If you're looking for cold weather essentials to keep you moving on snowy days, look no further than Protec Direct. We offer a wide range of products to help you beat the winter, including salt spreaders, snow shovels, ice scrapers and de-icer spray. We also offer a selection of cold weather clothing, plus winter survival kits with everything you need to keep your vehicles on the road. Order by 5pm, and your order can be delivered the next day.

Cut resistant gloves

When workers are exposed to sharp tools or materials, it is important that employers put measures in place to ensure their safety on site. Here at Protec, we stock a wide range of cut resistant gloves from leading brands including Traffiglove, Ansell, Skytec and Uvex, which offer the wearer durability as well as comfort. You can also find specialist gloves such as lightweight cut resistant gloves and glass fibre gloves.

 

Why wear cut resistant gloves?

Cuts, specifically to the hand, fingers and wrist, are the most common occupational injury in the UK. It is therefore paramount that employers protect workers who are at risk from serious injury as a result of handling sharp blades or tools, operating power tools or coming into contact with piercing materials. Common industries where this is relevant include:

• Construction
• Mechanics
• Engineering
• Agriculture

While completely cut proof gloves are a myth, significant advancements in technology and materials like Kevlar, glass fibre and polyurethane mean cut resistant gloves can help reduce the level of risk and ensure that workers can carry out their jobs safely.

 

Employer Responsibilities

According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, if there is a risk of injury in a workplace which could be avoided with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), then employers are required to provide suitable protective equipment for their employees. This means that PPE, and more specifically cut resistant gloves, should always be provided when there is a risk of injury from sharp tools, materials or objects. Employers are also required according to the regulations to replace protective gloves and clothing when needed.

 

Safety Standards for Cut Resistant Gloves

The EN 388:2003 European Standard applies to all forms of hand protection which protect against abrasion, blade cuts, punctures and tearing from mechanical risks. It sets out requirements including test methods, labelling and information which must be supplied with protective gloves.

This standard means that a four digit code must be displayed on the packaging of all cut resistant hand protection. Each number in the code refers to the product’s ability to perform in the following areas:

• Resistance to abrasion
• Blade cut resistance
• Tear resistance
• Puncture resistance

All protective gloves are also bound by EN 420, which sets out requirements that gloves must meet in order to be deemed fit for purpose.

Browse our complete selection of cut resistant hand protection below or explore our wider range of hand protection to find gloves suited to dozens of purposes and industries. There you can find the likes of anti-vibration gloves, builders grip gloves and many more. 

Disposable gloves

At Protec we stock an extensive selection of disposable gloves, including vinyl, latex and nitrile gloves which can be used in a wide variety of industries. Our single use gloves come in all sizes and from leading brands such as Polyco, Ansell and Skytec, offering a superior resistance to chemicals and tearing in order to keep users safe at work.

 

What are disposable gloves used for?

Disposable gloves are used by professionals in a wide range of industries to create a barrier between the wearer’s hands and potentially dangerous substances. For example, single use gloves are used in the following industries:

• Medicine – to prevent cross-contamination and infection, as well as protecting the wearer from the likes of blood and bodily fluids.
• Catering – to prevent food from being contaminated with bacteria from the wearer’s hands.
• Chemical industries – to prevent harmful chemicals from touching the skin in laboratories and similar environments.
• Police & Emergency Services - to prevent officers from contaminating evidence, and to protect them from substances such as blood or chemicals.
• Janitorial, Refuse & Waste – to prevent the wearer from coming into physical contact with any hazardous substances which have been disposed of.

 

What are disposable gloves made from?

There are a number of materials that disposable gloves can be made from, with each one having its own qualities that make it more suitable for certain tasks or industries. The three main materials are:

• Latex – Latex gloves are famously durable and flexible, so they’ve long been the material of choice when it comes to disposable gloves. However, organisations buying latex gloves must ensure that no one who intends to use them suffers from a latex allergy.
• Nitrile – Nitrile is highly regarded as one of the best materials for making disposable gloves. Nitrile gloves offer all the benefits of latex but without the allergies, as the material was specially created to eliminate the allergic effect of latex.
• Vinyl – Vinyl is much cheaper to produce than both latex and nitrile, so vinyl gloves are most commonly used as a solution for saving costs on a single use consumable. Typically vinyl gloves are looser fitting and are therefore not ideal for dextrous tasks.

