The Different Types of PPE Hand Protection Gloves: What Gloves for Wha – DIY Refurb

A Complete Guide for DIY and Trade Use

When tackling any project—whether it's a major renovation, general construction, or DIY repairs—hand protection is non-negotiable. The right PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) gloves not only protect your hands from hazards like cuts, chemicals, and vibration, but they also enhance grip, precision, and productivity.

This guide covers the different types of PPE hand protection gloves, what they're used for, and how to choose the right pair for your project.

Quick Menu

Disposable Nitrile Gloves
Latex Gloves
Cut-Resistant Gloves
Grip Gloves (Textured or Coated Palms)
Leather Gloves
Chemical-Resistant Gloves
Thermal or Cold-Weather Gloves
Welding Gloves
Anti-Vibration Gloves
Electrical Insulating Gloves
General Purpose Work Gloves
Impact Protection Gloves
How to Choose the Right Gloves
Glove Standards
Common Mistakes to Avoid
PPE Glove Comparison Table

1. Disposable Nitrile Gloves

Best for: Chemical handling, painting, light cleaning, medical-grade hygiene tasks.

Features: Chemical-resistant, puncture-resistant, latex-free (ideal for those with allergies).
Typical Use: DIY painting jobs, handling adhesives, or protecting hands from oils and greases.
Pros: Lightweight, cost-effective, good tactile sensitivity.
Cons: Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks.

Disposble Nitrile Gloves - Blue - Product Link

Disposable Nitrile Gloves - Diamond Textured Black - Product Link

2. Latex Gloves

Best for: General cleaning, painting, or light plumbing.

Features: Flexible, form-fitting, excellent grip.
Caution: Can cause allergic reactions in some users.
Durability: Better than vinyl but not as tough as nitrile.

Polyco Latex Gloves - Product Link

3. Cut-Resistant Gloves

Best for: Handling sharp tools, cutting wood, glass, or sheet metal.

Materials: Often made from HPPE, Kevlar, or stainless steel mesh.
Protection Ratings: Look for EN 388 cut-resistance levels.
Use: Using utility knives, saws, or working with sharp edges.

Cut Level 3 Gloves - DIY Refurb - Product Link

Cut Level 5 Gloves - DIY Refurb - Product Link

4. Grip Gloves (Textured or Coated Palms)

Best for: Construction, roofing, landscaping, and materials handling.

Features: Rubber, latex, or polyurethane coating on the palm enhances grip.
Use Case: Carrying bricks, timber, tiles, or tools.

Grip Gloves - Sandy Nitrile Palm - Product Link

5. Leather Gloves

Best for: Heavy-duty tasks like bricklaying, fencing, or welding.

Features: Thick and durable, abrasion-resistant, some heat protection.
Types: Split leather (rough), grain leather (smooth).

Leather Rigger Glove - Product Link

6. Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Best for: Handling solvents, acids, masonry cleaners, fuels, pesticides, and other hazardous liquids.

Chemical-resistant gloves are vital for any task involving corrosive or toxic substances. Whether you're stripping paint, cleaning brickwork, applying preservatives, or working with damp-proofing products, the right glove will protect your skin from burns, irritation, and absorption of harmful chemicals.

Materials: Common options include nitrile, neoprene, PVC, latex, and butyl rubber. Each has a different level of chemical resistance—so always check compatibility.
Key Features: Long cuffs for wrist and forearm protection, non-slip grip textures for safe handling, and lining (cotton or flocked) for comfort during prolonged use.
Protection Levels: Certified to EN 374—make sure gloves display this standard for verified chemical protection.
Typical DIY Uses: Applying masonry cleaner, handling timber preservatives, mixing concrete additives, cleaning with bleach or alkaline degreasers.

Tip: Chemical gloves are not one-size-fits-all. For example, nitrile works well against oils and fuels but breaks down with strong acids; PVC may resist acids but fail against solvents. Always consult a chemical resistance chart before use.

Warning: Never use standard disposable gloves for heavy chemical exposure—if a glove isn't rated for chemical resistance, it can degrade rapidly and offer a false sense of safety.

Chemical Resistant Glove/Gauntlet - Product Link

7. Thermal or Cold-Weather Gloves

Best for: Outdoor winter work or cold storage.

Features: Insulated lining, waterproof exterior, some grip surfaces.

Thermal Cold Weather Gloves - Product Link

8. Welding Gloves

Best for: Arc, MIG, and TIG welding.

Materials: Leather, Kevlar stitching, heat-resistant lining.
Tip: Use thinner gloves for TIG, thicker for MIG welding.

Welding Gauntlets - Product Link

9. Anti-Vibration Gloves

Best for: Operating power tools such as breakers, impact drills, grinders, pneumatic tools, and compactors.

Anti-vibration gloves are designed to protect your hands and arms from the long-term effects of tool-related vibration. Frequent use of vibrating machinery can lead to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), also known as vibration white finger—a serious, often permanent industrial injury affecting nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and joints.

Technology: These gloves use gel, foam, or rubber padding in the palm and fingers to absorb and dampen vibration from tools.
Construction: Often reinforced with breathable, stretch materials for comfort and dexterity, without compromising impact resistance.
Protection Standard: Look for gloves that comply with EN ISO 10819 (vibration reduction standard).
DIY & Trade Use: Ideal for demolition, landscaping, construction, automotive repair, and concrete work where tools are in use for prolonged periods.

