Glove Selection Guide
Guidance for University
Departments and Functions
December 2001
Safety Services Office
GLOVES AS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ................................................................ 1
FIRST STEPS IN GLOVE SELECTION ............................................................................................ 1
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE ................................................................................................................. 2
DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................. 2
GLOVE MATERIALS ................................................................................................................ 3
GLOVE SELECTION CHARTS .............................................................................................. 4
EXAMPLE OF A GLOVE SELECTION (CHEMICAL RESISTANCE) CHART) .... 7
USE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES ........................................................................................................ 8
CORRECT USE OF GLOVES ............................................................................................................. 9
SUMMARY: GENERAL RULES FOR HAND PROTECTION ..................................................... 11
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Gloves as Personal Protective Equipment
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992 require that:
“Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is
provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety
while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately
controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.”
PPE is always the “last resort” in a hierarchy of control measures, i.e. engineering
controls and safe systems of work should always be considered first. It may be
possible to do the job by another method which does not require the use of PPE. In
some circumstances PPE such as gloves will still be required to control the risk
adequately and the PPE at Work Regulations will then take effect.
First steps in glove selection
It is important to establish the exact purpose of a protective glove in any given
situation.
1) Is a glove needed at all?
 Prolonged wear can lead to a weakening of the barrier properties of the skin
because of occlusion.
2) Is a glove needed just to keep the hands clean?
 If the hazard is minor, e.g. cleaning up dusty or greasy rubbish, a fabric work
glove can be more suitable than a rubber glove.
3) Is it for protection against heat, cold, abrasion or cuts?
 “general purpose” rubber gloves are not suitable for these situations –
specialised gloves are needed. Select from a good safety supplies catalogue.
4) Is it for protection against chemicals?
a) Protection against incidental contact (i.e. against small splashes) – a
disposable glove may suffice, nitrile being a good choice for most
applications.
b) Protection against sustained contact or immersion – thin disposable gloves are
not suitable. Consult a manufacturer’s chemical resistance chart to select the
correct glove material – see “Chemical resistance” below.
5) Is it for protection against blood-borne viruses?
 For handling blood and body fluids, a latex or nitrile glove will be suitable.
6) Is it for protection against laboratory animal allergens?
 For handling live animals or normal animal tissues, latex or nitrile gloves will
be suitable
 For handling animals when administering compounds use gloves appropriate
for the chemical (see next section, and the list on page 6.)
1
Chemical resistance
DEFINITIONS
Permeation rate is the rate at which the chemical will move through the material. It
is measured in a laboratory and is expressed in units such as milligrams per square
meter per second, or some other [weight of chemical] per [unit area of material] per
[unit of time]. The higher the permeation rate, the faster the chemical will move
through the material. The process of permeation continues even when the glove is no
longer in contact with the chemical.
Users should be aware that when a glove has been in contact with a chemical, the
glove will to some extent be infiltrated with the chemical due to permeation.
Permeation is different from penetration. Penetration occurs when the chemical leaks
through seams, pinholes and other imperfections in the material: permeation occurs
when the chemical diffuses or travels through intact material.
Breakthrough time is the time it takes a chemical to permeate completely through
the material. It is determined by applying the chemical on the glove exterior and
measuring the time it takes to detect the chemical on the inside surface. The
sensitivity of the analytical instruments used in these measurements influence when a
chemical is first detected. The breakthrough time gives some indication of how long a
glove can be used before the chemical will permeate through the material.
Breakthrough time is the key parameter recognised by the current European standard
for protective gloves (BSEN 374-1: 1994.) American standard tests use permeation
rate test data, but European standards do not. The European standard defines the
following protection classes for gloves:
Measured breakthrough time
(minutes)
Protection Index
>10
>30
>60
>120
>240
>480
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6
Degradation is a measurement of the physical deterioration of the material due to
contact with a chemical. The material may get harder, stiffer, more brittle, softer,
weaker or may swell. The worst example is that the material may actually dissolve in
the chemical.
2
GLOVE MATERIALS
Selection of glove materials should be based on quantitative information such as
permeation rate, breakthrough time, penetration and degradation, and the other
considerations mentioned above. Various factors like the thickness of the material,
manufacturing methods, and product quality control can have a significant effect on
these properties.
For a few specific situations when it is impossible to predict the variety of hazards,
multi-laminate gloves made of layers of several different materials are available.
Some of the more common glove materials are:
butyl - a synthetic rubber with good resistance to weathering and a wide variety of
chemicals.
latex (natural rubber) - a highly flexible and conforming material made from a
liquid tapped from rubber plants. Also referred to as NRL.
neoprene - a synthetic rubber having chemical and wear-resistance properties
superior to those of natural rubber.
nitrile - a copolymer available in a wide range of acrylonitrile (propane nitrile)
content; chemical resistance and stiffness increase with higher acrylonitrile content.
Also called NBR or HNBR.
polyethylene - a fairly chemical-resistant material used as a freestanding film or a
fabric coating.
polyvinyl alcohol - a water-soluble polymer that exhibits exceptional resistance to
many organic solvents that rapidly permeate most rubbers. Not to be used with
aqueous solutions.
polyvinyl chloride - a stiff polymer that is made softer and more suitable for
protective clothing applications by the addition of plasticizers. Also called vinyl or
PVC.
polyurethane - an abrasion-resistant rubber that is either coated onto fabrics or
formed into gloves or boots.
Viton® - a registered trademark of DuPont, it is a highly chemical-resistant but
expensive synthetic elastomer.
For a given thickness, the type of polymer selected has the greatest influence on the
level of chemical protection. For a given polymer an increase in thickness will result
in a higher level of protection. A rule of thumb is that double the thickness will
quadruple the breakthrough time.
The manufacturing process of glove making may result in slight variations in
performance. The user is warned to exercise care and to check the glove regularly for
breakthrough and diminished physical performance.
The selection of the proper chemical-resistant glove begins with an evaluation of the
task to be undertaken. Factors that influence this selection are:




