Selecting the best protective glove can be daunting. It needs to provide the highest level of food safety to protect your customers, your product and your brand. That’s a big task. What material? What’s the difference between all of the gloves out there?
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from titanfine.
Our Eagle team is here to help make sure you select the best glove for your business. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. Eagle gloves or not, our goal is to increase glove safety across all US industries, through proper glove selection.
Here are the basics of disposable gloves. This will help you search for the best glove and decipher the spec sheets.
Nitrile: Nitrile butadiene rubber is a synthetic, latex-free rubber. Nitrile gloves have characteristics similar to latex such as their elasticity and strength, but do not contain the latex proteins people can be highly sensitive or even allergic to. We recommend nitrile gloves for food handling for multiple food safety reasons.
Vinyl: Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Vinyl Gloves are currently the most commonly used gloves for food handling in the US. We have stopped sourcing vinyl gloves due to food safety and environmental risks as well as adverse health effects to the glove wearer. Read why cheap vinyl are the best gloves to spread listeria.
Latex: Very durable due to their high elasticity and resistance to punctures, latex gloves provide the wearer a great fit, but improvements in nitrile have drastically closed the performance gap. Latex gloves are no longer used for food handling in most of the US due to potential allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.
Polyethylene: Commonly called PE gloves, they are an inexpensive safety solution to handling food or light sanitation when frequent glove changes are required (i.e. making sandwiches, wiping a stairway railing, serving food from a deli case, etc). Shop Eagle's cost-effective poly gloves.
Glove Thickness: This measurement is straightforward and tells you how thick the material is. A thicker glove does not necessarily indicate a stronger or more durable glove. Read do thicker gloves improve food safety to learn more.
Glove Weight: The weight of a glove indicates the amount of material in the entire glove.
Cuff Length: The cuff measurement is the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the end of the cuff. Depending on the task different cuff lengths are preferable, for example if more protection is needed a longer cuff would be the better choice.
Ambidextrous: Gloves formed to fit either hand reduce waste and simplify ordering when compared to gloves specifically formed for right or left hands.
Textured: Gloves generally have textured fingertips, and some are fully textured including the palm area. The texture is a roughened part of the glove which improves their handling of smooth or slippery surfaces.
Diamond Textured: This is a pronounced texture to provide enhanced grip, especially in wet conditions.
AQL: The acceptable quality level refers to a quality standard for measuring pinhole defects. It is a way to quantify the level of glove safety barrier between a workers hands and the product being handled. The lower the AQL, the less defects and higher quality the gloves are. Read more about using AQL to select the right glove.
Tensile Strength: The amount of force needed to stretch a glove to it’s breaking point. A higher number reflects a higher quality glove material.
Ultimate Elongation: This is the length the glove stretches before it breaks. Higher numbers represent better elasticity and a higher quality glove.
At Eagle Protect we pride ourselves in supplying high-quality, ethically-sourced disposable gloves. Browse our collection of gloves proven to adhere to the highest levels of safety and performance. Our glove experts are ready to help you select the best glove for your business.
Unseen dangers lurk all around healthcare practitioners and patients. As a result, safety precautions aimed at reducing these risks allow medical personnel to use protective gloves as part of their everyday routines. Medical Gloves are undeniably effective in protecting against harmful chemicals and microbes. This medical gloves buyers guide will help you choose the the right gloves for your providers.
Surgical gloves made from various polymers have unique properties for these critical applications. As a result, deciding which type of medical glove to use in your healthcare setting, such as dental clinics or physician offices, should be an important part of the risk mitigation process.
The medical field uses many types of disposable gloves: medical gloves, exam gloves, nitrile gloves and surgical gloves. When in close contact with a patient, healthcare staff and nurses typically wear exam gloves to protect themselves from infection. Surgeons and operating room nurses use more sophisticated surgical gloves to allow for greater precision, sensitivity and sizing.
Both exam and surgical gloves must be specialized to protect from illness and bodily fluids. They should also be soft to the touch so that the professional or patient is not bothered unnecessarily. For assistance on identifying the most appropriate glove type for your healthcare application, check out our Glove Buyers Guide.
Finding the right disposable glove for your needs can be a daunting challenge with so many different varieties to pick from. Whether you need gloves for surgical procedures, patient examinations, or general use, this guide will help you determine your requirements by providing comprehensive definitions and a helpful decision tree
Latex, vinyl, and nitrile are three of the most common materials used to make exam gloves. For several years, latex gloves have become the norm in medical offices, and different brands and models have different features. Some latex gloves, for example, contain powder while others do not, and some are thicker and longer than others.
