Disposable gloves buying guide

Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves are under EU Health and Safety rules, officially an article of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and as such there is a duty on both the Management and users of gloves to carry out due diligence to ensure the safety of the glove user.
The following information is provided to help you assess and determine what type of glove and glove material would best suit your requirements.
Within this guide we have not attempted to determine which glove you should choose as there are too many variables to be considered which means that each department will need to assess the environment in which they work, the procedures being carried out and the materials to be used and tested.

Disposable gloves types

Disposable gloves are made from a variety of different materials, all designed to fulfill a specific purpose or purposes:

Disposable Vinyl glove(PVC)

Advantages: A cost-effective alternative to latex for glove wearers who are allergic to soluble proteins or residual chemicals in NRL gloves (low risk procedures only).
Disadvantages: Not a good barrier material against blood-borne pathogens or chemicals.Vinyl is more susceptible to pin holing than either latex or Nitrile. Vinyl material is more 'friable' and can degenerate whilst being worn when in contact with rough surfaces on instruments or items being handled in the procedure or task. Vinyl material can cause hand fatigue when worn for long periods of time.

Disposable Nitrile glove

Advantages: Nitrile glove contains no residual protein and is a good alternative to latex for glove wearers who are allergic to the soluble proteins in latex. An effective barrier against most substances including blood-borne pathogens. Is in general a better barrier against chemicals than NRL.
Disadvantages: It is not as flexible as latex, which can cause hand fatigue in glove users who need to wear glove for long periods of time. It is more expensive than latex but is still a cost effective barrier material.

Disposable Latex glove(Natural Rubber Latex)

Advantages: Effective barrier against most substances including blood-borne pathogens. The material is very thin allowing a high degree of sensitivity. The material is very strong and flexible. The material's molecular structure reduces the incidence of pinholing or tearing when carrying out procedures/ tasks. As the material comes from a natural renewable source (rubber trees) it is 'environmentally friendly'. The material is cost effective.
Disadvantages: Residual soluble proteins in NRL can cause allergic reactions in some glove users. As a natural material NRL is not generally a good barrier against chemicals.


Disposable Pe glove(Poly,Plastic)

Advantages: They are cheap in price. Fine for simple protection to keep hands clean.
Disadvantages: Offer little practical protection. Very loose fitting and very smooth - makes handling implements and carrying out tasks/procedures difficult.