Hand protection: how can gloves and undergloves be matched to the risks encountered?

In the lab, hand protection is your first line of defence against chemical, biological, thermal and mechanical hazards, while keeping contamination—both particulate and cross-contamination—under control. Disposable gloves, reusable styles, heat protection, finger cots and glove liners: every task calls for the right material, standard and finish. Choose well to boost safety and productivity while staying compliant with EN ISO 374, EN 388, EN 407, EN 511, EN 455 and EN ISO 21420. In the cleanroom, low particle shedding and double-bagged packaging make all the difference.

What different types of hand protection are used in the laboratory?

The hand protection range covers diverse needs, from precision work to handling aggressive substances.

• Single-use gloves for laboratory and examination: in nitrile, latex, neoprene or vinyl, powder-free, with the lowest possible AQL to avoid micro-perforations in the gloves, and options such as textured fingertips, different cuff lengths 240/300 mm to provide better protection including the wrist, virus resistance (EN 374-5) and chemical permeation times (EN 16523-1). Other points to consider: glove cleanliness, presence or absence of vulcanisation accelerators to limit skin reactions. Check protection levels in chemical resistance guides.

• Gloves for cleanroom use: ISO 4 to 7 and GMP A to D, low particle shedding, pouch packed, ambidextrous in bulk or sterile and anatomical (left/right), packed in pairs with double bagging, double gloving possible, traceability, sometimes ESD.

• Finger cots: localised protection, precision, ESD and silicone-free versions for optics/electronics.

• Reusable chemical gloves: in nitrile, neoprene, butyl; chosen according to chemical permeation time (EN 16523-1) and degradation (EN ISO 374-4), with possible additional protection against abrasion or temperatures. Long cuffs are useful against splashes.

• Mechanical protection gloves: tests under EN 388 (cut, abrasion, tear) indicate resistance to different hazards.

• Thermal protection gloves: EN 407 (gloves for high temperatures, up to 500 °C depending on model), and protection against cold (EN 511), including cryogenic gloves for liquid nitrogen (contact with dry cold).

• Reusable waterproof gloves: PVC/nitrile, enhanced grip, durable tightness, for basic chemical protection.

• Glove liners: cotton/microfibre or ESD, they reduce perspiration and improve comfort during prolonged wear. Some cut-resistant gloves can also be used as liners.

Essential selection criteria:

• Target risk (chemical, biological, mechanical, thermal, particulate)
• Material and compatibility (permeation charts EN 16523-1 / EN ISO 374)
• AQL for single-use gloves
• Thickness, length, texturing, colour (coding)
• Particulate cleanliness, sterility (cleanroom)
• Comfort and ergonomics (size, hand-specific fit, liners)
• Compliance with EN ISO 21420, EN 455, EN 388, EN 407, EN ISO 374

Where is hand protection used?

• Life sciences: cell culture, microbiology, bioproduction – nitrile/latex gloves powder-free, sterile versions for aseptic handling.

• Chemistry & R&D: synthesis, HPLC, solvents – reusable nitrile, neoprene and butyl gloves according to permeation charts.

• Pharmaceutical: sterile filling, isolators – cleanroom gloves ISO 5–7, isolator gauntlets (CSM/butyl), double gloving recommended.

• Food and cosmetics: quality control, formulation – single-use gloves compliant with food contact (model-dependent), textured grip for wet handling.

• Environment: sampling, field analyses – liquid-tight and mechanical-protection gloves, long cuffs.

• Cryogenics and storage: biobanks, LN2 – cryogenic gloves for handling dry cold.

• Maintenance and logistics: mechanical protection (EN 388), materials handling, anti-slip.

• Electronics/optics: ESD finger cots and low-lint gloves to prevent marks and particles.

The different types of laboratory gloves and accessories available

Frequently asked questions about hand protection

Nitrile or latex: which should you choose?
Nitrile offers broad chemical resistance and avoids latex allergy. Latex remains very supple with excellent tactility. Decide based on hazards, resistance, SOPs and skin tolerance.

How to choose a glove for a specific solvent?
Consult permeation charts (EN 16523-1/EN ISO 374) and aim for a high breakthrough time.

What is the AQL of a disposable glove?
AQL is a quality index (defects). The lower it is (e.g. 1.5 or 0.65), the higher the statistical leaktightness. Requirements depend on application and SOPs.

When should a single-use glove be replaced in chemistry?
At first signs of contamination, puncture, or once permeation time has elapsed. If data are unavailable, change every 30–60 min and immediately after splashes.

What is specific about a cleanroom glove?
Low particle shedding, post-production washing, available with extra-long cuffs (up to 600 mm), validated sterilisation and double bagging for controlled transfer into clean areas (ISO 4–7).

Are cryogenic gloves suitable for LN2 immersion?
They are designed for dry cold contact and splashes. Do not immerse these gloves; use tongs and splash shields instead.

How to size your glove correctly?
Measure hand circumference. Match the length (240/300+ mm) to splash risk and the need to protect the wrist. In cleanrooms, use anatomically shaped sterile gloves (left/right) for ergonomics.