There are many industrial jobs that require employees to handle hot items from time to time. Selecting an appropriate heat-resistant glove can sometimes be a challenge, as dexterity is commonly compromised as the temperature of the item being handled goes up.
You really need to be careful when selecting a glove from a safety supplier that lists a temperature rating on a glove. When a glove states; “Provides heat protection up to 700 degrees F”, what does that really mean? More than likely, this rating might be viewed by many who try the glove as an over-exaggeration. In some cases, a worker with tough calloused hands might be able to hold that light object for 1 second only before the heat becomes very uncomfortable. A “tender-skinned” employee trying to pick up the same object might instantly drop the object in pain!
We have found some of our vendors do not even want to post a “temperature rating” on gloves simply because of all the variables involved in how quickly that heat transfers through a glove. Some issues to consider:
- Size, shape and weight of object being handled – different weights and contact pressure affect the transfer of heat through the gloves or mittens to your hands
- Duration of contact – the longer you hold it, the heat has more time to work through the layers of the glove
- Type of heat – consistent or intermittent
- Heat range – hotter items require thicker, multiple layers of fabric
Just remember that heat transfers quickly and builds up when a job requires holding onto something heavy and hot for an extended period of time. Sometimes I recommend that an extra pair of gloves be kept nearby so that the wearer can periodically change into a pair that has cooled down.
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