Limitations: Anti-vibration gloves reduce, but do not eliminate, vibration exposure. Proper tool maintenance, regular breaks, and ergonomic working positions are essential parts of vibration control.

Tip: Choose gloves specifically rated for medium to high-frequency vibration (typically in the range of 31.5–1250 Hz), depending on the tools you use. For example, jackhammers require higher damping compared to battery-powered drills.

Common Features: Padded palms, reinforced fingers, flexible knuckle zones, hook-and-loop cuffs for a secure fit, and breathable back panels for moisture control.

Popular UK Uses: Operatives handling SDS drills, petrol strimmers, concrete breakers, angle grinders, or air tools in groundwork and hard landscaping.

Anti Vibration Gloves - Product Link

10. Electrical Insulating Gloves

Best for: Electrical installation, panel servicing, live testing, EV repairs, and high-voltage maintenance.

Electrical insulating gloves are designed to protect users from electric shock when working on or near live circuits. These gloves are a critical part of arc flash and shock protection PPE in both domestic and industrial settings.

Materials: Made from specially treated natural rubber latex or synthetic elastomer that resists electrical current.
Design: Thick, flexible construction that extends well past the wrist, often worn under leather over-gloves for mechanical protection.
Safety Standards: Must meet EN 60903 and be class-rated based on voltage protection:
- Class 00: Up to 500V AC / 750V DC
- Class 0: Up to 1,000V AC / 1,500V DC
- Class 1–4: For higher industrial voltages, up to 36,000V
Usage: Essential for working inside consumer units, EV charge points, industrial panels, or anywhere there’s potential for unexpected voltage exposure.

Inspection: Electrical gloves must be tested every 6 months for insulation breakdown and checked before each use for pinholes, cracks, or damage. Most gloves have a rolled cuff with a date stamp and serial number.

Layering Protocol: For full protection, gloves are typically worn in two layers:

Inner insulating glove: Rated to the working voltage
Outer mechanical protector: Leather or composite to prevent cuts or punctures

Storage: Must be stored flat (not folded), away from heat, ozone, and UV light. Keep in a clean, dry, ventilated glove bag when not in use.

Tip: Don’t use these gloves for general electrical work unless you’re working live or exposed—insulating gloves can be bulky, and unnecessary wear shortens their lifespan.

Electrical Safety Gloves - Product Link

11. General Purpose Work Gloves

Best for: General DIY, gardening, repairs.

Materials: Cotton, synthetic, or lightweight leather.
Limitations: Not designed for high-risk tasks.

General Handling Gloves - Product Link

12. Impact Protection Gloves

Best for: Demolition work, construction, groundwork, and use of heavy machinery or tools.

Features: Reinforced thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or gel padding on knuckles, fingers, and back of the hand.
Protection: Designed to absorb and deflect impact forces, reducing the risk of blunt-force trauma and crushed fingers.
Common Uses: Handling bricks or blocks, jackhammer work, steelwork, or any high-impact environments.
Bonus: Many modern impact gloves also offer cut resistance and grip-enhancing coatings—ideal for multitasking on site.

Impact Protection Gloves with Cut Level 5 - Product Link

How to Choose the Right PPE Gloves

Consider:

Hazard type – cuts, chemicals, vibration, etc.
Dexterity – thicker gloves reduce sensitivity.
Environment – wet, cold, or high-grip tasks.
Duration – long-term wear vs quick tasks.

Glove Standards to Look Out For

EN 388 – Mechanical risks
EN 374 – Chemical resistance
EN 407 – Heat and fire
EN 511 – Cold protection
EN 60903 – Electrical protection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong glove type for the task
Wearing ill-fitting gloves
Reusing disposable gloves
Not inspecting gloves for damage

Final Thoughts: Hands-On Safety Starts with the Right Glove

Whether you're a weekend DIYer or seasoned professional, the right PPE gloves protect your most valuable tools—your hands. Each glove type is purpose-built, and understanding what to use for each task improves safety, performance, and comfort.

PPE Gloves Comparison Table

Glove Type	Best Use	Protection	Material	Relevant Standard
Disposable Nitrile	Chemicals, oils, hygiene	Light chemical and puncture resistance	Nitrile	EN 374
Latex	Cleaning, light tasks	Water and minor chemical protection	Natural Latex	EN 374
Cut-Resistant	Sharp tool handling, cutting tasks	High cut protection	HPPE, Kevlar, Steel Mesh	EN 388
Grip Gloves	Manual handling, building work	Grip, abrasion resistance	Textile with latex/nitrile coating	EN 388
Leather	Heavy-duty tasks, welding	Heat and abrasion resistance	Split or Grain Leather	EN 388 / EN 407 (welding)
Chemical-Resistant	Handling solvents or acids	High chemical resistance	Neoprene, PVC, Nitrile	EN 374
Thermal Gloves	Cold weather or frozen storage	Thermal insulation	Insulated synthetic fabrics	EN 511
Welding Gloves	Arc, MIG/TIG welding	Heat, spark, flame protection	Leather with heat-resistant lining	EN 407
Anti-Vibration	Power tool use	Impact and vibration absorption	Rubber/Gel-padded synthetics	EN ISO 10819
Electrical Insulating	Electrical work	Electrical shock insulation	Rubber (Class 00–4)	EN 60903
General Purpose	Light DIY, gardening	Basic abrasion protection	Cotton, polyester, synthetics	Optional EN 388
Impact Protection	Demolition, groundwork, construction	Blunt-force and crush protection	TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber), Gel Padding	EN 388 (Impact Rating P)