Safety Gloves for Chemical and Petrochemical
Chemical processing, laboratories and petrochemical plants are the one sector where the glove is genuinely the last line of defence for the hand. Selection here is chemical specific, and a general purpose glove is not a defensible answer to a permeation risk.
Chemical permeation
Permeation is the chemical passing through an intact glove at a molecular level with no visible sign. The glove looks fine and the hand is being exposed. The property required is a documented breakthrough time under EN ISO 374-1 for the specific chemical and concentration, with a change interval set well inside that time.
Splash
Decanting, drum sampling, line breaking and pump changes produce splash that runs down the glove and onto the forearm. The property required is a gauntlet length cuff, long enough to sit under or over the sleeve depending on whether the hands are raised, plus a rolled cuff bead where drips need to be caught.
Virus/biological
Laboratories, effluent treatment and waste streams present bacterial and viral exposure alongside chemical exposure. The property required is EN ISO 374-5 certification, and specifically the word VIRUS printed under the biohazard pictogram, which confirms the glove passed the ISO 16604 viral penetration test.
Heat
Steam lines, reactor jackets, hot oil and exothermic reactions create contact heat hazards in the same areas as chemical hazards. Most chemical gloves are thin polymer films with no thermal performance at all, so hot surface handling needs a separate EN 407 rated glove rather than a thicker chemical glove.
What to specify
Specify EN ISO 374-1:2016 and read the letter codes, not just the Type letter, because Type A only means six or more of the eighteen listed test chemicals were resisted for 30 minutes. Add EN ISO 374-5 with the VIRUS marking where biological exposure is credible, and EN 388 where the same task involves cut or abrasion.
Every chemical glove selection should be recorded against a specific substance, concentration, temperature and contact time, with the manufacturer permeation data attached. Set a change interval rather than relying on a visual check, because permeation gives no visible warning.
Recommended gloves
- GRANBERG 9013: Chemical-and-cut resistant gloves with HF acid protection and ANSI A7 rating.
- GRANBERG 6000: Flexible chemical-resistant gloves for industrial wet work. Sandy nitrile palm, nylon liner.
- GRANBERG 2000: Heavy-duty neoprene chemical-resistant gloves. Flock lined with anti-slip grip for industrial use.
- GRANBERG 0400A: Chemical-resistant latex gloves with flock lining. Food-safe, Type A certified, virus-tested.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a glove for a specific chemical?
Start with the substance, its concentration, the temperature and the expected contact time, then consult the manufacturer permeation data for that combination. Check the letter codes printed on the glove and the breakthrough level, and apply a margin because testing is done at 23 degrees Celsius on unstressed samples.
What is the difference between permeation and degradation?
Permeation is the chemical passing through intact material at a molecular level with no visible change. Degradation is the material itself being attacked, showing as swelling, hardening, softening or discolouration. A glove can degrade badly and still have a long breakthrough time, and it can permeate while looking perfectly normal.
Are double gloving and single use gloves enough for laboratory work?
For incidental splash of low hazard substances, a certified single use nitrile glove changed frequently is often appropriate. For sustained contact, immersion or high hazard substances, a thicker reusable glove with documented breakthrough data for that chemical is required. Double gloving buys time but does not replace correct material selection.