It is particularly important to protect your hands if your job involves a risk of impact to the back of the hand, handing heavy objects, or where there is risk of fingers or the upper part of the hands being pinched. Fortunately, certain gloves can really take a beating. Literally.
Find out everything you need to know to select the right impact glove. Read how to choose the right pair and what to look out for.
What are impact gloves?
The strength of impact gloves lies in their design. They are specially designed to protect hands from mechanical shocks, impacts and crushing hazards. That is why they feature reinforced zones on the knuckles, fingers and the back of the hand. These areas are often made of TPR (thermoplastic rubber) and EVA foam. These areas absorb the force of an impact and distribute it over a larger area. Your hand and fingers are less likely to be crushed or broken as a result.
- EVA foam is a light, flexible and rubbery material. It cushions impacts effectively and is often used on areas such as knuckles and palms.
- TPR is a tough plastic that resembles a mix of plastic and rubber. It is harder than EVA and is mainly used for robust protection on knuckles, fingers and the back of the hand.
When do you need impact gloves?
You wear an impact glove when:
- There is a risk of falling objects
- There is a risk of pinching or entrapment of fingers and hands
- You work with heavy tools or rough materials
5 tips on choosing the right impact gloves
- Draw up a risk analysis
First analyse all the risks in your working environment. What are the dangers? Do you mainly face localised impacts, such as blows or bumps to specific parts of the hand (e.g. the knuckles or fingers)? Then you need gloves with reinforced areas. Or is there dispersed impact, where forces are distributed over a larger area? In that case, flexible, effective damping materials are important. You must also consider whether you need to protect against bumps only or whether cuts are also a risk. In many cases, you should cover the risk of impact, but also:- Cut resistance (e.g. when working with sharp objects)
- Abrasion and tear resistance
- Oil and chemical resistance
- Heat or cold protection
- Focus on the standards
Pay attention to the EN 388 standard - it indicates performance in terms of abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tear and puncture resistance and impact protection. For impact protection, there is an additional test according to EN 388:2016 (impact test). The standards below may also be important in choosing the appropriate pair:- EN 511 - cold resistant
- EN 407 - heat-resistant
- EN 374 - chemical-resistant
- Focus on fit and comfort
Try different sizes and brands to make a good comparison. A glove should fit well without restricting freedom of movement. There are also impact gloves with touchscreen functionality (link). - Choose breathable material
Breathable material prevents overheating and sweat accumulation, especially for intensive use or in hot working conditions. Examples of breathable material include microfibre, polyester, nylon, elastane, bamboo or cotton. The base material of the glove also plays a role; it could be leather, kevlar, synthetic fabrics, etc. The process of choosing material for impact glove is the same as for other work gloves. You choose the material or coating depending on the risk and purposes. For high cut risks, choose cut-resistant materials. If you need more abrasion resistance, choose your material accordingly. You can find more information about material choice here. Roll up your sleeves: this is how to choose the most suitable gloves - Life-expectancy and abrasion resistance
Some gloves are designed for intensive, long-term use. Cheaper variants tend to wear out faster.
Some models are also waterproof, thanks to an additional coating or membrane layer. Pay attention to this when working in wet conditions. There are also winter impact gloves and even gloves with chemical protection.
Did you know... impact gloves are often eye-catching to:
- Increase the visibility of hand gestures
- Raise awareness about being worn
Would you like support when buying an impact glove? Then ask for advice from one of our Safety Experts.
