FAQs
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Nitrile rubber is a synthetic copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene. This resilient material has good resistance to a variety of chemicals including fuels, oils, and acids, and it is able to withstand a range of temperatures from -40 to 108 °C (-40 to 226 °F). Gloves made from nitrile are often used as an alternative to natural rubber latex to reduce allergy risk, as nitrile does not contain latex proteins. In comparison to latex, nitrile is more resistant to oils and acids and has superior ...
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Nitrile gloves can be used for a multitude of tasks, from wearing while treating patients in hospital to completing messy jobs on vehicles in a garage. Gloves are available with differing levels of thickness, depending on what they are required for. Thicker gloves are best when working with harsh chemicals, while thinner gloves are ideal for those who need flexibility and dexterity while carrying out tasks. Nitrile gloves are also recommended as an alternative to latex for wearers who suffer fr...
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<p>When electrical hazards cannot be avoided by turning off the power, it is important to wear appropriate protective gloves. EN 60903 is the standard for insulating gloves for live working, and it includes various classes of protection based on the maximum voltages each glove may be safely used with.</p> <p>The glove you require will depend on the specific circumstances of use – please contact us for further information and product recommendations.</p>
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<p>Nitrile gloves have good resistance to acids and to many chemicals but it is always advisable to check their suitability before using for any of these types of applications. For improved protection it is recommended you choose an industrial grade glove over medical.</p>
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<p>Nitrile gloves are not conventionally recyclable, and should be disposed of with general waste (or with contaminated medical waste, as appropriate). The packaging for most disposable gloves is card, which is widely recycled. The packaging for reusable gloves varies by product – please consult specific product pages for information on product packaging recyclability.</p>
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<p>Yes, many nitrile powder free gloves are ideal for food handling, and as they are more resistant to oils than some other type of gloves, so should last longer. Nitrile gloves are available in bright colours and therefore are ideal for food preparation, as you can easily see any ripped or torn glove pieces in the food itself. The non-powdered kind are recommended, as there is no chance of contamination when removing gloves.</p>
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Yes, nitrile exam gloves have better chemical resistance in comparison to latex (natural rubber), which is why they are the preferred choice over their latex counterparts in this type of application. Nitrile has good resistance to gasoline, kerosene and many petroleum solvents as well as ethanol, isobutyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and methanol. However, differing thicknesses will provide varying levels of protection from splash protection (thinner disposable nitrile) to full contact protection ...
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Latex is a term which describes any polymer in a water-based liquid or viscous state, but it is commonly used to refer to products made from natural rubber (also referred to as natural rubber latex), which is typically refined from the milky sap (latex) of the Amazonian rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. The latex contains natural polymers of isoprene, which are used to produce various products, including both disposable and reusable gloves. While latex gloves feature excellent flexibility, durab...
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Vinyl is a term used to refer to the thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is one of the most widely used polymers in the world, owing to its durability and relatively low cost. PVC is manufactured from common salt and ethylene (typically derived from oil or natural gas, but ethylene may also be derived from plants such as sugar cane). Unplasticised PVC, or uPVC, is a rigid and durable material commonly used to make products such as window frames and pipes, but chemicals known as plastic...
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<p>Vinyl gloves are latex free, which makes them a preferable choice for those suffering with latex allergies.</p>
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<p>Synthetic polyisoprene (often referred to as polyisoprene or synthetic latex) is manufactured by the polymerisation of synthetic isoprene, which is derived from oil. Synthetic polyisoprene shares many of the desirable physical properties of natural rubber latex, but without the associated allergen concerns (as the raw material is synthetic, no latex proteins are present).</p>
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Latex gloves are durable, flexible, and fit closely to the hand providing good dexterity and feel – this makes them useful for both medical and PPE purposes. Examination and surgical gloves are used in medical applications for infection control and to prevent cross contamination (for both user and patient). Latex gloves are also used to provide hand protection from particulates, detergents and various other chemicals in both medical and industrial applications. Latex gloves may be tailored to s...