the type of chemicals to be handled;
frequency and duration of chemical contact – longer exposure time will
shorten the breakthrough time;
nature of contact (total immersion or splash only);
concentration of chemicals;
3











temperature of chemicals – higher temperature will shorten the breakthrough
time;
abrasion-resistance requirements;
puncture-, snag-, tear-, and cut-resistance requirements;
length of hand and arm to be protected (hand only, forearm etc.);
dexterity requirements - this need may significantly limit the thickness of
glove material that can be used;
grip requirements (dry grip, wet grip, oily) - the requirement for textured or
non-slip surfaces to improve grip must be considered;
cuff edge (plain, knit wrist, gauntlet);
colour requirements (to show contamination);
thermal protection;
size and comfort requirements;
price.
Combination Hazard
For mixtures and formulated products, the glove should be selected for maximum
protection against the chemical component with the shortest breakthrough time
(unless specific test data are available). Care should be taken to select a glove material
that is compatible with all the components.
Do not wear latex gloves if you have or think you are susceptible to a latex
allergy. Any indication of possible latex allergy must be reported to the Head of
Department and the Safety Services Office (see ref. 16.)
GLOVE SELECTION CHARTS
Gloves of various types are available from many different manufacturers and
distributors. For non-incidental contact, start with selection charts provided by glove
manufacturers. However, note that:
 Different manufacturers use different formulations and manufacturing processes,
and a glove from one company may not have the same chemical resistance as a
similar glove from another company.
 Glove selection based on the manufacturers' glove selection charts is often
impossible, as only a limited range of chemicals have been tested for use with a
specific manufacturer's glove. In particular, many research grade chemicals have
not been tested by the various glove manufacturers. If in doubt contact the
manufacturers of the chemical and the glove for advice.
Physical performance may be a more critical factor in some cases than chemical
resistance. If a job application involves handling heavy, rough, or sharp objects then
the glove must have high resistance to abrasion, cuts, snags, etc. A hole in a glove can
provide much greater chemical exposure potential than molecular permeation.
The thicker the glove material the greater the chemical resistance. But thick gloves
can impair grip, dexterity, and safety. Consider sensitivity and the ability to grip as
very important factors.
The proper glove design and fit contribute to comfort, productivity, and safety.
Curved-finger glove design fits the natural hand contour for working comfort. Gloves
that are too small bind and cause undue hand fatigue. However, gloves that are too
4
large are uncomfortable, hard to work in and can be dangerous if they get caught up in
work equipment.
The phrase sometimes found on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) “Wear
impervious (or impermeable) gloves” is technically inaccurate. No glove material
remains impervious to a specific chemical indefinitely and no one glove material is
resistant to all chemicals. Some chemicals will travel through or permeate the glove in
a few seconds, while other chemicals may take days or weeks. Information specifying
the best type of chemical protective material should be on the MSDS (e.g. neoprene,
butyl rubber). If this information is missing, contact the supplier or manufacturer of
