Page 28 - OHS, November/December 2020

PPE: HAND PROTECTION
Why Are My Hands Always Cold?
Your guide to choosing the best winter work gloves.
BY AARON SKEMP
Breathable Gloves
Look for gloves with a waterproof, breathable liner. This material has tiny pores that prevent water droplets from permeating the membrane while still letting vapor escape. When you’re working up a sweat, vapors wick from your hands and push to the outside of the glove to evaporate. More often than not, people claiming their waterproof gloves don’t work are having an issue with the cooling of their own sweat, not water seeping in from the outside.
Gloves with a waterproof finish on the outer shell will also keep your hands dry and happy. A DWR (durable water repellent) is added to the fabric, causing water to roll right off the glove. DWR finishes are commonly used in conjunction with breathable waterproof fabrics to prevent the outer layer from becoming saturated with water—a process known as “wetting out.” DWR finish is breathable enough to shed water while still letting moisture escape the outer layer of the glove.
Insulated Gloves
People tend to think more is better, so gloves with more or heavier insulation must be higher quality. More in this case, however, can be counterproductive. Gloves with too much insulation for the weather conditions will cause your hands to sweat enough that even the best gloves will have trouble wicking it away. This is why it’s crucial to choose the right level of insulation for both the current task at hand and weather conditions.
Synthetic insulation is rated in grams—60 grams (g) means a 1 meter by 1 meter piece weighs that much. The heavier the weight, the warmer the insulation. A higher GSM (grams per square meter) means the gloves will keep your hands warmer, but you will lose hand movement and dexterity because the fabric is thicker.
■ 40 to 100 grams for the average winter day above 20 degrees
■ 100 to 200 grams for cold days below 20 degrees
■ 200 to 400 grams for sub-zero Arctic conditions
While there are general gram per temperature recommendations, warmth is still incredibly dependent on activity level of the task at hand (no pun intended)—more on that later.
Dual-zone insulated gloves put heavier-weight insulation in strategic locations, striking a nice balance to deliver warmth where you need it most. They also maximize dexterity, enabling movement that is both comfortable and natural—no more
How many shifts have ended with your hands feeling cold, wet and numb because your winter work gloves couldn’t do what they’re literally made to do? Well, and bear with us
here, what if we told you it’s not always the gloves’ fault? Many factors affect the performance of a thermal glove. We’ll take a look at common issues that alter performance and what to look for when buying thermal work gloves to keep your mitts warm
and comfortable until it’s time to punch out.
Waterproof Gloves
Water is a big problem when working in the cold. This is likely the primary reason your thermal gloves are uncomfortable. Moisture actively draws heat away from your body, so if your hands are wet, they’re going to feel pretty cold. Many thermal gloves claim to be waterproof and they probably are, but that doesn’t mean they do it well. Some gloves are made with a “waterproof ” layer of plastic that keeps water out but doesn’t allow moisture to evaporate. To be most effective, waterproofing needs to block water while simultaneously letting moisture from your hands escape.
22 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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