Safety Gloves for Warehousing and Logistics
Distribution centres move volume, and hand injuries in this sector are rarely dramatic. They are the accumulation of shallow cuts, splinters and strains that occur thousands of times a day. Glove selection here is about comfort and consistency, because a glove that is not worn protects nobody.
Cut from packaging
Steel and polyester strapping under tension, box cutter blades, staples in cartons and the cut edges of shrink wrap all cause lacerations during unloading and repacking. A TDM cut letter of B or C is sufficient for most of this work, and the glove must be thin enough that pickers do not remove it to handle labels.
Abrasion
Timber pallets splinter, cardboard sands the palm over a full shift, and roller conveyors and cage trolleys wear the fingertips. The property required is a coated palm with a good abrasion figure in the first EN 388 position, since an uncoated knit will not last a week in pick and pack work.
Repetitive strain
A picker completes thousands of grip and release cycles per shift. A glove that is too thick, too large or slippery increases the grip force needed on every one of them and contributes to forearm and wrist complaints. The property that helps is a thin high gauge liner with a reliable grip coating in the correct size.
What to specify
EN 388:2016+A1:2018 is the relevant standard, with dexterity graded under EN ISO 21420. For chilled and frozen areas add EN 511, choosing contact cold performance rather than bulk because pickers handle stock continuously.
The common specification is a 13 or 15 gauge polyurethane coated glove for ambient picking, a nitrile foam coated glove for goods inwards and yard work where surfaces are wet or oily, and a lined glove for the chilled and frozen chambers. Touchscreen fingertips are worth specifying wherever scanners and terminals are used.
Recommended gloves
- GRANBERG 0480: Touchscreen-compatible lightweight assembly gloves with PU coating for precision handling.
- GRANBERG 0744: Touchscreen compatible assembly gloves with patented nitrile foam coating for oil, wet, and dry grip.
- GRANBERG 0811: Lightweight nitrile-coated assembly gloves with contact heat resistance and OEKO-TEX® certification.
- GRANBERG 5502: High-dexterity impact protection gloves with nitrile foam palm for oil-resistant grip.
Frequently asked questions
What gloves suit warehouse picking?
A 13 or 15 gauge knitted liner with a polyurethane coating gives enough cut and abrasion protection for cartons, strapping and pallets while staying thin enough for scanners and labels. Touchscreen compatible fingertips are worth adding so gloves are not removed at every terminal.
Do warehouse gloves need a high cut level?
Usually not. TDM level B or C covers cartons, strapping and general packaging. Level D or above is justified where sheet metal, glass or unpacked blades are handled. Over specifying makes the glove stiffer, which increases the chance a picker takes it off.
What should be issued for chilled and frozen chambers?
A glove rated under EN 511 with good contact cold performance, since pickers are continuously touching chilled stock and racking rather than standing in still air. Keep the fit snug enough for dexterity, plan warming breaks, and rotate to dry gloves once liners become damp.