In high-risk cases involving infectious material, latex gloves are used. They are pliable, durable, and biodegradable. Latex is a comfortable, versatile, and well-fitting barrier that provides mid-range barrier protection. Some practitioners and patients, however, are allergic or sensitive to latex.
Vinyl is a low-cost, soft, convenient, and non-latex alternative made from polyvinyl chloride. For low-risk tasks and handling non-hazardous materials, these gloves can suffice. Providers use vinyl gloves for tasks that need less tactile input. They are typically less durable than latex gloves.
Nitrile is a great general-purpose material. Providers use it for exams, especially on latex-allergic patients. It’s a tough, tear-resistant material that is ideal for handling sharp objects and instruments. In addition, providers can wear nitrile gloves for longer periods, and they have a long shelf life. In the end, they have high barrier protection and can withstand chemicals and punctures in a way that latex and vinyl cannot.
Disposable medical gloves come in a variety of styles with varying degrees of safety, comfort, and durability. Latex and nitrile gloves are the most commonly used gloves in the medical industry, but there are major differences between the two.
Manufacturers make this kind of disposable glove from a material that comes from the bark of mature rubber trees. Most industries have adopted latex gloves that fit user’s hands precisely and provide great sensitivity because of this material. Latex offers the highest level of protection against pathogens. Nonetheless, chemicals have weaker protection against it than other types of gloves.
One common misunderstanding about latex allergies is that it is a hereditary condition. While this can be true, Medical professionals, on the other hand, are at a very high risk of developing this allergy over time as a result of their regular use of latex gloves.
Redness and inflammation of the skin are two typical symptoms of this form of allergy. In rare cases, respiratory disorders and shock occur. Before conducting some sort of medical test, it’s also crucial to ask patients whether they have a latex allergy and if so, to use a non-latex alternative.
Learn more in Latex Allergies: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention.
Phlebotomists often struggle to find a glove thin enough to allow for pre-venipuncture vein finding, but thick enough to be strong and tear-resistant. Nitrile material combines the best of both worlds! Nitrile is more resistant to oils and acids than natural rubber. It’s also worth noting, some report this material is more tear-resistant than natural rubber materials. Plus, the use of nitrile allows for exam gloves to be ultra-thin – making blood draws more efficient for phlebotomists. Caresfield nitrile exam gloves are all powder-free, odor-free, and nonlatex, reducing the possibility of allergic reactions among patients and employees.
Nitrile gloves offer much greater resistance to punctures and chemicals, as well as protection from viruses. Most providers prefer disposable nitrile gloves over latex gloves. Latex-reducing and durable are factors, with the bonus of long shelf life.
It is difficult to find the “best” glove to fit each person. We’ve outlined all the options this medical gloves buyers guide. You’ll need to determine the needs for your specific users, procedures and requirements. High-quality patient treatment has never been better or more convenient than when the right gloves are nearby and ready to use. But first-time buyers should carefully consider the frequency of use and/allergy susceptibility.
The choice between latex, vinyl, and nitrile gloves is largely based on the level of safety required. In the medical industry, each material has advantages and disadvantages, so having a variety in your medical supply closet is a good idea. On any given day, you never know who your next patient will be or what procedure you’ll perform.
At Caresfield, we provide gloves in all three materials to protect your providers. Additionally, if you purchase in bulk you save your medical office money and protect against supply chain disruptions. Caresfield even offers a highly flexible Exam Glove Priority Supply Program to healthcare organizations in the United States. This program provides the confidence in a recurring glove supply at a fixed price, but unlike similar programs offered by larger distributors, you have the option to cancel at any time.
If you think all disposable gloves are alike, you might be letting a better solution slip through your fingers. In these unprecedented times, have you given much thought to the disposable gloves you use in your business? If not, you really should start.
Nitrile gloves are so much more than “just gloves.” Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber. This rubber makes them more resistant to oils and chemicals than their other disposable counterparts.
They protect your hands from oils and chemicals that can lead to injury and long-term illnesses, and also help maintain the integrity of your products and services, reducing opportunities for cross-contamination.
A study conducted by the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics looked at the toxicity levels of different glove materials. In comparing natural rubber latex to synthetic rubber latex, the study showed that the synthetic rubber (nitrile) exhibited a lower toxic response compared to natural rubber.
Latex gloves are made from plantbased rubber and have the feel of a second skin, where you can feel the object you are holding. One of the issues with latex gloves is their ability to cause serious allergic reactions. This is due to the plantbased proteins used in the manufacturing of latex gloves.
Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber. Due to the manufacturing process of nitrile, allergic reactions are very low. Nitrile gloves are more durable than latex gloves, but that durability comes at the expense of a natural feel to the objects you are holding.
From food service and manufacturing floors, to medical settings, janitorial and cleanroom use, nitrile gloves are quickly replacing latex gloves as the leader in workplace protection.
If you’ve been using latex gloves, switching to nitrile gloves might be a good idea. We’ve provided this guide to help you determine if they’re right for you.
Some of the advantages nitrile gloves have over other types of disposable gloves:
Greater durability
More resistance to higher temperatures
Less likelihood of passing on contaminants
Minimal allergic reactions
Nitrile gloves also offer protection when using sharp implements or equipment or when hands are experiencing regular friction. Mechanical repair, the medical profession and industrial cleaning firms love them. They’re generally more puncture resistant than regular latex gloves, meaning they offer improved protection while in use.
So now that you’re a little more familiar with nitrile gloves and their characteristics, let’s consider which type will best fit your needs. Nitrile gloves fall into two main grades – industrial and medical.
Industrial-grade nitrile gloves are those worn by people working with chemicals, including workers in the janitorial, food service and automotive industries. Industrial-grade nitrile gloves can offer differing levels of protection from disposable nitrile (low chemical resistance) to reusable nitrile gloves that offer high levels of puncture and chemical resistance. Some nitrile gloves are also anti-static, ideal for those working with machinery or for those working with electronics.
The thickness of your nitrile gloves will make a difference to your ability to carry out tasks. Industrial-grade disposable nitrile gloves will usually be around 0.06mm-0.08mm in thickness, providing splash resistance to chemicals. Thicker re-usable industrial nitrile gloves will provide a longer contact time resistance.
However, the thinner the gloves, the more dexterity the user will enjoy, making more intricate tasks easier to perform. If you require extra grip while working, then nitrile gloves with raised patterns are a good choice, as they increase grip strength on wet or slippery equipment.
Medical nitrile gloves are referred to as ‘exam’ grades. This type of nitrile glove is best for those working in medical professions where they require protection from contact with bloodborne pathogens or contaminants in the environment. You’ll notice dental practices, hospitals, doctor surgeries and laboratories opting for this grade of glove, as they have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they provide the protection those wearing them require.
Nitrile gloves are available in a full array of sizes, just as any other disposable glove. Before placing a full order, seek out samples to test first. This will ensure that the gloves actual fit and feel matches expectations (samples also allow you to assess the overall quality.)
Most nitrile gloves are available in sizes XS to 2XL. The right fit is important. Too small and the glove can be stretched excessively causing the material to break or fracture quicker; too large and it may not offer the right protection against chemicals.
Nitrile gloves come in a variety of colors which can help improve health and safety further. Blue is the standard color for this type of glove but for the automotive industry, most will opt for black nitrile gloves that hide the appearance of oil and dirt or white that will show any contamination when handling upholstery.
Bright colors such as yellow, green or orange are also available and are ideal when working with dangerous contaminants. By wearing two layers of gloves, such as a brightly colored pair underneath a regular blue pair, you can easily see if any holes or tears have been created while working and ensure you are protected.
powdered gloves absorb moisture and are a popular choice for those working within industries where gloves need to be taken on and off regularly. However, many prefer the non-powdered designs as they do not leave a residue when removed and can be taken on and off just as easily as their powdered counterparts.
For more information, please visit Cheap Vinyl Gloves Wholesale.
Does your industry have a recycling policy in place? Switching to nitrile gloves is one way to reduce impact on the environment, as they are created using a man made material. Their durability allows them to have a longer life reducing the number of gloves you are disposing overall.
Don’t let the opportunity to get a better glove slip through your fingers! Imperial Supplies offers a wide range of disposable and reusable gloves. Check out our current inventory of nitrile, latex, vinyl, neoprene and PVC gloves, in addition to glove dispensing equipment and hand sanitizers. If you’d like to chat online or speak to us by to gather more information, feel free to Contact Us at any time during our business hours, M-F, 6 am to 6 pm.
Medical-grade gloves are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) in many professional settings. While disposable medical gloves are most commonly used in healthcare settings, they are also required by paramedics, food handlers, dentists and other professionals. Where health and hygiene are the most concerned, protective gloves are essential. They help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses, promoting the safety of employees and clients.
