Types of Safety Gloves and Their Uses
Different workplace activities require different types of hand protection. Construction, manufacturing, cleaning, welding, food handling and warehousing all present different hazards.
This guide explains 12 types of safety gloves and their uses, including leather gloves, cut-resistant gloves, welding gloves, PVC gloves, nitrile gloves and specialist hand protection.
Learn how to match glove materials, protection requirements and workplace tasks before purchasing PPE for employees.
Why Different Jobs Need Different Gloves
Workers may encounter sharp edges, rough materials, chemicals, sparks, cold temperatures, moisture and contamination.
No single glove provides adequate protection against every workplace hazard.
Glove selection should consider the actual task, exposure conditions, grip requirements, hand movement and relevant technical standards.
Wearing unsuitable gloves can create additional risks. For example, gloves may present entanglement hazards near some rotating machinery.
Safety Glove Types at a Glance
The following overview shows common applications. Suitability must still be confirmed for each product and workplace.
| Glove Type | Common Use | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Leather Work Gloves | General material handling | Leather construction and abrasion rating |
| Cut-Resistant Gloves | Sharp-edge handling | Verified cut-performance level |
| Welding Gloves | Welding and fabrication | Process-specific thermal protection |
| Rubber Gloves | Cleaning and wet tasks | Detergent and chemical compatibility |
| PVC Gloves | Selected wet or oily work | Coating, cuff and chemical suitability |
| Cotton Gloves | Light handling and inspection | Limited mechanical protection |
| Nitrile Gloves | Hygiene and selected chemical tasks | Thickness, intended use and compatibility |
| Latex Gloves | Suitable hygiene applications | Latex sensitivity and intended use |
| Polythene Gloves | Low-risk short-duration handling | Fit and frequent replacement |
| Cold-Room Gloves | Cold storage and chilled goods | Cold rating and grip |
| Diamond Grip Gloves | Handling requiring textured grip | Actual material and hazard rating |
| Riders Gloves | Motorcycle and delivery riding | Riding-specific protective performance |
Important: This table describes typical applications, not guaranteed protection for every product within each category.
12 Types of Safety Gloves and Their Uses
Compare common materials, protective designs and workplace applications.
1. Leather Safety Gloves
Leather work gloves are commonly used for suitable construction, loading, warehouse and workshop handling activities.
Designs include single-palm, double-palm, rigger and reinforced leather gloves.
Key consideration: Check leather quality, reinforcement, fit and mechanical protection.
Explore Leather Work Gloves →2. Cut-Resistant Gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are intended for tasks involving assessed sharp-edge hazards.
Applications may include selected metal, glass, manufacturing and construction handling.
Key consideration: Match the verified cut rating to the workplace risk. No glove is completely cut-proof.
Explore Cut-Resistant Gloves →3. Welding Gloves
Welding gloves are designed for appropriate welding and fabrication processes.
Leather construction and extended cuffs may provide useful coverage, depending on the exact glove design.
Key consideration: Confirm process suitability and documented thermal protection.
Explore Welding Gloves →4. Rubber Cleaning Gloves
Rubber gloves are commonly selected for cleaning, wet handling and janitorial activities.
Some models may be suitable for particular detergents or cleaning substances.
Key consideration: Verify chemical compatibility, cuff length and glove condition.
Explore Rubber Gloves →5. PVC Industrial Gloves
PVC-coated gloves are considered for appropriate wet, oily and industrial handling conditions.
Different models have different linings, cuff lengths and coating designs.
Key consideration: PVC does not automatically protect against every chemical. Check the specific substance.
Explore Industrial PVC Gloves →6. Cotton Work Gloves
Cotton gloves are used for appropriate light-duty handling, packaging, inspection and warehouse tasks.
Dotted or coated designs may offer different grip characteristics.
Key consideration: Ordinary cotton gloves are not suitable for high-cut-risk, chemical or high-temperature hazards.
Explore Cotton Gloves →7. Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are used in selected hygiene, laboratory, cleaning and industrial applications.
Disposable examination gloves and heavier reusable industrial nitrile gloves are different product types.
Key consideration: Confirm intended use, thickness, approvals and chemical compatibility.
Explore Nitrile Gloves →8. Latex Gloves
Latex gloves can provide flexibility and tactile sensitivity for suitable hygiene-related tasks.
Different products have different approvals and intended applications.
Key consideration: Natural rubber latex may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Explore Latex Gloves →9. Polythene Disposable Gloves
Polythene gloves are commonly considered for short-duration, low-risk handling and hygiene tasks.
They are often used where frequent glove changes are needed.
Key consideration: Confirm food-contact suitability where applicable. These are not industrial cut-protection gloves.
Explore Polythene Gloves →10. Cold-Room Gloves
Cold-protection gloves are intended for suitable chilled and low-temperature working conditions.
Applications include cold storage, refrigerated warehouses and selected food operations.
Key consideration: Verify temperature suitability, relevant ratings, grip and required dexterity.
