Where are Nitrile Gloves Used?
Nitrile gloves are the go-to for many businesses due to their durability and resistance to a wide range of chemicals, solvents, and other substances. From surgery to lab testing and even beekeeping, nitrile gloves offer a level of protection that is difficult to beat with other types of disposable gloves. In addition to their durability and chemical resistance, our range now includes biodegradable nitrile gloves, offering the same high level of protection with the added advantage of being environmentally friendly.
So what are nitrile gloves best for? And where can they really make a difference to safety and efficiency in processes?
Engineering and Mechanics Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are used in day-to-day operations in the following industries.
- Mechanics
- Engineering
- Electronics
- Laboratory work
- Chemicals manufacturing
This is because of their protective qualities against chemicals and sharp objects that workers need to handle to get tasks done. Chemical-resistant disposable nitrile gloves are used in labs, manufacturing plants, engineering spaces, and other settings where potentially corrosive chemicals and solvents are present.
Their anti-tear and anti-puncture features mean industrial nitrile gloves protect hands and fingers from blades, needles, and sharp machinery. Laboratory nitrile gloves mean technicians can work with chemical compounds without putting their skin at risk.
What are the best disposable nitrile gloves for mechanics? UK mechanics trust Steroplast Healthcare for reliable nitrile gloves that meet all relevant EN testing standards. We recommend Aurelia Black Nitrile Gloves, which have a thickness of 5 mil for high protection and durability.
Find out more about the differences between nitrile, vinyl, and latex disposable gloves.
Are nitrile gloves chemical resistant?
The HSE recommends removing potentially harmful chemicals from the workplace is the best way to mitigate the risk of injury. However, this is not realistic in many workspaces, so safety gloves are recommended as a last resort.
Nitrile gloves’ chemical resistance is their primary benefit to these types of applications. The chemical-resistant gloves' nitrile butadiene rubber copolymer composition means they won’t break down in the presence of many common chemicals, including oils and solvents.
A glove of 5 mil thickness or higher should usually withstand a chemical splash from the following (Strong Short Term Resistance) in the table below for at least 15 minutes (gloves should be changed after 15 minutes).
Our biodegradable gloves maintain the same high level of chemical resistance as standard nitrile gloves, making them a suitable and eco-friendly choice for handling hazardous materials.
What do nitrile gloves not protect against?
You may want to know are nitrile gloves acid resistant or acetone resistant when working with these chemicals. Nitrile gloves do not protect against all substances and are particularly susceptible to alcohol and ketones, which will cause their makeup to begin to degrade on contact.
Acetones will quickly melt and go through nitrile gloves, so they will not provide adequate protection. The following (Weak Short Term Resistance) in the table can damage nitrile gloves in under one minute.
| Strong Short Term Resistance | Weak Short Term Resistance |
|---|---|
|
|
| General Strong Resistance | General Weak Resistance |
|
|
Do nitrile gloves protect against electricity?
Do nitrile gloves insulate electricity? Rubber is a well-known insulator against electricity, and so is nitrile, a type of synthetic rubber comprising tightly packed electrons that cannot be easily separated.
Are nitrile gloves anti-static or ESD-safe? Yes, nitrile’s insulating properties mean your hands are protected from static electricity shocks when wearing them. This is a benefit to engineers, mechanics, and technicians who are at risk of unpleasant static shocks when working. They are also used in electronics assembly, where a static charge can damage and even destroy electronic parts.
Nitrile gloves offer unbeatable safety and protection to many different professionals. Read our article Nitrile Gloves: Safety for more.
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Medical Nitrile Gloves
Probably one of the most well-known sectors in which nitrile gloves are used is the medical and healthcare sector.
- Healthcare
- Dental
- Medical
- First aid
Nitrile examination gloves are used during exams and invasive procedures to protect the wearer from bodily fluids of the patient, such as blood and saliva. In particular, nitrile surgical gloves and dental nitrile gloves not only protect against body fluids with a water-resistant barrier but also protect against cuts with scalpels and needle sticks.
Cut-resistant nitrile gloves are likelier to split than sustain minute tears and pinhole punctures. This is useful as it means no small cuts to gloves will go unnoticed. Any body fluids that pass through the glove barrier onto the wearer's skin are biohazards and need to be dealt with quickly, so should nitrile exam gloves ever break, it should be immediately noticeable.
Occupational exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs must be kept to a minimum due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Research shows that nitrile is preferred for protective gloves when handling chemotherapy drugs and treatments, thanks to its impermeability. For healthcare professionals looking to reduce their environmental impact, our biodegradable nitrile gloves provide a sustainable option without compromising on safety and hygiene. Choose a thick pair of chemotherapy nitrile gloves or double up to increase levels of protection.
Food Service Nitrile Gloves
Can nitrile gloves be used for food prep? The design of nitrile gloves makes them ideal for environments where food is present.