the product. Contact the glove manufacturer if you have specific questions about their
gloves.
A professor in the USA died in 1997 from exposure to dimethylmercury, which
penetrated her latex gloves.
A researcher at Darmouth died in June of 1997 from acute mercury poisoning. Her
exposure was the result of approximately one-half of a milliliter of dimethyl mercury
falling on her hand during an experiment. Although she was wearing latex gloves and
replaced them soon after the exposure, within several months she had developed
mercury poisoning. The reason for her exposure was that dimethyl mercury easily
permeates latex gloves. She and many of her colleagues around the world were totally
unaware of this property of dimethyl mercury although they frequently use it.
(quoted from http://www.ehs.washington.edu/updates/tipsGloves.htm)
The type of chemical used is the most important factor for selecting gloves to protect
against chemical exposure, especially for highly toxic chemicals. Select the glove
with the highest chemical resistance rating and other glove properties that best address
your application. For highly toxic chemicals, the use of an inner and outer glove may
be necessary. For example, a highly resistant laminated glove should be worn under a
pair of long-cuffed, unsupported neoprene, nitrile, or similar heavy-duty gloves when
highly toxic chemicals are being handled.
There are many resources available to assist in selecting the proper glove for your
application (see references.) An example of a simple glove selection chart is
reproduced below. Such tables should be used as a starting point for proper
selection of glove material, but not used alone. These charts have their limitations:
 it is often not possible to tell what thickness of glove is being referred to
 it is often not possible to tell on what basis judgements such as “good” or
“poor” are being made (breakthrough time, permeation rate?)
 conflicting advice will sometimes be found
 there is sometimes no indication of the quantitative data on which semiquantitative statements are based (what is the cut-off between “good” and
“fair”?)
 unless specifically stated, charts giving breakthrough times or permeation rates
do not refer to thin disposable gloves.
Reliable information is best obtained by finding data for the specific glove in question
– this information is usually only obtainable from the supplier or manufacturer. This
is sometimes available on manufacturers’ Web sites, e.g. Ansell, and sometimes as
5
printed tables e.g. Marigold Industrial. (See References for both.) The type of
information and level of detail given by manufacturers varies – Marigold Industrial,
for example, provide a detailed table showing breakthrough time, permeation rate and
degradation time.
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EXAMPLE OF A GLOVE SELECTION (CHEMICAL RESISTANCE) CHART
Source – Denison University, USA
(E = Excellent. G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor)
Chemical
Acetaldehyde
Acetic Acid
Acetone
Acrylonitrile
Ammonium hydroxide (conc.)
Aniline
Benzaldehyde
Benzene
Benzyl Chloride (a)
Bromine
Butane
Butyraldehyde
Calcium hypochlorite
Carbon disulfide
Carbon tetrachloride
Chlorine
Chloroacetone
Chloroform (a)
Chromic acid
Cyclohexane
Dibenzyl ether
Dibutyl phthalate
Diethanolamine
Diethyl ether
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (b)
Ethyl acetate
Ethylene dichloride (a)
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene trichloride (a)
Fluorine
Formaldehyde
Formic acid
Glycerol
Hexane
Hydrobromic acid (40%)
Hydrochloric acid (conc.)
Hydrofluoric acid (30%)
Hydrogen peroxide
Iodine
Methylamine
Methyl cellosolve
