Vinyl gloves are made of a synthetic rubber material called Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are very popular as they can be used on both oil and water based products without any effect. They also provide an extra layer of protection against allergens and reduce risk of powder-related complications.
This glove has been widely used in the food service industry, healthcare sector and even by mechanics due to its flexibility and toughness. This is also one of the most economical options as it can be disposed of after use with no concerns for cross-contamination as the synthetic rubber does not interact with or absorb chemicals nor will it break down or degrade when exposed to harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, ultraviolet light or ozone.
What is the protection level of vinyl gloves?
Vinyl gloves protect against low risk of blood and body fluid exposure. This includes most chemicals that are non-toxic for humans. Vinyl will degrade with prolonged contact to strong acids or bases, rendering them useless.
The strength of this glove is good enough to prevent tears by hand pressure alone yet it can be punctured during use on sharp objects such as metal edges under tension. They are also not resistant to oil based substances so avoid direct contact with oils when handling equipment. The tensile strength of this type of glove ranges from approximately 2 – 5 MPa depending on manufacturer and thickness. Generally speaking, thin gloves have a lower tensile strength than thicker ones which are understandably more difficult to puncture.
Where are vinyl gloves used?
Vinyl gloves are usually preferred for dirty work since they are reusable. They are commonly worn by janitors, kitchen helpers and labourers during the course of their duties. Some people also prefer vinyl gloves for protection against germs or to avoid contact with different chemicals due to allergies.
A box of 100 thin disposable vinyl gloves will generally last 1 – 2 weeks depending on usage rates. For example, if you wear one pair daily at work then about 50 pairs can be used in an average month assuming that there are no holes due to mishandling, sharp objects or rips from excessive force when pulling them on.
Types of Vinyl Gloves
There are different types of vinyl gloves with varying levels of thickness for different purposes. For example, thin disposable gloves are used in food kitchens or to protect hands from solvents while medium thick gloves are good for handling oily materials or sharp objects. Thick heavy duty ones are used where the risk of puncture is high due to heavy weight loads.
To choose the correct glove size, measure the circumference of your palm just below your knuckles. A tape measure can be used directly if available or alternatively divide your hand length by 3 to get an estimate for glove size. Use this table as an approximation:
Small = 18 – 20cm Medium = 21 23cm Large = 24 – 26cm Extra large = 27 – 29cm
When standing upright, the glove should reach up to the top of your forearm. Vinyl gloves stretch well with hand movement but are generally very stiff when not in use so avoid purchasing a glove that is too large unless you have problems with limited range of motion or frequent punctures on existing ones.
Are vinyl gloves re-usable?
No, vinyl gloves are designed to be single use only. They should be disposed of after use with other general waste.
When cleaning up chemicals or working in dirty environment, clean hands thoroughly before removing the gloves by using water and soap or an alcohol based hand rub. You will need about 15ml – 20ml of liquid per glove if you intend to re-use them for another round of work because they can become contaminated easily especially when handling sharp objects.
Vinyl Gloves Malaysia
Many people are using vinyl gloves in Malaysia these days to avoid chemicals exposure and infection transmission. The strength of this type of glove ranges from approximately 2 – 5 MPa depending on manufacturer and thickness. Generally speaking, thin disposable gloves have a lower tensile strength than thicker ones which are understandably more difficult to puncture.