Precise glove selection is essential in preventing chemical-related injuries and sustaining productivity across water utility operations. Workers can be exposed to a range of chemicals that can cause serious harm if not managed with the right protective measures.
Despite the risks, many operations still rely on general-purpose gloves for chemical handling. These gloves are often not designed to withstand chemical exposure or provide the comfort, grip, dexterity, cut and thermal resistance required for demanding utilities environments. This can leave workers open to injury and reduced handling control that can slow work down and disrupt operations.
Ansell’s AlphaTec range of chemical-resistant gloves offer protection for crews handling treatment chemicals such as chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, polymer dosing agents, or during pump station maintenance where there’s a risk of splashes. The gloves allow workers to complete tasks safely and comfortably, supporting productivity and efficiency.
The AlphaTec 58-835 features a nitrile shell barrier that offers broad-spectrum Type A chemical resistance across acids, caustics, fuels and oxidising agents.The gloves incorporate Ansell’s INTERCEPT™ cut resistance liner, which offers EN ISO Cut Level F and ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 Cut A6 protection for high-risk tasks. There is also a visible indicator on the liner that shows when the gloves have been cut, so workers can act quickly to replace them.
Higher-gauge yarns combined with increased HPPE content enhance comfort, tactile sensitivity and freedom of hand movement, allowing tasks to be performed with greater precision. Designed for extended wear in demanding environments, the AlphaTec® 58-835 meets ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 Abrasion Level 5 and EN Abrasion Level 4 requirements.
AlphaTec® 58-535B gloves feature a bonded construction. The coating polymer doesn’t penetrate the liner during the manufacturing process, which helps prevent liquid and chemical ingress. These gloves have EN ISO 374-1:2016 Type A resistance, and comply with EN 407 contact heat Level 1. The gloves also meet ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 Abrasion Level 5 and EN Abrasion Level 3 requirements, supporting durability in demanding tasks.
The lightweight 7-gauge construction of the AlphaTec® 58-535B delivers increased dexterity and flexibility for precise handling tasks. Both glove models feature ANSELL GRIP™ nitrile coating technology for a secure grip when handling wet or oily components.
Jihee Noh, Senior Specialist for Brand and Product Marketing for Ansell says,
“The AlphaTec range offers a broad selection of chemical-resistant gloves designed for different hazards and exposure types, this allows businesses to match glove performance to the specific chemicals and task requirements in their operations.”
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Choosing the right gloves goes beyond selecting a product off the shelf. Factors such as chemical type, concentration, temperature and handling method all influence the level of protection required.
Water utility operators can leverage the AnsellGUARDIAN platform for specialist help in selecting gloves.
AnsellGUARDIAN is a consultative risk assessment system. By carefully evaluating task-specific risks, AnsellGUARDIAN matches hazards with the appropriate PPE requirements to ensure effective protection.
A key component of this approach is AnsellGUARDIAN Chemical, a specialised toolkit that combines expert knowledge with a database of more than 50,000 chemicals.
This system analyses the unique needs of individual operations and provides data-driven recommendations for glove selection based on real-world chemical exposure scenarios. The result is a more precise, reliable approach to chemical safety.
As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. Talk to a Blackwoods Technical Safety Specialist to learn more about using the AnsellGUARDIAN l platform to identify the most suitable gloves to improve safety and operational performance across your workforce.
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