:2016))
- Seals and protects the hands while remaining flexible for excellent dexterity
- Fully coated with a rough finish to provide a tactile feel and better grip
- Designed with comfort in mind, allows easy movement and continuous wear
- Seamless to prevent irritation on the skin
- Extended protection to the forearm
- Reasonably priced, not the cheapest option but not the most expensive
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In need of chemical resistant gloves?
Mstore offers a wide variety of gloves designed specifically for protection against chemicals. These gloves, often referred to as chemical work or handling gloves, feature an extended wrist length compared to regular work gloves. From Nitrile to PVC, we have a variety of designs that will minimise the risk of chemicals reaching the exposed skin around the wrist through unintended splashes and provide the ultimate protection in various applications.
Still unsure which chemical resistant gloves to go for? Contact us