Why is the sizing process important?
Just in 2020, about 16.000 companies showed signs of non-fatal workplace injuries hand related, which is around 25% of all injuries. Accidents causes include chemical burns, cuts, scratches, impacts, exposures, and others. So protecting your extremities is crucial.
Regardless of your work, it’s impossible for an employer to do his best if not 100% comfortable. Therefore, you should always double-check your hand size while buying new gloves, even because your hands may increase in volume due to determinate circumstances. (e.g. medication). Still, gloves can only fit perfectly if you have the correct size. Depending on the type of material and brand, your size may change.
Here is how to properly measure your hand size:
Depending on the type of gloves you are looking for (explained further), you will need to measure your hand length and width. Here’s how to do it:
Length: start measuring from the bottom of your palm towards the tip of the middle finger. This will result in your hand (finger) length size.
Sizes:
Width: Another way is to measure your dominant hand (right if you are right-handed and left if left-handed) while making a fist. This way, you put the measuring tape below the knuckles while exposing the thumb to find your glove size. You can also measure both ways and choose the size that fits both categories. If, for example, you are an S in length and an M in width, it’s always preferable to get the larger size in order for more comfort. Same thing if you have numbers, such as 6 ½.
Sizes:
EU sizes US sizes152 - 178 mmEU - 6 6-7 inchesXS178 - 203 mmEU - 7 7-8 inchesS203 - 229 mmEU - 8 8-9 inchesM229 - 254 mmEU - 9 9-10 inchesL254 - 279 mmEU - 10 10-11 inchesXL279 plus mmEU - 11 11 + inchesXXL
Most of the times, the manufacturing only offer teh sizes according to inches, so it’s always good to have that into account and then convert to Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large or Extra Extra Large.
Useful information:
Try not get your gloves wet as little as possible, even the waterproof ones.
Air dry them when possible. Don’t worry if they get stiff after, your natural body oils will return them to their natural state in a minute.
Cloth gloves are NOT waterproof.
Leather gloves will adapt to your hand with the usage.
In case you choose suede gloves, a waterproof chemical treatment is recommended.
Always check the manufacturing website, they may. Have their own section on ‘hot to measure your gloves, so you can choose the best one.
Types of gloves
As with all protective gear, such as work clothes, there are multiple types of gloves to fit with all needs around the industries. Here are some examples:
Latex gloves: the most seen option, as they are used in tons of examples. Are an effective shield against houseware materials such as detergent and biohazards like bacteria and body fluids.
Nitrile gloves: have the same goal as latex gloves, but without the risk of triggering a latex allergy (at least 1% of the world population have reported some degree of allergy).
Fabric gloves: made with cotton or cotton blend, provide a good grip to handle certain objects, especially if slippery. In addition, they help retain the heat or cold.
Leather gloves: intended to ensure safety from sparks, especially when working in combination with electricity, in which case they may (and should) be lined with an insulator. Not appropriated to work with chemicals, as it is an absorbent material.
Metal mesh gloves: mostly common when working with cutting tools, such as knives and dangerous machines, as they protect from cuts and scratches.
Cryogenic gloves: perfect at protecting hands from extremely cold temperatures.
Chemical resistant gloves: these gloves come in different materials, as it all depends on the chemical the worker is in contact with. Still, once the glove is contaminated, it should be removed as quickly as possible. Therefore, they are not suitable for extended use.
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