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<p>Latex gloves do provide a good resistance to many acids and bases; however, this is dependent on the thickness of the glove and so breakthrough performance must be checked prior to use.</p>
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<p>Latex gloves are not conventionally recyclable, and should be disposed of with general waste (or with contaminated medical waste, as appropriate). The packaging for most disposable gloves is card, which is widely recycled. The packaging for reusable gloves varies by product – please consult specific product pages for information on product packaging recyclability.</p>
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Latex gloves are commonly available in both powdered and powder-free styles. Powder helps with donning, especially when the hands are damp, however, research has shown the powder poses significant risks including increased risk of allergic reaction (the powder may carry allergenic latex proteins into the air which may be inhaled), irritation, wound inflammation and infections, and adhesion following surgery. This has led to the prohibition of powdered gloves in most medical settings in several c...
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<p>Yes, latex gloves can be used for food handling but it would be advised that powder free varieties are chosen to avoid contamination of food. Latex gloves do offer excellent flexibility and dexterity, however, because of latex allergy issues it would be recommended to use nitrile, vinyl or polyethylene gloves.</p>
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Latex allergies may differ between individuals and vary in severity. Some sufferers may experience mild reactions including itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, or an itchy rash, while others may experience severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis which constitutes a medical emergency. If you suspect a latex allergy, seek medical advice as soon as possible and discontinue use of latex products. Several alternatives to latex gloves are available, including nitrile and vinyl products. Please c...
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<p>Our gloves conform to standard hand sizes, with most products available in a wide range of sizes from XS to XXL (or 6 – 11) or beyond. Instructions for determining your hand size are included in the link below:</p> <p><a href="https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/glovesizes.htm">https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/employ/glovesizes.htm</a></p> <p>Please contact our sales team if you require any further information or advice.</p>
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Vinyl disposable gloves have a wide range of uses, particularly for lower risk applications that do not require the level of chemical or mechanical protection offered by latex or nitrile gloves, as vinyl gloves typically represent a more cost effective solution. Thicker reusable vinyl gloves are also available which offer good resistance to certain chemicals in industrial settings. Vinyl gloves are also a good alternative for users with latex allergies or sensitivities to accelerators in nitril...
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It is not recommended that you wear vinyl gloves if you may find yourself coming in contact with blood. The material has been proven to be impermeable to blood borne pathogens, including viruses. However, because the vinyl film is weaker compared to latex and nitrile it does have a higher chance of tearing during use and does not provide a close fit to the hand. Therefore, it is not advisable to use vinyl gloves in situations where there is contact with blood and that a stronger glove that fits ...
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<p>Vinyl disposable gloves are not as strong and durable as latex when it comes to puncture resistance and therefore should not be used for higher risk medical purposes or when dealing with hazardous substances. Vinyl provides a good barrier for low-risk procedures (body fluids/drainage bag, body hygiene/washing, laundry, general housekeeping) and because they are latex free and chemical accelerator free, are a good alternative for those with type I and type IV skin allergies.</p>
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Vinyl disposable gloves are waterproof and provide resistance to some chemicals including common household detergents, however, vinyl disposable gloves are not as strong or as durable as nitrile or latex gloves, so may tear during use. Nitrile or latex disposable gloves may be a more suitable option for higher risk applications. Thicker reusable vinyl gloves are also available which offer good resistance to certain chemicals in industrial applications. Please contact our sales team for further ...
