Why the right glove is tailored to the task at hand

Ensuring gloves are fit for purpose is crucial to preventing hand injuries and keeping gas and water utility teams compliant and productive. Australia’s utilities sector operates in some of the country’s most unpredictable and high-risk environments. Workers face a range of hazards as they install and maintain the critical infrastructure that keeps the nation running.

These include cut risks from sharp edges on pipes, valves, mains and fittings, abrasion risks during excavation, reinstatement and asset handling and impact hazards from hand tools, clamps and hydrant work. Working in the field introduces the additional risks of debris and rubbish, and the potential for needle stick and other incidents.

Selecting the right gloves for these workers means matching the level of cut, impact, abrasion and puncture protection to the task at hand, striking a balance between protection, comfort and ease of use.

Ensuring the proper fit.

Rasmus Boedker, Product Manager - Hand Protection at uvex, says the key is to match the glove to the task, the level of risk and the environment, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

“Every task comes with its own unique set of risks, which need to be assessed when choosing the right glove for the job,” Boedker says. “When protection can come at the expense of dexterity, going to extremes can be counter-productive – especially if workers are tempted to take them off. For example, Cut Level F gloves offer the highest cut protection but can be more restrictive, so they’re not always the best choice. Gloves must be selected and optimised to suit the specific task.”

Once gloves are mapped to the hazard, activity and work environment, they can be tested and standardised across teams.

Gloves designed for gas and water utility workers.

uvex offers a range of durable HexArmor gloves that are designed to balance high protection with grip, dexterity and comfort for utility workers. Selected styles in the range incorporate SuperFabric technology, which helps overcome the limitations of traditional bulky protective materials. It relies on hexagon plates to deflect hazards – maximising safety, without compromising a worker’s ability to do the job efficiently.

SharpsMaster II® 9014 gloves offer protection for workers dealing with rubbish in ditches and around roadside infrastructure. PointGuard® Ultra 9032 gloves are made for workers facing the risk of puncture injuries in wastewater, sewer and stormwater tasks. These gloves offer level 5 needlestick and puncture resistance, along with cut F protection.

The SharpsMaster II® 9014 is made in a lightweight cotton blend knit to maximise comfort, with a wrinkle rubber palm for enhanced grip. The PointGuard® Ultra 9032 is constructed in a 15-guage hi-vis polyester with a sandy nitrile three-quarter knuckle palm coating to provide grip and abrasion resistance in wet conditions.

Chrome 4026 gloves offer high-impact protection and cut F protection, perfect for valve work, excavation support, trench operations and heavy mechanical maintenance. It has a synthetic leather palm with a PVC dot pattern for a secure, oil-resistant grip. The 4027 model offers TP-X palm technology which provides high abrasion resistance.

The Rig Lizard series features a sewn-on IR-X Impact Exoskeleton with high-flex design for optimum back-of-hand impact resistance, with cut and puncture resistance on the palm. A PU palm coating provides grip and abrasion resistance. Lightweight with high cut resistance, the Helix series is ideal for routine inspections, pump maintenance and meter work. A breathable, second-skin feel enhances dexterity for precision work.

“The perfect protective glove is a marriage of form and function, which is why it’s so important to do your due diligence when matching gloves to work sites and tasks,” Boedker says.“The best gloves in the world can’t protect workers if they keep taking them off because they get in the way.”

Available at Blackwoods - Your utilities solutions partner.

 As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. Make sure your workers have the right hand protection for the job. Talk to your Blackwoods technical safety specialist for advice on selecting HexArmor gloves from uvex. 

uvex HexArmor PointGuard® Ultra 9032 Puncture Resistant Gloves

uvex HexArmor Rig Lizard 2021X Impact Protection Gloves

uvex HexArmor Helix 3014 Cut F Grey/ High-vis Yellow Impact Gloves

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