Page 34 - OHS, April/May 2023

PPE: HAND PROTECTION The Latest in Adaptive Grip Technology for Coated Work Gloves New technology in hand protection can help workers avoid needing to switch gloves for different tasks. BY JOHN HENIFF With most jobs, workers aren’t just performing one task with better durability and without sacrificing dexterity, making it possible to handle small parts, rough materials and even wet or for their entire shift; they’re doing a variety of things oily chains and pipes throughout their shift in a comfortable and with different materials in different environments. Although this is just a normal part of the workday, light cut-resistant glove. This new glove-coating technology stands out in four ways. it can put workers at risk if they try to do it all in the same glove. A 1. Grip. Special stabilizers in the palm coating enhance grip glove coating made for dry environments might not be as effective for maintaining a strong grip on oily parts. Coatings that provide performance by actually reading and adapting to your workers’ environment. The coating technology adjusts as workers handle a solid oil grip might not give your workers the tactile sensitivity objects that are dry or wet, rough or slick or light or heavy. This they need for precision handling. A coating that’s effective in a slick environment might break down after repeated use on rough and means your team members can work on all their tasks with a single pair of gloves instead of replacing them throughout the day abrasive materials. with pairs that contain different coatings as the job needs change. These limitations can cause busy workers to wear the wrong gloves or even take them off entirely if they don’t help get the job 2. Dexterity. Even with this adaptable grip, the palm coating done. With so many workers performing any number of tasks during allows your workers to comfortably accomplish any task. That’s the day, it can be a herculean effort to make sure everyone is using the because the coating’s engineered dexterity lets the glove flex correct glove and coating for a particular job. So how can you make naturally with your workers’ hands so they’re less prone to hand fatigue and the compliance problems that go with it. sure everyone on your team is using the correct glove and coating? 3. Durability. This technology also leads the pack in terms of abrasion resistance. Abrasion tests showed the coating achieved New Technology in Palm Coatings over 50 percent more abrasion resistance compared to other popular PPE manufacturers heard the complaints of safety managers and created an adaptive palm coating technology designed to keep palm coatings like foam nitrile and sandy nitrile. These abrasion tests workers productive in different work environments without are conducted using a sample of the palm placed on a rotating disc that undergoes constant friction from weighted, rotating wheels. sacrificing performance or comfort. This new coating enhances workers’ natural grip power, hand movement and flexibility, all Popular durable palm coatings commonly last between 3,000 and 34 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL/MAY 2023 www.ohsonline.com anatoliy_gleb/Shutterstock.com