Methyl chloride (a)
Methylene chloride (a)
Methyl ethyl ketone
Monoethanolamine
Morpholine
Naphthalene (a)
Nitric acid (conc.)
Perchloric acid
Phenol
Phosphoric acid
Potassium hydroxide (sat.)
Propylene dichloride
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hypochlorite
Sulfuric acid (conc.)
Toluene (a)
Trichloroethylene (a)
Tricresyl phosphate
Triethanolamine
Trinitrotoluene
Natural Rubber
Neoprene
Nitrile
Vinyl
G
E
G
P
G
F
F
P
F
G
P
P
P
P
P
G
F
P
P
F
F
F
F
F
F
P
G
P
G
G
G
G
P
G
G
G
G
G
G
F
P
F
F
F
F
G
P
F
G
G
G
P
G
G
G
P
P
P
F
P
G
E
G
G
E
G
F
F
P
G
E
G
G
P
F
G
E
F
F
E
G
G
E
G
G
F
G
P
G
E
E
G
E
E
G
G
G
G
G
E
E
F
G
E
E
G
P
G
E
E
G
F
G
P
G
F
F
F
E
E
E
E
G
E
E
E
G
G
G
G
G
G
F
E
G
G
E
E
E
E
G
G
G
E
G
G
E
P
F
G
G
F
F
G
G
E
-
G
E
F
F
E
F
G
F
P
G
P
G
G
F
F
G
P
P
E
P
P
P
E
P
F
P
E
P
G
E
E
E
P
E
E
E
E
G
E
P
P
F
P
E
E
G
G
E
E
E
E
P
E
G
G
F
F
F
E
P
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(a) Aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons will attack all types of natural and synthetic glove
material. Should swelling occur, the user should change to fresh gloves and allow the swollen
gloves to dry and return to normal.
(b) No data on the resistance to dimethyl sulfoxide of natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber,
or vinyl materials are available; the manufacturer of the substance recommends the use of
butyl rubber gloves.
The table was taken from Prudent Practices for Handling Chemicals in Laboratories, National
Research Council, National Academy Press Washington, D.C., P. 159-160 (1981)
Use of disposable gloves
Disposable versus Re-usable Gloves
The first task is to decide if single use, surgical or examination type gloves will
provide adequate protection. Reusable gloves are necessary wherever there is heavy
contact with chemicals, immersion in chemicals or potential for contact with
extremely hazardous chemicals. Disposable gloves can provide protection only
against splashes and incidental chemical contact. Disposable gloves do not provide
the same degree of chemical protection as reusable gloves. Disposable latex and
nitrile gloves are the most common gloves used in research laboratories. Standard
latex examination gloves are cheap and do provide protection for biological and minor
chemical hazards. However, they are not recommended for protection from chemicals
and are generally not listed in chemical glove selection guides. While disposable
nitrile gloves are slightly more expensive than latex, glove selection data can be found
for some of them, and they are more suitable for general lab use.
Note that the performance levels defined by BSEN 374, as described above under
“definitions, may not be assigned to some disposable gloves, which are classified as
being “For minimal risks only”.
Again it must be remembered that gloves are the last line of defence against chemicals
and must therefore be used as “last resort” protection, after other control measures
have been applied where possible.
Gloves for incidental and extended contact
"incidental contact" - none, or very little, actual contact with a chemical in use is
anticipated.
 Disposable gloves can be used for incidental contact, as long as no very hazardous
chemicals are being used.
 The gloves are there to prevent chemical contact with the skin when something
goes wrong--a spill or splash to the hand, over spray from a dispensing device, etc.
 As soon as practicable after the chemical makes contact with the gloved hand the
gloves must be removed and replaced.
"extended contact" - the gloved hands come into substantial contact with or actually
may become covered with or immersed in the chemical in use.
8

