Page 8 of Disposable Gloves

When can disposable gloves be used?

Disposable gloves are essential for many industries and settings including healthcare, foodservice, childcare, janitorial, laboratory, and automative. Above all, gloves are there to protect hands from contaminants and maintain sanitation standards.

Here are some common uses for disposable gloves:

• Lawn and garden work
• Plumbing or mechanical work
• Using cleaning and janitorial supplies
• When handling medical supplies
• Working with hazardous chemicals or materials

What are the types of disposable gloves?

There are different types of disposable gloves for different uses. Let’s look at the four most common types.

Latex gloves

Latex gloves provide flexibility, protection, and comfort. They’re suitable for most situations, unless a latex allergy is an issue.

Vinyl gloves

Vinyl gloves are an alternative to latex if an allergic reaction is a concern. They are also cheaper than latex gloves. However, they are also less durable and offer limited protection against chemicals.

Nitrile Gloves (which include fentanyl certified gloves)

Nitrile gloves are the leading latex alternative, although they’re not as flexible as latex. They are, however, more puncture-resistant and more resistant to chemicals, making them ideal for potentially hazardous situations. Fentanyl certified nitrile gloves are available in certain styles for extra protection.

Polyethylene gloves

You may not have heard the word “polyethylene,” but you’ve likely seen these gloves before in a cafeteria or restaurant. Polyethylene gloves offer comfortable, lightweight protection that’s perfect for food prep.

What should I consider when choosing disposable gloves?

There are a couple different factors to consider when choosing disposable gloves, such as:

• Material
• Thickness
• Fit & sizes
• Industrial vs exam grade gloves
• Powder vs powder-free (Tip: The powder makes them easy to get on and off quickly, but it can leave a residue on surfaces.)

Overall, think about what you’ll be using the gloves for and which attributes will be most critical for the situation.