If your occupational environment requires disposable gloves, choosing the best gloves is critical. You need to understand the difference between the various types of disposable gloves. Not all gloves are created equal – different materials, strengths and other characteristics serve different purposes. Below, we’ll discuss the 10 most important considerations when shopping for gloves.
Only some disposable gloves meet the standards for medical gloves. To qualify as medical grade, disposable gloves must meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality assurance guidelines. These guidelines ensure that all gloves used in medical settings are durable and reliable, not flimsy or fragile.
When examining patients, the acceptable quality level (AQL) of the gloves must be no higher than 2.5. This rating means that no more than 2.5% of gloves are defective in each batch. These gloves are non-sterile – sterile gloves must have lower AQL measurements.
Manufacturers must adhere to stringent testing measures in order to achieve a score of 2.5 or lower. Gloves with AQL values higher than 4 or 5 are only suitable for mechanical or industrial use. Stringent AQL standards require glove manufacturers to employ uncompromising quality control.
AQL scoring guidelines help ensure that gloves used for medical purposes are defect-free. Tears or other quality lapses can leave healthcare workers and their patients vulnerable to pathogens or other contaminants. Depending on your application, you must decide on an acceptable AQL rating.
You may find an industry standard, but if not, choose a lower AQL number, the best quality disposable gloves. Remember, doctors use gloves with an AQL score of 2.5 or lower when examining patients. Similar scores may be sufficient for your environment, unless you need them for surgical purposes.
Acceptable AQL-rated disposable gloves are available in a variety of materials.
The first thing you should consider is your glove material preference. Different glove materials serve different purposes, so it’s a good idea to know what glove materials are available before buying in bulk.
Nitrile gloves
Nitrile gloves are one of the best alternatives to latex gloves and have a longer average shelf life. Standard nitrile gloves are the ideal non-sterile option. Powder-free, latex-free nitrile gloves are resistant to chemicals, oils and acids.
The strength of nitrile makes these gloves tough and helps them remain puncture-free, even when worn for extended periods of time. If latex allergy is an issue, nitrile gloves offer a flexible, touch-sensitive alternative. You can bulk order nitrile gloves in a variety of colors and sizes.
latex gloves
Latex gloves are a comfortable, inexpensive glove suitable for use in most medical settings. They have been the mainstay of many healthcare facilities since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the s. That being said, latex allergies are very common.
Chances are your organization or the people you serve will be allergic to latex. If you’re buying widely used gloves, you might consider using materials that are less likely to cause allergic reactions, such as nitrile or vinyl. Latex also has a short shelf life compared to other materials.
Vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves
Another option is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves. PVC is a common synthetic plastic polymer. Since they’re easy to mass produce, these gloves are one of the cheapest options. They are also not as durable as other types of gloves, and they offer limited protection against hazards. Therefore, PVC gloves are best suited for low hazard applications. In some cases, nitrile-vinyl hybrid gloves may be the best option, both affordable and durable.
Other types of medical gloves
For most applications, one of the materials listed above will suffice.
Here are some other material options you might consider purchasing latex-free medical gloves:
For gloves to be “sterile”, they must meet strict FDA regulations. Sterile medical gloves can be used in surgery, so they must have the best AQL rating. Sterile gloves must meet a quality standard of 1.5 or lower. As mentioned above, the AQL value of examination gloves can be as high as 2.5, so sterile gloves are considered safer.
Sterile gloves may command a higher price because their production requires rigorous testing.
Surgical and Exam Gloves
While the term “non-sterile” may sound worrisome, non-sterile gloves with an AQL of 2.5 or lower can be used for any non-surgical purpose. The use of non-sterile gloves in non-surgical settings is safe and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Most healthcare workers use non-sterile gloves when examining patients.
Non-sterile gloves are also effective in other applications. If you’re looking for disposable gloves for everyday cleaning, food service, nursing, or other uses, non-sterile gloves are also available. Determining an acceptable AQL rating for your purposes is critical.
You may come across a choice of powdered and non-powdered gloves. Powdered gloves feature a cornstarch coating, which makes them easier to put on and keeps them from sticking together. While this could improve convenience, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned powdered gloves for use in surgeries and patient examinations.
In a medical setting, the risks of powdered gloves outweigh the benefits, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The powder can adhere to the wearer’s skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications including peritoneal adhesions, a type of adhesion between the body’s organs. While the ban has not yet extended to food service, powder on gloves could lead to food contamination. In most cases, non-powdered gloves are a better choice.
It is also important to consider the thickness of the gloves. Thicker gloves provide a stronger protective barrier. They also resist tears better, making them last longer.
