Temperature resistant gloves are designed to protect the hand when undertaking work in extreme outdoor conditions or when working within heated environments such as foundries or cold environments such as freezers.
Heat resistant gloves are made from a range of materials including; leather, kevlar, nitrile coating, silicate, heavy duty cotton and come with wool, felt or other linings. Arm sleeves are also available to be worn over the upper and lower arm for further protection. In the most extreme situations some heated gloves can handle exposure temperatures up to 2000 degrees Farenheight on a short term basis.
To achieve temperature resistance to heat, these gloves are often thick and bulky as they are usually lined, which then affects dexterity capacity of the hands. Suitable gloves will need to be sourced for the required level of temperature resistance and also the dexterity required for completing the task. Length of coverage of the hand and forearm also need to be considered along with the type of cuff (safety or knitted).
Cold resistant gloves are generally made from cotton, wool, thermal materials such as thinsulate, latex or PVC coated thermal gloves. Linings for these gloves are also made from a range of materials and may be removable and washable. Some gloves are thin enough to be worn under standard gloves as a form of liner or may be fingerless to allow for extra dexterity.
The relevant Australian Standard to consider when choosing gloves for the workplace is AS/NZS 2161: 2000 Occupational protective gloves.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people who work in environments where they are exposed to extremes of temperature, the use of appropriate protective gloves is essential. For those with conditions resulting in difficulty controlling body temperature, the use of appropriate gloves may assist with temperature regulation at work.
Due to skin sensitivities, glove materials, sizing and design may need to be considered prior to purchase. The use of cotton gloves to line specialised gloves can also prevent any skin reaction.
When considering protective equipment in the workplace, the following resources may be useful:
References
ABC Safety Glasses 2006, High Temperature Heat Resistant Gloves, ABC Safety Glasses, Texas, viewed 16 February 2011, http://www.abcsafetyglasses.com/hiteregl.html.
ABC Safety Glasses 2006, Cotton Gloves, ABC Safety Glasses, Texas, viewed 16 February 2011, http://www.abcsafetyglasses.com/cotton-gloves.html.
Thermalshop 2009, Gloves, Thermalshop, online, viewed 16 February 2011, http://www.thermalshop.co.uk/gloves-c-38.html.
Standards Australia 2000, AS 2161, Occupational protective gloves, Standards Australia, Sydney.