There are also both powdered and powder-free gloves available to buy here at Protec. The powder in powdered gloves is intended to soak up perspiration and make gloves more comfortable during long-use; however some wearers can find it irritates their skin.

 

Glove Regulations

All of our disposable gloves adhere to the EN 420:2003 European Standard, which sets out the requirements gloves must meet in order to be seen as fit for use in a professional setting. These regulations are aimed at ensuring that all safety gloves offer maximum protection for the conditions in which they’ll be used.

Browse our full selection of disposable gloves below, or take a look at our full range of safety gloves for a variety of purposes. Our range includes everything from rubber gloves to protective sleeves, so you can find exactly you need for the task at hand.

General Handling Gloves

At Protec Direct we stock a wide selection of general handling gloves as part of our extensive range of PPE gloves and sleeves. This includes gloves made from latex, vinyl, polyester and nitrile, as well as products from leading brand names like Ansell, Marigold and Polyco.

 

When Can General Handling Gloves Be Worn?

General handling gloves are known for their versatility, and can be used for a range of tasks across a number of industries. These gloves are commonplace in a range of professions due to their low cost and good protective properties which make them great value for money.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most common materials which are used to make our general handling PPE gloves, along with some of the industries and tasks in which they are most effective:

• Latex gloves offer a great combination of strength and dexterity, making them useful in a wide range of industries, from janitorial work to gardening. However, some workers may be allergic to latex gloves, and in these cases, vinyl gloves are an effective alternative as they offer many of the same properties without affecting those with latex allergies.
• Nitrile coated gloves offer superior strength, as well as being cut, puncture and abrasion resistant. They are also more resistant than natural rubber to the likes of chemicals, oils, grease and acids and this makes them very popular in the appliance manufacturing, automotive and metal fabrication industries where abrasive or sharp-edged materials are often handled.
• Polyester and cotton gloves, such as the Ansell Tiger Paw, are one of the most popular general handling gloves. The robust construction of these gloves makes them ideal for heavy and frequent tasks like building, construction, logistics, warehousing and transportation.

 

Regulations and Employers’ Responsibilities

As with all of the PPE hand protection available online at Protec Direct, our general handling gloves adhere to the standards required to ensure they are as effective as possible, including:

• EN 420 – This European Standard defines the general requirements which make PPE gloves fit for purpose, such as accurate sizing, as well as stating reuirements for the design of gloves to help minimise the risk of injury.
• BS EN 388:2003 – This European Standard specifies which test methods (for the likes of abrasion resistance, blade cut resistance and puncture resistance) are used in the production of protective gloves against mechanical risk, as well as the suitable markings and information which must be supplied with each product.

Employers should also adhere with the following legislation, to ensure they are doing all they can to keep employees safe at work:

• Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002) – These regulations outline employers’ duties with regards to supplying the correct PPE for employees to use, and ensuring it is used properly. All PPE, including protective gloves, must be fit for purpose, stored correctly and replaced when necessary, and all employees must be trained on how to use the PPE.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) – These regulations give employers a framework which must be adhered to in order to protect workers against health risks from hazardous substances. For example, wearing the correct gloves when handling chemicals.

Browse our selection of general handling gloves below, or take a look at our full range of protective gloves and sleeves to find specialist products such as anti-vibration gloves, cut resistant gloves and builders’ gloves.

Protec Direct supply a wide selection of heat resistant work gloves as part of our extensive range of PPE hand protection. The heat resistant gloves below are ideal for protecting yourself or your employees from all kinds of heat, including dry, moist, thermal or atmospheric, with each type of glove specially designed to withstand certain hazards. Our heat resistant and retardant gloves are made from a variety of materials, including leather, Kevlar and cloth, and come from well established brands such as Ansell and Polyco. Browse the full range below or read on for more information on this specialist line of PPE products.

