Handling gloves protect hands during handling, moving and assembly operations, limiting injuries linked to friction, edges, impact and contamination. They are directly relevant to logistics, construction, industry, food processing, energy and maintenance. The challenge is to link each workstation to actual hazards and expected performance levels. Groupe RG supports this selection with a rigorous reading of standards, technical data sheets and on-site constraints.
Choosing gloves for handling: uses and hazards covered
Handling covers very different movements: warehouse picking, pallet preparation, assembling parts, laying materials on site or maintaining equipment. In logistics and light industry, priority often goes to dexterity and grip. In construction and maintenance, greater robustness is sought against rough surfaces and tool handling. Mechanical hazards vary according to the materials handled: abrasion and tearing dominate with cardboard and pallets, puncture appears with points or strapping, and cutting concerns fine edges, sheet metal and metal parts.
Standards, certifications and protection levels to know
The EN 388 standard structures the reading of performance against mechanical hazards. For cutting, the historical index should be distinguished from the ISO 13997 level (letters A to F), more relevant for highly resistant materials. When the environment moves away from standard handling, additional standards apply: EN 511 for cold work, EN 407 for heat exposure, EN ISO 374 for chemical and biological hazards. Beyond the pictograms, the label and instructions must specify the standard, the levels achieved, the size, the material and storage conditions to ensure traceability usable in audits.
Selection criteria for equipping your teams properly
Knit gauge, coating flexibility and cut directly affect dexterity, particularly for scanning, picking or assembly. Breathability limits internal moisture, which degrades comfort and can reduce grip towards the end of a shift. Regarding materials, nitrile offers a good balance between wear resistance and grip in slightly oily conditions; polyurethane, being thinner, suits situations where touch and precision are paramount; leather remains relevant for abrasive work; reinforced technical textiles allow cut resistance to be increased without excessively stiffening the hand. To compare models and refine your selection, see our range of work gloves. The cost of use goes beyond the price per pair: a glove that is too light wears out quickly on pallets or strapping, while a glove that is too heavy sometimes ends up left in a pocket because it hinders movements.
Roll-out approach and Groupe RG support
Standardising provision aims to reduce protection gaps between teams and simplify ordering. The most suitable method consists of defining a few workstation profiles — light, versatile, heavy, precision, cold handling — then linking each one to a reference and validated sizes. Compliance relies on a clear link between the risk assessment, the glove chosen and the associated documentary evidence: technical data sheets, performance levels, references and cross-site consistency. Monitoring by trade allows continuous adjustment when tasks change following a change in packaging, pace or thermal environment.
FAQ on handling gloves
What standards and markings should be checked on handling gloves?
First check EN 388 and its abrasion, tearing, puncture and cutting levels, then add EN 511, EN 407 or EN ISO 374 if the workstation involves exposure to cold, heat or chemicals. In an HSE context, the technical data sheet completes this information and makes justification easier during an audit.
Which gloves should be chosen according to hazards and tasks?
For versatile handling, favour a good abrasion level and a coating suited to gripping the item handled. If there is a cutting hazard, think in terms of ISO 13997 level (A to F) and test dexterity on the actual movement. For cold, heat or chemical hazards, add the specific standard, as EN 388 alone does not cover these exposures.
Which materials offer the best trade-off between protection and dexterity?
Polyurethane and certain fine knits suit situations where precision matters most, while nitrile offers a good balance between wear resistance and grip. Leather remains relevant for abrasive work but can reduce tactile sensitivity. Reinforced technical fibres help increase cut resistance while retaining acceptable flexibility.
How can an SME with varied trades be equipped without mistakes?
Structure provision around a few simple profiles: a versatile glove, a precision glove, a reinforced glove and a cold-resistant glove if needed. Make sure each reference matches an identified hazard and is available in all common sizes to limit substitutions. A short field trial, on representative workstations, secures the choice before roll-out.
Which gloves should be favoured when dexterity and precision are essential?
Choose precision gloves with a fine gauge, a thin, even coating, to retain sensitivity at the fingertips. Check that grip remains stable on actual surfaces and that the glove does not slip towards the end of a shift. If there is a cutting hazard, look for a suitable level without stiffening the hand to the point of hindering the task.
What robustness-to-price ratio should be targeted for intensive use?
The best trade-off comes from a model suited to the abrasion at the workstation, as this is often what determines lifespan under intensive use. A well-sized nitrile glove, with reinforcements on wear areas if needed, generally lasts better than a model that is too light, even if it costs a little more. Monitoring actual consumption and causes of replacement makes it possible to adjust the reference and stabilise the cost of use.