We use our hands every day. Every hour. Every minute. We scratch our cheek without thinking about it. We reach for the salt on the dinner table. And we use them at work – no matter what job we hold. Our hands are one of our most important assets.

It is not all companies where there is a tradition of using gloves, and some may also think that it can be a little troublesome with a pair of clunky gloves. We understand that very well. However, a good pair of work gloves will help keep occupational injuries to your hands at bay. It is therefore worth thinking about how often you actually use your hands, without thinking about it, when you consider skipping the work gloves.

There is a selection of gloves on the market, and here we help you see which gloves you should use for your particular purpose.
If you already know what you're after, you can explore ours large selection of gloves here at the Security giant.
If you are in doubt about which gloves to choose or when you should use gloves, read along below.

When to use gloves

Gloves protect both yourself and others - for example if you work with food. But of course not all jobs require gloves. So when should you use gloves in your work?

Gloves are an important part of safety in some workplaces. If your hands are exposed to the various vagaries of the weather, then it is important to have the right protection, or if your job requires lifting heavy elements, then a pair of work gloves with good grip is necessary.

There are gloves for every purpose, but that doesn't mean it's easy to see which ones are best for your needs – or when to use them. Here we try to guide you through the many options, so that you can become a little smarter about when you should use which gloves.

According to the Norwegian Working Environment Authority, you must specifically use gloves in these cases:

• When your work brings you into contact with chemicals and sources of infection. The right gloves, for example, stop cancer-causing substances from coming into contact with your skin.
• If your work is wet, dusty or very dirty. Exposure to dirt and water can damage your hands. In this case, the gloves both protect your hands from drying out, as well as providing better grip when you are out doing heavy lifting.
• When working with food. Here, the use of gloves is an additional security that sends a good signal to the consumer that hygiene is in order in the company. However, it does not replace good hand hygiene.

You must of course always use gloves when, for these or other reasons, there is a requirement for them at the workplace.

Which gloves should you choose?

Gloves are available in a wide range of materials. Which ones you should choose depends on what you will be using them for.

If you work in the food industry, you must have a pair of food-approved disposable gloves in, for example, nitrile. If your work takes place outside, it is important to have a pair that protects your hands from wind and weather.

Here are some of the types of gloves you will find at the Safety Expert:

• Work gloves : These can be, for example, antistatic gloves that protect you against electrostatic discharge. Or a pair of good grip gloves that ensure you have a good grip when you have to do the heavy lifting.
• Cotton gloves : Moisture damages the hands, so if your work brings your hands into contact with water for more than 10 minutes, use cotton gloves under your regular work gloves.
• Nitrile gloves : They protect you against viruses, bacteria and most chemicals. If you work with stronger chemicals, however, you must have butyl gloves, for example.
• Food-approved gloves : If you work in the food industry, it is important that the gloves you use are approved for the purpose. These will usually be disposable gloves in nitrile or latex.

Why is it important to perform hand hygiene after using gloves?

You go a long way with a good pair of gloves when it comes to work safety. That said, there are still some things you can do to protect your hands. Firstly, gloves are not a 100% guarantee that nothing can penetrate.

There may be small holes that are invisible to the eye, and it is therefore important that you wash your hands after use and possibly wipe off alcohol. In addition, it is also a good idea to use a hand cream after washing to moisturize your hands, as this helps to prevent eczema among other things. In addition, always ensure that both your reusable gloves and your hands are clean before putting the gloves into use.

We hope you feel well equipped to protect your hands against injury.