Choosing and using the correct work glove can protect you from injuries, but it also helps you to work better if you’re wearing the right gloves for the job.

Light gloves are ideal for simple but dirty tasks. They keep dirt and non-toxic items like grease, or paint off your hands – the fabric may be cotton or nylon and if it has a cotton liner it also allows your hands to ‘breathe’.  The PVC dots on the palms give excellent grip for lifting smooth boxes, plastic items and particularly glassware, which can be both slippery and dangerous.

Split leather gloves offer more protection and if they have cotton or canvas backing, they keep the hands cooler than a full leather glove, while offering reinforcements on the palm, thumb and index finger. They are ideal for heavy tasks that do not require specialist gloves: for example loading vans, packing equipment or gardening and other agricultural work.

If you need to handle toxic chemicals or liquids, then you have to wear some form of plastic gloves – neoprene, PVC, polyamide or nitrile material will protect your hands and longer lengths ensure that nothing you are handling splashes up your arms.