Generally, a glove specified for incidental contact is not suitable for extended
contact and a more substantial glove will be required.
Latex gloves
Latex disposable gloves offer no worthwhile protection against many commonly
used chemicals. They will severely degrade, often in a matter of seconds or minutes,
when used with some chemicals (e.g. turpentine.)

The use of disposable latex gloves is only appropriate for:

Most biological materials including laboratory animal allergens

Non-hazardous chemicals

Very dilute, aqueous solutions of hazardous chemicals: Less than
1% for most hazardous chemicals or less than 0.1% if a known
or suspect human carcinogen is in use in aqueous solution.

Clean work area requirements

Medical, veterinary and animal husbandry applications.

An estimated 8-12% of the population are allergic to latex products.

Staff required to wear latex gloves should receive training on the potential health
effects related to latex.

If latex is required, hypo-allergenic, non-powdered gloves should be used.
Nitrile gloves

In all cases single use, surgical or examination type nitrile gloves can be
substituted for latex gloves.

Nitrile gloves are more durable and provide a clearer indication when they tear or
break.

Nitrile gloves also offer a better set of chemical resistances and are less allergenic.
Correct use of gloves
INSPECTION:
 All gloves should be inspected before use for indications of degradation (swelling,
cracking, shrinking, or discoloration) and any signs of cuts, splits or punctures. A
damaged glove should be immediately disposed of.
 Change gloves frequently, especially thin disposable gloves that have been
exposed to chemicals.
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
If chemicals are known or suspected to have reached the inside of a glove, either
by penetration or permeation, the glove must be removed and discarded as soon as
possible.
CLEANING:
 Thicker reusable gloves should be rinsed after use to prolong their life and prevent
the spread of chemical contamination from the dirty glove.
 Cleaning and re-use of disposable gloves is not recommended.
REMOVAL:
 Remove gloves before leaving the immediate work site to prevent contamination
of door knobs, light switches, telephones, etc.
 When removing gloves, pull the cuff over your hand and turn the glove inside-out.
 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap (or soapless hand cleanser) and water after
wearing gloves.
TRAINING:
Staff training should include consideration of:
 what are the hazards of skin contact with the chemical?
 what are limitations of the gloves?
 what could happen and what to do if the gloves fail?
 when to dispose of or to decontaminate gloves.
RE-USE OF GLOVES USED WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
Glove decontamination and reuse are controversial and unresolved issues. Often,
surface contamination can be removed by scrubbing with soap and water; at other
times, as in the case of emulsifiable concentrates, it may be practically impossible.
The solvents in many emulsifable concentrates prompt this concern. Volatile solvents
such as toluene and xylene readily penetrate many polymers and the non-volatile
solvents, such as alkylated napthalenes and petroleum oil, are very difficult to remove
from the glove material.
Once absorbed, some chemicals will continue to diffuse through the material toward
the inside even after the surface has been decontaminated. For highly chemical
resistant gloves, the amount reaching the inside may be insignificant, but for
moderately performing materials, significant amounts of chemicals can reach the
inside. This may not occur during use, but while the glove is stored overnight. The
next morning, when the worker dons the glove, he may be putting his hand into direct
contact with a hazardous chemical. In addition to the chemical resistance of the glove
material, the amount of chemical reaching the inner surface can be affected by the
duration of exposure, duration of storage, the surface area exposed and the
temperature.
The decision to reuse the gloves requires consideration of these factors as well as the
toxicity of the chemical(s). Unless extreme care is exercised to ensure
decontamination, the reuse of gloves that have been contaminated with a toxic
chemical is not advisable. For this reason, the disposal of gloves on a regular and
frequent basis is advisable.
10
Summary: General rules for hand protection
1. Protective gloves shall be worn where there is a likelihood of skin contact with
irritant or corrosive chemicals, or with chemicals that can be absorbed through
the skin.
