Gloves designed for a targeted use protect hands against a main identified hazard (cuts, heat, chemical agents, cold, ESD hazards, vibration) while retaining the freedom of movement needed at the workstation. They meet the needs of many professional environments: construction, metalworking, chemicals, food processing, logistics or maintenance. Groupe RG selects and traces models against applicable standards, to simplify compliance and roll-out across multiple sites.
Choosing gloves suited to specific needs: uses and working contexts
A special-use glove targets specific protection and forms part of the workstation risk assessment. It rarely replaces general-purpose PPE when the process imposes a precise requirement: handling sheet metal, welding, handling corrosive products or prolonged cold work. To quickly compare the options available by usage family, see our selection of work gloves.
Hazards covered and limits of use
These gloves mainly address one identified hazard but do not systematically cover all hazards simultaneously. The instructions and test results indicate the limits (for example: cut resistance without chemical permeation) and make it possible to define procedures for use and removal in the event of combined exposures.
Sectors involved: construction, industry, chemicals, food processing, logistics, maintenance
On building sites and in maintenance, good abrasion resistance, cut protection and reliable grip are sought first; in metalworking, resistance to cuts and contact heat comes first; in chemicals, the choice mainly depends on permeation and compatibility between the glove material and the substances handled; in food processing, hygiene, cold work and precision of movement are decisive. Identifying the most exposing action and the repetition of handling helps select the most relevant model.
Standards, certifications and protection levels to master
Compliance is assessed under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the test standards linked to the hazard. Correctly reading the markings makes it possible to translate an operational requirement into a measurable, traceable performance level for audits.
Reading markings and pictograms: EN 388 (mechanical), EN 374 (chemical), EN 407 (thermal), EN 511 (cold), EN 16350/ESD (anti-static)
- EN 388: abrasion, tearing, puncture and cutting (with EN ISO 13997 for high performance).
- EN ISO 374-1/5: chemical and micro-organism resistance.
- EN 407: resistance to various thermal phenomena.
- EN 511: protection against cold.
- EN 16350/ESD: check the marking and requirements of your electronics line.
Traceability and evidence of compliance useful for audits: instructions, certificates, references and batches
Keep the EU declaration of conformity, the technical data sheet and the instruction leaflet. Product references, batches and manufacturing dates make it easier to analyse field feedback and manage substitutions during multi-site restocking.
Selection criteria and points of vigilance for equipping teams
Laboratory performance must be tested against actual use: a balance between protection and ergonomics, compatibility with tools and dexterity maintained over a full day. Non-acceptance when worn is often linked to a poor ergonomics/protection trade-off.
Adapting the glove to the task: dexterity, grip, touchscreen compatibility, cuff
Check the size, thickness, flexibility and construction of the glove by reproducing the key movements of the activity. Grip must remain reliable on dry, wet or oily surfaces; touchscreen use limits repeated removals; cuff length is chosen according to the area to be protected and the junction with the work outfit.
Choosing materials and coatings according to exposure: cutting, heat, chemicals, moisture, vibration
Technical textiles and reinforcement zones placed at critical points make it possible to increase cut protection while limiting loss of dexterity. In the presence of heat, the choice moves towards leather, aramid or insulating linings, depending on the nature of the exposure (contact, splashing, duration). For operations involving chemical substances, material choice (nitrile, neoprene, butyl, PVC, etc.) is based on the permeation and compatibility tables published by the manufacturer.
Anticipating simultaneous wear with other PPE: sleeves, clothing, respiratory protection and tools
Check that protection remains effective at the wrist when the operator is in a real situation and that junctions remain well sealed in a chemical environment. Favour compact models when tools or control interfaces require good tactile sensitivity.
Groupe RG support for standardising and securing your choices
Groupe RG relies on a structured "activity → hazard → standards requirements → product chosen" approach and organises tests in real conditions to confirm manoeuvrability and comfort when worn. This method helps harmonise equipment across multiple sites, manage replacements in the event of unavailability and gather evidence that is easy to use during an audit.
Needs assessment by trade and field trials for specific use
The assessment combines task description, identification of the levels required and short tests in representative conditions. Feedback informs the final criteria: thickness, cut, cuff and finish.
Multi-site rationalisation: range continuity, substitution management, documentation
Reducing the number of references per hazard category, while retaining a few relevant variants, helps standardise practices on the ground. Set acceptable alternatives (minimum performance, materials, sizes) and archive technical data sheets and EU declarations of conformity for each batch received.
FAQ
How do I choose special gloves according to the hazard to be covered?
Identify the dominant hazard and the duration of exposure, link it to the corresponding test standard and set the minimum expected level. Test two models in real conditions to check grip and acceptance when worn.
What standards and markings should be checked on special gloves?
Check the PPE marking under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the suitable standards: EN 388, EN ISO 374, EN 407, EN 511, EN 16350/ESD. Keep the technical data sheet and the EU declaration for audits.
What is the employer's obligation regarding the provision and monitoring of this type of PPE?
The employer must assess hazards, provide suitable PPE, inform and train users, and ensure maintenance and replacement when the level of protection is no longer guaranteed. Documenting the choices makes HSE management easier.
How often should special-use protective gloves be renewed?
The frequency depends on use, environment and maintenance. Carry out regular visual and functional checks and replace a glove showing puncture, stiffness, an open seam or a noticeable loss of grip.
How should these gloves be maintained, checked and stored without degrading their level of protection?
Follow the instructions: some gloves can be washed, others cannot; avoid high-temperature drying, which damages coatings. Store in a dry place, away from UV and chemicals, and check condition before each use.