 

Types of Heat Resistant Gloves

As mentioned above, there are many types of heat resistant gauntlets and gloves, with each one suited to specific industries or tasks. Here is a list of some of the most common and popular types of heat protective gloves:

• Low heat resistant gloves offer resistance to lower levels of heat and generally offer abrasion or cut resistance as well.
• Extreme heat resistant gloves protect workers from the highest levels of heat. These can differ depending on whether heat is dry or moist, flame or spark.
• Heat resistant gauntletsprovide workers with protection against flames and sparks when welding, but can also offer the likes of abrasion and vibration resistance for specialist tasks. Different levels of dexterity are also available when purchasing welding gauntlets.
• Fire retardant gloves offer maximum protection from flames, and will not melt, drip or deteriorate in high levels of heat.
• Foundry heat beater gloves offer exceptional protection from heat and are specifically designed for melting or casting metals.

 

Who Uses Heat Resistant Gloves?

Heat protective gloves are used by the likes of welders, factory workers, engineers, glass makers, blacksmiths, ironmongers, pyrographers, inject moulders, and mechanics. However, there are a number of industries that use heat resistant gloves who you may not expect, such as hairdressers, brewers, food producers, caterers, chefs and laboratory workers. 

 

Regulations for Heat Resistant Gloves

As with all the PPE hand protection available online at Protec Direct, our heat resistant work gloves all adhere to the relevant regulations and standards to ensure they are safe and suitable for use. These include:

• EN 407 – This European Standard concerns gloves which give protection from thermal hazards. This means that the likes of resistance to flammability, resistance to contact heat, resistance to convective heat, resistance to radiant heat and resistance to splashes of molten metal must all be displayed on a pictogram on the product’s packaging.
• EN 12477 – This European Standard describes the level of protection that PPE gloves are meant to provide to the hand and wrist when used for welding or similar tasks. It takes into account testing from EN 407 and EN 388 (gloves that protect from mechanical risks).
• EN 420 – This European Standard defines requirements for the construction of protective gloves, whether they are fit for purpose and their safety.

 

Employers’ Responsibilities

Employers have responsibilities when it comes to ensuring their staff are safe at work, and this means supplying them with any necessary personal protective equipment, including heat resistant gloves if they’re carrying out relevant tasks. This is bound in law by the following regulation:

• Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002) – Employers have a duty to supply the correct PPE to keep staff safe from risks at work, and must ensure that employees are trained on how to use it.

Browse our full range of fire and heat resistant gloves below, or take a look at our complete range of PPE hand protection to find more specialist products such as cut resistant gloves and PU coated gloves.

Nitrile / Latex Unsupported Gloves

Here at Protec Direct we stock a great selection of latex and nitrile unsupported gloves, including products from top brands such as Ansell, Marigold and Polyco. These versatile gloves can be used in a wide range of industries, and are crucial in protecting staff against a range of hazards in the workplace.

We offer nitrile and latex unsupported gloves in a range of designs for different purposes, including:

• Chemical protective gloves
• Heavy duty rubber gloves
• Heavyweight gloves
• Flock lined gloves
• Nitrile gauntlets

 

What’s the Difference Between Nitrile and Latex Gloves?

Nitrile and latex gloves are often used for many of the same tasks. However, there are some key differences between the two. Nitrile gloves are produced using a nitrile synthetic rubber, whereas latex gloves are made using natural rubber. One of the main problems with latex gloves is that many people suffer from latex allergies, so you may wish to choose nitrile gloves to protect your staff from allergic reactions.  

 

What are Unsupported Gloves?

The gloves available on this page are all unsupported gloves. This means that during production, a porcelain hand form is dipped directly into the nitrile or latex compound. The hand form is then retrieved and left to dry, before the dried nitrile or rubber is stripped away, resulting in the unsupported glove.

Supported gloves are made using a similar process. However, a knitted or woven supporting cloth liner is dipped into the compound, which then supports the glove and offers added strength to the finished product.

 

Nitrile and Latex Gloves in the Workplace

Latex and nitrile gloves share a number of useful attributes, including chemical and puncture resistance, high dexterity and sensitivity. They are ideal for use in a wide range of industries where protection from hazards such as chemicals is required.