2. Protective gloves that provide protection against cuts and abrasions shall be
worn when handling sharp, rough or abrasive objects.
3. Gloves that provide thermal insulation shall be worn when hot or very cold
objects must be handled.
4. Gloves should be selected on the basis of the materials being handled, the
physical conditions that exist, and the requirements of the tasks to be
performed.
5. Before each use, chemical resistant gloves shall be inspected for punctures,
tears or other signs of degradation and new gloves used if these conditions are
found. Disposable gloves must not be re-used if they have been in contact with
hazardous chemicals.
6. Gloves, other than single use types, should be decontaminated by rinsing or
washing before removal.
7. Special gloves are manufactured for use by electricians, welders and others. It
is the responsibility of the supervisor to determine whether such specialised
hand protection is needed and to make sure that it is readily available when
needed.
8. Choose gloves of good quality – the cheapest gloves are unlikely to have
undergone stringent quality control procedures during production. The gloves
should be CE marked.
9. Do not use oil-based hand creams, such as barrier creams, when wearing
rubber or plastic gloves.
10. Wash hands after removing gloves, and apply hand cream if desired.
11. Gloves should be removed when picking up a telephone or using
equipment that other people touch bare-handed. Like all personal
protective equipment gloves should be removed before leaving the hazard
area.
12. Gloves should not be used where there is a danger of the glove becoming
caught in moving machinery or materials.
13. Sleeves must be worn outside glove gauntlets when caustic substances are
being poured.
Note also:
All glove materials are permeable to some extent. No one material serves as a
barrier to all chemicals. A suitable glove is one that has an acceptably low
11
breakthrough time for the chemical being used under the circumstances of use.
Breakthrough time is generally inversely related to glove thickness.
Thin cotton gloves worn under rubber gloves improve comfort by absorbing
perspiration during prolonged use. They also reduce chances for skin absorption by
separating the glove surface and the skin. However, if the cotton lining contacts a
hazardous material, it can act as a wick and soak up the hazardous material.
References
1. Ansell Protective Products (manufacturer) – information on protective gloves,
article on latex and chemical allergy, glove selection guidance
http://www.ansell.be/ (from “Online Chemical Application & Recommendation
Guide” from the menu on the left of the screen, click on “EN”.)
2. Marigold Industrial (manufacturer) http://www.marigoldindustrial.com/
3. Kimberley-Clark Skin Wellness Institute http://www.kcskinhealth.com/
4. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety: glove selection guidance
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/gloves.html
5. EnviroDerm Services – articles and reports on skin protection
http://www.enviroderm.co.uk/
6. HSE leaflet on Personal Protective Equipment
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ppe92a.htm
7. Edinburgh University Occupational Hygiene Unit’s glove guide
http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/resources/occ_hygiene/gnote_2.html
Chemical resistance charts:
8. Florida State University: chemical resistance chart – a good basic chart
http://www.safety.fsu.edu/chp.html - appendix6
9. University of Oxford glove guide – very useful information on selection by glove
material and by chemical
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~phar0036/biomedsafety/labsafety/ppe/gloves/ppegloves.html
10. US Department of Energy glove guide
Glove Selection Material Chart (OSH-DOE)
11. Safeskin guide – chemical compatibility of latex and nitrile disposable gloves
http://www.inform.umd.edu/CampusInfo/Departments/EnvirSafety/ls/safeskin.html
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Available from the Safety Services Office:
12. Marigold Industrial chemical resistance chart and glove selection guide.
13. Video– Managing Latex Reactions and Sensitivities.
14. PowerPoint Presentation on CD-ROM: Managing Latex Reactions and
Sensitivities.
15. Cost and Effectiveness of Chemical Protective Gloves for the Workplace (HSG
206). HSE, 2001
16. Policy and Code of Practice for the Prevention of Latex Allergy (University of
Leicester).
17. Personal Protective Equipment (University of Leicester.) (in preparation)
18. Latex Allergy – information document (University of Leicester.) (in preparation)
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