A durable industrial-grade glove is thicker than a lighter, thinner glove. That being said, thicker gloves may reduce touch sensitivity, which is not ideal in some situations.
If your application requires higher touch sensitivity, you can choose thinner gloves made of durable materials such as nitrile. Look for glove thickness measurements in mils when browsing glove options.
Certain situations require a high level of tactile or touch sensitivity. For example, surgeons need uncompromised touch sensitivity to perform surgery with the necessary precision and accuracy.
The tactile glove is made of lightweight material and can achieve the same level of precision as an ungloved hand. Sensitivity may also be necessary in some applications, including food preparation, electronic processing, and pharmaceuticals. Gloves fit comfortably
You should also consider glove comfort and fit, including a variety of size options. Depending on your application, your employees may need to wear gloves when performing complex tasks. They may also need to wear gloves for extended periods of time.
Choosing a comfortable glove is critical – uncomfortable gloves can prevent people from performing necessary duties. Size selection is an important consideration.
If the glove is too small, it may cause allergies or restrict blood circulation to the hand, making the glove distracting and uncomfortable.
A glove that is too small is also more likely to tear, compromising its protective barrier. If the glove is too large, other problems may arise. The loose space between the glove and the wearer’s skin can leave the wearer vulnerable to pathogens. Gloves that are too large can also fall off, causing serious contamination problems.
When shopping for gloves, be sure to have several sizes on hand, at least small, medium, and large.
Tensile strength refers to the resistance of a material to breaking when stretched or stretched. Gloves with higher tensile strength ratings are more tear resistant.
Both nitrile and latex are materials with high tensile strength ratings – you can keep pulling on them before they start to tear. Tensile strength is critical as tearing can compromise the protection of the glove. This is an important metric, especially for applications that require manual dexterity.
While you might not think much about the color of a glove, it can make a significant difference. You can choose gloves in different colors so employees can easily distinguish between different types of gloves. For example, you might choose blue latex gloves and black non-latex gloves, so those with latex allergies won’t have trouble choosing non-latex gloves. If you need sterile and non-sterile gloves, color coding may be useful again.
The color of certain gloves can also make tears more visible. Tears are easy to identify if you wear dark gloves over light ones. You can then change the gloves as soon as possible after the tear to minimize the risk of contamination.
You may be wondering if wearing double gloves provides more protection than wearing a single glove. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), wearing double gloves is an effective way to protect the wearer from pathogens and other harmful substances.
They found that while glove perforations were common, there were no examples of perforations on the inside of a pair of gloves. The National Institutes of Health recommends wearing double gloves as a routine in the operating room.
Standardized wearing of double gloves can help you promote the safety and health of your employees. If you choose to do this, you may need to stock up on more gloves. It’s a good idea to order gloves in bulk for this purpose.
The last factor you should consider is the shelf life of the gloves. Buying disposable gloves in bulk ensures that you always have gloves when you need them – but it can also mean that some gloves will not be used for extended periods of time. The shelf life of a glove mainly depends on its material.
Nitrile gloves are more durable than other materials. You should always check the manufacturer’s guidelines, but most nitrile gloves will last for several years in their original packaging. In most cases, it is easy to tell if a glove is damaged. Damaged gloves may have cracks on the surface or may be brittle to the touch. Wear gloves of normal tensile strength and durability, and carefully record how long the gloves have been sitting on the rack.
Proper storage can make gloves more durable. For short or long term storage of gloves, you should keep gloves:
When deciding where to store gloves, choose a cool, dark environment. In most cases, a shelf in a concealed closet will do the trick. Proper storage will help you extend the shelf life of your gloves, saving you time and money in the long run, and minimising waste.
By using the right gloves for your application, you can create a safer, healthier, and more productive work environment. When shopping for a new disposable glove, there are several factors to consider – material, AQL, durability, comfort, dexterity, color and other characteristics. Each of these factors is important. Once you’ve selected the right gloves, be sure to buy as many as you may need and follow the best storage practices.
Reliable personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, gowns and hand sanitizer, is critical in many situations. It can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses and reduce the risk of contamination.
[read_meter]
Jochamp is a professional medical glove packaging machine manufacturer, we provide one stop solutions for glove packaging. If you have any questions about glove package, please contact us.
Other Related Information:
Gloves Packing Machine
Automatic Cartoning Machine
Flow Wrapping Machine
Shrink Wrap Machine
Blister Packing Machine
Pouch Packing Machine
Stick Pack Machine
If you want to learn more, please visit our website White Nitrile Disposable Gloves.