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Gauging Hand Safety
Chart courtesy of Superior Glove
Glove Gauge and Protection
Traditionally, workers relied on lower-gauge gloves for high-risk tasks involving cut and puncture hazard as they provided a thicker barrier. However, thicker gloves lack the dexterity and tactile feel to do precision work, often leading workers to remove their gloves and increase the risk of injuries. However, thanks to technological advancements in manufacturing yarn, we can now integrate high levels of mechanical protection like extreme cut resistance into thinner higher-gauge gloves.
Glove Gauge and Dexterity
Dexterity, also referred to as range of motion, is the ease at which a task can be performed. Workers will often choose to remove safety gloves because they lack the required dexterity to work efficiently and comfortably, especially when it comes to precision work.
• 18-gauge to 21-gauge (Higher-gauge gloves): More dexterous because they are thinner and lighter, so they offer more flexibility and a higher tactile feel. This makes them ideal for tasks that require fine motor skill and precision work.
• 13-gauge to 15-gauge (Medium-gauge gloves): Sit in between in terms of their thickness. They offer some more cushioning than higher-gauge gloves but more dexterity than lower-gauge gloves. This allows a happy balance between the benefits and tradeoffs of higher- and lower- gauge gloves.
• 7-gauge to 10-gauge (Lower-gauge gloves): Less dexterous because they’re thicker, so they offer less flexibility and have a lower tactile feel. This makes them a better option for heavy material handling that requires more cushioning but less dexterity.
Glove Gauge and Durability
Glove durability is commonly referred to the glove’s longevity or wear-life. Generally, lower-gauge gloves are more durable because they are thicker and there is more material to wear out. This is why, lower-gauge gloves are often the preferred option for tasks that are rough or abrasive. Glove gauge is not the only factor that impacts durability. Palm coatings can also significantly increase longevity of higher-gauge gloves that may be the deciding factor when working with tasks that also require more dexterity and precision work.
This article originally appeared in the June 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
About the Authors
Raghuvaran (Raghu) Chakkravarthy is the Safety Director for Gilbane’s Federal Division, serving clients and projects on multiple continents throughout the world.
Ian Lanpher is a hand safety expert and North American Construction Specialist for Superior Glove, which designs and manufactures safety gloves, sleeves and complementary PPE. To learn more about selecting safety gloves, visit the Superior Glove Resource Center.