5 Key Industries That Must Use Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves – nitrile, vinyl, latex and more – are an indispensable part of on-the-job protection in many industries. From protecting employees from a range of cleaning detergents in professional cleaning to complying with food contact safety standards in the food industry to guarding against chemicals in laboratories or the chemical industry, this personal protective equipment has applications as diverse as people who use it.
Recent studies indicate that the global market for disposable gloves will reach $15.13 billion by 2028, 5 billion more than in 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic is a significant factor in the market’s development. Still, the focus on employee health and safety is also observed, which contributes to the industry’s growing importance.
What are disposable gloves used for?
As we have already said, disposable gloves have many applications. Some of them are related to general hygiene and comfort during work, but there are also more specific ones:.
- work with chemicals and acids;
- constant contact with dangerous microorganisms – bacteria, fungi or viruses;
- danger of sharp objects, abrasions, cuts or burns;
- working with oils and several petroleum products.
Personal protective equipment protects employees, the end user or the patients in a hospital. They also serve to prevent the so-called cross-contamination.
In this article, we will pay attention to the critical industries for which using disposable gloves during work is mandatory.
Disposable gloves in healthcare
Medical and healthcare workers wear disposable gloves when contacting body fluids, blood, saliva, and more. These personal protective equipment play a vital role in reducing the transmission of harmful microorganisms.
Medical gloves are divided into two main types – gloves for medical examinations and surgical gloves.
- Medical examination gloves or “medical gloves” are generally applied in this industry. They are mainly used to prevent contamination between doctor and patient in various procedures.
- Surgical gloves are more specific than those for general use. They are usually individually wrapped to maintain their complete sterilization.
Among all disposable gloves, nitrile gloves stand out with the most fundamental features that meet safety requirements. They are a preferred choice as they do not cause skin irritation and are more durable and comfortable to wear for an extended period.
Disposable gloves in the food industry
The use of personal protective equipment in the food industry is associated with numerous safety requirements, both for employees and for the final product.
When working with food, hands must be protected for many reasons:
- To stop the transmission of many diseases to the end user
- To prevent injuries, burns or extreme temperatures
Due to the need for frequent replacement of gloves, nitrile and vinyl protective means are used during work and in cases of work with extremely high temperatures – neoprene.
The existence of powder in disposable gloves must undoubtedly be considered when choosing the right PPE for this industry. The powder is often a prerequisite for developing bacteria and allergic reactions on the employee’s skin. If it gets into the food, it violates the safety standards of the final product.
Disposable gloves when working with chemical substances
Gloves are mandatory when laboratory technicians or workers in the chemical industry may be exposed to hazardous substances. Choosing the proper personal protective equipment, in this case, comes down to the chemicals it must withstand:
- Nitrile gloves are resistant to the following chemical substances – fuels, petroleum products, vegetable oils, some organic solvents, weak acids, weak caustics, household preparations;
- Although vinyl gloves offer some protection from water-based liquids, they should never be worn when handling chemicals. It is recommended to wear this type of glove only for a brief period of time, such as 5 minutes or less;
- When it comes to chemicals, latex gloves do not offer safe and reliable protection. Gloves can begin to break down immediately when exposed to even more harmless chemicals such as concentrated sulfuric acid;
- Neoprene gloves protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids and bases;
- Polyethylene gloves offer protection from various oils and greases.
Disposable gloves in hospitality industry
The hotel and restaurant sector is one of the industries that has almost continuous direct contact with the end consumer. Therefore, it is essential to wear disposable gloves. They are even legally required for safety.
Key to this industry is wearing gloves that are suitable for food contact and do not cause allergic reactions – polyethylene, nitrile or vinyl gloves. Providing reliable personal protective equipment that is comfortable, high-quality, ergonomic and suitable for wearing for a long time is of the highest importance for properly running work processes.
In addition to workplace safety, disposable gloves can minimize the risk of infection or contamination to end users and production.
PPS Manufacturing – the European manufacturer of nitrile gloves. Our products meet several quality standards and are continuously optimized to provide our customers with the highest quality protective equipment. See all the essential features of PPS Gloves.
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