Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows, chips and rough objects. These gloves can be used for tasks such as welding.

Fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions. They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough, sharp or heavy materials. Adding a plastic coating will strengthen some fabric gloves.

Chemical Protective GlovesChemical protective gloves are made with different kinds of rubber: natural, butyl, neoprene, nitrile and fluorocarbon (Viton); or various kinds of plastic: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated for better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove material, the greater the chemical resistance, but thick gloves may impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety. Different glove materials resist different chemicals, and glove compatibility can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Select the glove material that is most resistant to the chemicals being used.