 

Regulations for Protective Gloves

At Protec Direct, all of our personal protection equipment adheres to the required European Standards. The relevant standards for nitrile and latex gloves are as follows:

• EN 420 – This defines the requirements which are necessary in the production and sale of protective gloves, taking into consideration things like construction of the glove, whether it is fit for purpose, its safety, and the accurate sizing of the glove according to common European sizes.
• EN 374 – This standard is specific to protective gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. It focusses on the terminology and performance requirements of the gloves, as well as their resistance to penetration or permeation by chemicals.

 

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must follow regulations when their staff engage in tasks that put them at risk, which means providing equipment such as protective gloves when staff are handling dangerous substances. Regulations which must be adhered to include:  

• Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002) – Employers have the duty to provide, and ensure use of, PPE which is needed to protect users against health and safety risks at work.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002) – Employers must protect their workers by supplying the correct PPE against risk from hazardous substances - for example, cleaning chemicals and waste products.

Browse our selection of nitrile and latex unsupported gloves below, or take a look at our full range of PPE gloves to find more specialist products, including cut resistant gloves and heat resistant gloves.

Nitrile Coated Gloves

At Protec Direct we stock a variety of nitrile coated work gloves, offering a high level of grip and protection for workers in a range of industries. Customers can choose gloves from industry-leading brands, such as Ansell, Marigold and Showa, with a variety of designs and sizes available. Whether you are a self-employed trader or large organisation, it is the law to protect employees when on the job, so browse our range of nitrile coated gloves below to find what you need to keep your team safe.

 

What are nitrile gloves?

Nitrile is a synthetic rubber copolymer which is also known as NBR latex; however, contrary to what this name may suggest there are actually no latex proteins in the material. For this reason, nitrile is the hand protection material of choice for many businesses, as nitrile gloves can be safely worn by those who suffer from latex allergies without causing allergic reactions.

Nitrile’s properties include having an excellent resistance to punctures and tears – in fact, nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant than their rubber counterparts. It is also thin, comfortable and highly flexible, more resistant to oils and acids than both latex and rubber, and offers a superior level of non-slip grip regardless of whether the gloves are wet or dry.  

Nitrile coated gloves go one step further by using nitrile to coat the glove lining, therefore adding another protective layer. The lining of the gloves can be made from a range of materials, including foam, nylon and spandex, and they can be either fully coated or partly coated, such as palm-coated nitrile gloves.

 

What are nitrile coated gloves used for?

Nitrile’s properties of being thin, tough and oil resistant mean that they are ideal for use in the mechanical, engineering and automotive industries. The fact that they offer users a high level of dexterity is also a huge bonus for workers in these industries, who commonly need to be nimble with their fingers while still having a high level of protection.

The enhanced grip of nitrile coated gloves also means they are commonplace in factories, warehouses, and production lines, as well as in the logistics industry. The grip allows workers to do their job more efficiently and the protective qualities defend hands from abrasive materials and repetitive wear and tear on the skin.

 

Regulations and Standards

Protec’s hand protection range conforms to the appropriate legislation requirements in order to ensure maximum safety for the user. These regulations and standards include:

• EN388 Standard – This European Standard covers the testing of safety gloves for protection against mechanical risks. It measures the gloves’ resistance to abrasion, blade cuts, tearing and punctures.
• Personal Protection Equipment Regulations (2002) – This sets out employers’ duties in providing and ensuring the use of PPE where there is a risk at work for employees. All PPE, including nitrile coated protective gloves, must be properly maintained, tested, stored and replaced when necessary.

Browse our complete range of nitrile coated work gloves below to find the best options for you and your employees, or explore our full selection of PPE gloves, including nitrile unsupported gloves.

PU Coated Gloves

Loss of grip and inflexibility can be frustrating for workers in a range of industries who require the use of gloves to carry out their jobs, but thankfully PU coated gloves offer a great solution to these issues. Here at Protec we stock a wide range of polyurethane coated gloves from leading brands such as Ansell, Polyco and Honeywell. Browse our full range below.