Explore Cold-Resistant Gloves →11. Diamond Grip Gloves
Diamond-textured gloves are designed with a patterned handling surface.
Depending on the material and model, they may suit selected workshop, maintenance or industrial handling tasks.
Key consideration: Textured grip alone does not establish cut, chemical or heat protection.
Explore Diamond Grip Gloves →12. Riders Gloves
Motorcycle riders and delivery personnel may require gloves designed for riding conditions.
Suitable products should consider weather, grip, fit and motorcycle-specific hazards.
Key consideration: Ordinary industrial work gloves should not be assumed to provide certified motorcycle protection.
Enquire About Riders Gloves →Understanding Safety Glove Standards
Technical ratings help buyers select gloves for specified workplace hazards. Always check the exact product documentation.
EN 388 — Mechanical Risks
EN 388 covers specified mechanical performance, including abrasion, blade-cut, tear and puncture resistance.
Some classifications include additional cut and impact information.
Compare the actual ratings rather than assuming all EN 388 gloves provide equal protection.
EN ISO 374 — Chemical Protection
The EN ISO 374 series addresses specified chemical and microorganism protective-glove requirements.
Chemical selection must also consider the actual substance, concentration, temperature and expected contact time.
Not every glove bearing a chemical-related marking resists every chemical.
EN 407 — Thermal Risks
EN 407 covers specified thermal protective performance for relevant glove applications.
Different products may have different ratings for heat-related hazards.
Welding suitability requires additional consideration of the welding process and applicable standards.
Important: These are references to standards, not claims that every glove supplied by Bansi Suppliers has been tested or certified to those standards.
Choosing Safety Gloves for Different Workplaces
Gloves should be selected by task and exposure, not by department name alone.
Construction Sites
Consider leather, cut-resistant or other specialist gloves according to site hazards and material-handling tasks.
Construction PPE →Factories & Workshops
Manufacturing may require different glove specifications for maintenance, assembly, metalwork and production.
Manufacturing PPE →Warehousing & Logistics
Select appropriate handling gloves based on packaging, surfaces, friction, grip and movement requirements.
Warehouse PPE →Cleaning & Facilities
Choose gloves based on detergents, disinfectants, wet tasks and relevant chemical compatibility.
Cleaning Company PPE →Flower Farms & Agriculture
Workers may require different gloves for harvesting, handling, spraying and maintenance. Pesticide work needs specific chemical assessment.
Flower Farm PPE →Food Processing & Cold Storage
Consider appropriate food-contact gloves, hygiene procedures and verified cold protection for relevant roles.
Request Specialist PPE →How to Choose the Right Safety Gloves
1. Assess the Task
Identify the materials, equipment and activities involved in the work.
2. Identify Hazards
Consider cuts, abrasion, chemicals, heat, cold, wet handling and machinery hazards.
3. Select the Material
Compare leather, polymer-coated, disposable and specialist glove constructions.
4. Verify Ratings
Confirm any required mechanical, chemical, thermal or other protection ratings.
5. Check Fit and Comfort
Select appropriate sizes and assess grip, dexterity and comfort during intended use.
6. Plan Procurement
Prepare quantities, size breakdowns, replacement requirements and delivery details.
Buying Safety Gloves in Bulk in Kenya?
A company may need leather gloves for loading, cut-resistant gloves for selected metal handling, and cleaning gloves for facilities staff.
Bansi Suppliers supports multi-category hand-protection enquiries for companies, contractors, factories, institutions and project teams.
Combining departmental requirements into one procurement schedule can make purchasing and quotation review easier.
Explore Safety Gloves in Kenya
Safety Gloves Product Collection
Browse available glove models and their listed product details.
Browse Safety Gloves →Safety Gloves Prices in Kenya
Learn what affects glove costs and how to compare pricing for bulk purchases.
Read Pricing Guide →Where to Buy Gloves in Nairobi
Explore local glove purchasing, quotation and delivery guidance.
Nairobi Glove Supply →Types of Safety Gloves — FAQs
What are the main types of safety gloves?
Common types include leather, cut-resistant, welding, rubber, PVC, cotton, nitrile, latex, polythene, cold-room and specialist grip gloves.
Which gloves are suitable for construction?
Leather and cut-resistant gloves may suit selected tasks, depending on the materials handled and required protection.
Can ordinary leather gloves prevent cuts?
Leather may resist some friction and abrasion, but a specific cut rating should not be assumed without test documentation.
Are nitrile gloves chemical resistant?
Chemical resistance depends on glove formulation, thickness, the substance involved and exposure time.
Which safety standard applies to cut-resistant gloves?
EN 388 addresses specified mechanical performance, including cut resistance. Check the exact glove rating.
Can companies order different glove types together?
Yes. Submit a consolidated procurement list with glove types, specifications, sizes and quantities for quotation review.
Need the Right Safety Gloves for Your Workforce?
Compare glove types, assess workplace hazards and prepare your corporate hand-protection requirements.
Send your glove specifications, sizes, quantities and delivery destination for quotation review.
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