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<p>Vinyl gloves are not conventionally recyclable, and should be disposed of with general waste (or with contaminated medical waste, as appropriate). The packaging for most disposable gloves is card, which is widely recycled. The packaging for reusable gloves varies by product – please consult specific product pages for information on product packaging recyclability.</p>
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<p>Vinyl gloves have been certified for contact with food however, they are not suitable for long term handling of fatty foods.</p>
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<p>The powder used in vinyl gloves, to ensure they are easy to put on and remove, is cornstarch. This ensures hands can smoothly enter gloves but some people discover they suffer irritation caused by the friction of the powder in the glove and therefore powder free varieties are more commonly opted for.</p>
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<p>Vinyl gloves should be stored in a cool, dry place and refrain from breaking the seal on the packaging until you are ready to use the gloves inside.</p>
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There are three main types of allergy associated with gloves: 1. Contact urticaria – type I This is a systemic allergic reaction to natural rubber latex proteins. Symptoms include hives, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and in severe cases anaphylaxis and hypotension. 2. Allergic contact dermatitis – type IV This is a hypersensitivity reaction and is normally localised to the skin that has been in contact with the glove. It is generally a reaction to the chemicals used in glove production a...
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Latex free gloves are the most commonly chosen alternative, allowing users to benefit from the dexterity and comfort regular disposable gloves provide but without the adverse type I allergic reactions to latex gloves. These are usually created using vinyl or nitrile materials, with nitrile proving a more popular choice as it is stronger and offers better protection against tears, punctures and a range of chemicals. Should type IV allergy to chemicals in the gloves (accelerators – for example thi...
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The EN 388 standard outlines the requirements for gloves intended to provide protection from mechanical risks, including test methods for cut resistance. There are two cut resistance test methods referenced in EN 388 – the first is the Coup cut test, which uses a circular counter-rotating blade to compare the cut resistance of a glove specimen to that of a canvas control material. The same blade is used throughout the test, so highly cut-resistant materials may blunt the blade and invalidate the...
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Surgical gloves are specially designed for use during surgical procedures. As well as providing protection against cross-contamination between healthcare providers and patients, surgical gloves are also sterilised and individually packaged to further reduce the risk of infection to the patient during surgical procedures. Compared to standard disposable examination or PPE gloves, surgical gloves are thicker and stronger and have a closer more anatomical fit to provide maximum durability, dexterit...
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<p>Surgical gloves are typically made from natural rubber latex, due to its excellent levels of flexibility and protection. However, due to concerns over potential latex allergies in healthcare providers or patients, surgical gloves are now available in alternative materials, such as synthetic polyisoprene, neoprene, or nitrile.</p>
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<p>Sterile examination gloves are identical to non-sterile examination gloves, but they are sterilised (most commonly by gamma irradiation) and individually packed and sealed to minimise the risk of patient infection in invasive procedures such as minor surgeries. Non-sterile examination gloves are used for examining patients and for procedures with a lower risk of patient infection.</p>
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<p>Around 1-6% of the general population is thought to be potentially sensitised to proteins found in natural rubber latex, although not everyone who is sensitised will develop symptoms. As part of an employer's duty of care, a risk assessment should be conducted prior to the use of latex gloves, and latex-free alternatives should be made available for those who require gloves but may have a latex allergy.</p>
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Disposable gloves are often available in both powdered and powder-free styles. In powdered gloves, cornstarch powder is added to help with donning, especially when the hands are damp. While ease of donning is desirable, research has shown that glove powder poses certain risks in medical settings, including risk of irritation, wound inflammation and infections, and adhesion following surgery. This has led to the prohibition of powdered gloves in favour of powder-free alternatives in most medical ...
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Cut-resistant gloves are PPE designed to protect the wearer’s hands from sharp objects or tools. Protection is provided through the use of cut-resistant materials in the glove’s construction, which may be tailored to provide the required level of cut resistance for specific tasks while retaining optimal comfort and dexterity. Cut-resistant gloves typically consist of a knitted textile liner incorporating reinforcements, such as high-performance synthetic fibres, steel, or glass fibre, which are ...
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Suitability for laundering is determined on a product by product basis, as products must be tested to ensure that the washing/drying process does not affect a glove’s protective performance. Please contact our sales team for specific product advice or recommendations.
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<p>Glove size for SA-07781P is Medium</p>
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