 

What Are the Benefits of PU Coated Gloves?

There are a number of benefits which make polyurethane coated gloves perfectly suited to a range of industries and tasks. These include:

• Flexibility – Polyurethane is incredibly stretchy and this makes PU gloves one of the most suitable forms of hand protection for jobs where sensitivity and dexterity is required. The material also continues to offer protection to the wearer, something that most other flexible materials cannot do effectively.
• Grip – Another great benefit of PU coated gloves is the unrivalled level of grip which they offer. The properties of the material mean that wearers have increased grip while retaining a huge level of protection and flexibility.
• Affordability – Finally, these gloves are also relatively cheap to produce and purchase. This is a great benefit for both companies and tradesmen, as PU gloves typically need replacing often, but the low price means this is not so much of an issue.

 

What Are PU Coated Gloves Used For?

Taking into consideration the benefits listed above, polyurethane gloves lend themselves much more favourably to certain industries and jobs. For example, PU coated gloves are often used in cleanrooms and electronics because they are non-shredding, provide great grip, and offer puncture resistance. They are popular amongst electricians especially as they are cut-resistant and are still very flexible for the wearer.

 

Safety Standards for PU Coated Gloves

At Protec, all our hand protection products conform to the latest legislation requirements in order to keep wearers safe from injury during use. For our range of PU coated gloves, this means that each product is approved to:

• BS EN 388:2003 – This European Standard specifies the full requirements, testing means, and information which must be supplied with mechanical protection gloves, including polyurethane coated gloves. The testing described in this Standard takes into consideration abrasion resistance and puncture resistance.
• BS EN 420 – This European Standard defines the general requirements and test methods which must be followed during the design and production of all protective gloves.

 

Employer Responsibilities

In accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002), employers are required to supply any necessary protective equipment, such as PU coated gloves, to help workers carry out tasks safely. Employees should also be trained in the use of the PPE supplied, and equipment should be repaired or replaced when necessary.

Find our selection of PU coated gloves below, or browse our full range of protective gloves for a variety of purposes, including cut resistant gloves, builders grip gloves and much more.

Protec Direct supply a wide range of protective sleeves varying in material and purpose of usage. These protective sleeves each have their own unique protection use, ranging from cuts, heat, and chemicals. As mentioned, these protective sleeves are therefore produced from a number of different materials including Kevlar, leather, and hyflex. All of Protec Direct’s protective sleeves meet the appropriate legislation requirements.

Protec Direct supply a large number of thermal grip gloves as part of its Hand Protection product range. Thermal grip gloves are perfect for working in cold conditions in a number of industries including construction, transportation, maintenance, and generally any manual work outside. These thermal grip gloves provide the wearer with a comfortable fit, warmth, and flexibility.

Protec Direct supply a wide range of trade specific gloves as part of their hand protection product range.  These include a large number of gardening gloves ideal for landscaping, and light duty tasks. Also, a number of these gardening gloves offer the wearer protection when involved in heavy duty manual jobs, or protection when working with electricity. All Protec Direct’s gardening gloves and trade specific gloves conform to the appropriate legislation standards.

Protec Direct have organised this set of Ebola protective equipment to help protect against any outbreak of the Ebola virus. We know that the virus is extremely contagious and anyone involved in caring for Ebola infected patients needs a range of equipment for protection against Ebola. Protective suits, respiratory masks, protective shoes, eye protection and sanitisation equipment are all available. This kind of equipment is essential in the protection against Ebola and other contagious diseases, whether airborne or transmitted via contact. Once a patient displays the symptoms of Ebola, there should be an immediate move to protect those caring for them. This range of protective equipment will help professionals deal with an Ebola outbreak and prevent those in contact with Ebola patients becoming infected.

To compliment the comprehensive Industrial Skin Care range, Protec Direct supply a collection of Triple Active Gel products for the workplace. This is the world’s first specialist hand health and comfort protection gel for workers wearing occupational gloves. In creating a healthy workplace environment, you’ll always be sure to find what you’re looking for at Protec Direct.