When it comes to protecting hands at work, construction, or even at home, many are faced with a choice: should I wear thick mittens or thin work gloves? At first glance, this is a small thing, but not only the comfort, but also the safety of the employee depends on this decision. After all, the hand is one of the most vulnerable tools of labor. Improper choice of personal protective equipment (PPE) can lead to injury, reduced productivity, and even downtime.
Today we will figure out in what conditions mittens are needed, and when it is better to choose gloves, what standards of issue are established by law and how to make the right choice, taking into account the type of work, working conditions and profession. More information about modern hand protection solutions can be found on the website https://www.politex-spb.com .
What is the difference between mittens and gloves?
The main difference is in the design and purpose:
- Mittens are rough, often seamless products where the thumb is separated from the rest, and the rest of the fingers are in one "pocket". This design provides maximum protection when working with heavy, sharp or hot materials.
- Gloves — repeat the anatomy of the hand, each finger is isolated. This gives precision of movement, sensitivity and convenience when performing delicate or precise operations.
The choice between them does not depend on preferences, but on the working conditions and the nature of the tasks performed.
How to choose a means of protection: from profession to temperature
The rule is simple: the higher the risk of mechanical damage, the denser and rougher the protective equipment should be. And if dexterity is important, choose thin but durable gloves.
Here are some examples:
- A construction worker, a loader, a welder — they need gloves. Protection against cuts, sparks, high temperature and abrasive wear is important here.
- Mechanic, electrician, assembler — they work with small parts, tools, and wiring. They need gloves with high tactile sensitivity — for example, 10th or 13th grade knitting.
- Working in the cold requires insulated models. Here, not only the protective, but also the heat-insulating property is important.
- Chemical production involves the use of special gloves with latex or nitrile coating to protect against harmful substances.
Thus, the choice is always individual and depends on the type of work, conditions and level of danger.
PPE issuance standards: what does the law say?
Providing employees with personal protective equipment is not the right, but the duty of the employer. In Russia, there are standard standards approved by orders of the Ministry of Labor. They determine how many pairs of gloves or mittens should be issued per year for each profession.
For example:
- Movers