- Food preparation
- Food handling and packaging
- Food manufacturing and processing
Select blue food nitrile gloves following the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on PPE use in food handling operations. The blue colour of plasters, gloves, and other PPE is much more noticeable and visible in contrast with the shades of food, meaning it’s much easier to intercept any contaminants and avoid them making their way to the consumer.
Take a look at Sterochef blue catering plasters, made with a metal strip to assist in automated detection scans and machines. Or, browse our full range of catering first aid and infection control supplies.
Nitrile gloves can be used in cooking and food handling to protect the wearer from nicks with blades and hot surfaces like hotplates, ovens, interiors, and frying pans. Nitrile gloves won’t be affected by brief contact with hot surfaces or steam, ensuring the wearer can get on with daily kitchen tasks without worrying.
When it comes to food prep in restaurants, cafes, delis, bars, pubs, and production lines where workers are touching food, nitrile gloves are completely food safe. Check your nitrile gloves are tested to EN1184 for Materials and Articles in Contact with Foodstuffs. Our blue nitrile gloves meet EN1184 and other EN standards for work in healthcare and with microorganisms and chemicals.
Vinyl gloves are a less durable option than nitrile gloves if you need to find something cheaper for low-risk tasks. Check our guide on different types of disposable gloves to find out which ones you need.
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Nitrile Gloves in Beauty and Aesthetics
In beauty salons, aesthetics clinics, and tattoo shops, staff are at risk of bloodborne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, and prolonged exposure to water, all of which can be dangerous to their health. They need optimum protection from the proper disposable gloves.
- Tattooing and piercing
- Cosmetic procedures
- Hair colouring
The HSE guidance on selecting gloves at work states that:
“Prolonged or frequent contact with water, particularly in combination with soaps and detergents, can cause dermatitis. 'Wet work' is the term used to describe tasks in the workplace that can cause this. To protect the hands from 'wet work' choose a glove that meets the European Standard EN374-2. This shows that the gloves are waterproof.”
In hair salons, stylists are exposed to water through repeated hair washing, handling wet hair, and using products that require regular hand washing. The use of disposable gloves can mitigate over-exposure to wet work.
Can you use nitrile gloves for bleaching hair?
Hair stylists wonder, ‘can I use nitrile gloves with hair dye or bleach?’ Nitrile gloves are the best option to prevent allergic reactions and irritations from chemicals found in hair dyes and hydrogen peroxide.
A study on glove use against contact allergens in hairdressers measured the protective qualities of vinyl, natural rubber latex, nitrile, and polyethylene gloves. The results found that
“Eczematous reactions were found when natural rubber latex, polyethylene and vinyl gloves were tested with the dye. The nitrile gloves gave good protection, even after 60 min of exposure to the hair dye.”
Beauticians are also at risk of harsh chemicals, especially with repeated use, so nitrile gloves provide vital defence. However, the best gloves for nail technicians are generally latex or vinyl, as acetone (found in nail polish remover) will cause nitrile gloves to break down.
Black gloves are the best nitrile gloves for tattooing and piercing as these provide clear visual distinction between the worker’s skin and the client’s to avoid any mishaps. Black gloves also mask any ink smudges and look more slick and professional.
But it’s not just aesthetics that make nitrile gloves the best for tattooists and piercers. Their nick and puncture-proof quality means hands are protected from accidental cuts when working with needles.
Bee Keeping
Nitrile gloves are used in beekeeping, but not for the reason you might think. While nitrile gloves are puncture-proof and offer a much better level of protection from stingers than other gloves like latex or vinyl, a bee could certainly sting through one if it wanted to.
Beekeepers have found that bees are less likely to sting nitrile gloves than other types of gloves used, like leather, because it’s possible bees do not recognise nitrile as something worth stinging. While leather is a more organic material, nitrile is synthetic, and bees have been known to ignore it. When bees sting, a pheromone is released, leading more bees to sting, so discouraging any stinging is the best way to go, and nitrile gloves are a great option.
Nitrile gloves also provide a hygienic environment for bee keepers’ hands, so any stings and cuts will be kept safe from infection while they work. Find the best nitrile gloves for beekeeping on our website. Browse our thick black nitrile gloves or blue or purple variations to help you see bees more easily.
Where shouldn’t nitrile gloves be used?
Nitrile gloves should not be used for the following:
1. When exposed to or working with
- Ketones
- Halogenated hydrocarbons
- Alcohols
- Ethers
- Aromatic hydrocarbons
- Esters
- Strong acids
- Amines
See the table above for a complete list of chemicals that nitrile gloves have weak resistance to.
2. When exposed to temperature extremes for prolonged periods of time. While nitrile gloves can resist brief contact with heat, they will become compromised eventually. If you will be exposed to heat or cold extremes for longer than an occasional touch, disposable nitrile gloves won’t protect you, and you should look for a more heavy-duty glove.
3. When exposed to dangerous heavy machinery. A heavier, thicker, more protective glove is needed if you will be exposed to harsh, sharp, abrasive machinery or materials.
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