As soon as your disposable gloves have a puncture or tear, they are not going to do the job they are designed to do. Their job is to protect you from contamination, infection, or unhygienic situations.
You must put on gloves properly, so they don't tear. If they do tear or puncture, you will need to throw the damaged gloves out and wear new ones. This can get quite expensive very fast if every employee in your organization is careless about glove handling.
Buying puncture-resistant gloves is an option as well. Keep reading to find out more about disposable glove safety.
Put on Gloves Without Tearing Them
The easiest way to avoid tearing or puncturing gloves is by putting them on with care. Always remove all jewelry before putting on gloves, especially diamond rings, as they can tear through gloves like a hot knife through butter.
Also, don't keep your fingernails long if you work at a job that requires you to wear gloves regularly. Trim your nails short.
Always put on gloves slowly and carefully, without rushing through the process. Don't flex your fingers too much until they are inside the designated holes. Make sure you are wearing the right-sized gloves for your hands.
When adjusting the gloves to fit them better to your hand, do it gently, so you don't end up tearing or puncturing the gloves in the process.
Difference Between Tear- and Puncture-Resistant
Puncture-resistant gloves are essentially safety gloves that are meant to protect your hands from punctures from sharp items like needles. For example, if you work in a tattoo parlor, you will want to wear puncture-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the sharp needles you use.
If you work at a job that requires you to be quite dextrous and needs a level of precision as well, latex gloves are the best option for a snug fit and puncture resistance.
Nitrile gloves are generally more tear and puncture resistant. They do not have the same level of tactility that latex gloves do, however. Nitrile is a synthetic material designed to be more durable than natural rubber latex.
Why It’s So Crucial to Keep Gloves Tear and Puncture Free
Wearing gloves that are tear and puncture-free helps ensure that your hands don't come into contact with dangerous items that could cause you harm. For example, as a doctor, you wear exam grade gloves to protect yourself from bacteria and germs on your patients.
Once a pair of gloves has a tear or even a tiny puncture in them, you are vulnerable to everything in your environment. Your skin is in contact with them and there's nothing protecting you or acting as a barrier anymore.
Purchase Puncture-Resistant Gloves to Protect Your Staff
No matter how much you encourage your staff to be careful when putting on gloves, they might end up tearing them, especially if they are in a hurry. Sometimes they might notice the tear and then put on fresh gloves.
Other times, they might not, and that could put their lives in danger. That's why it's important to do what you can to protect them. One way to do this is by purchasing puncture-resistant gloves for your organization. Check out our catalog of latex, nitrile, vinyl, and other gloves to find the one that best suits you.