Disposable Gloves

About Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are an essential piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) for tradespeople, industrial workers, and DIY enthusiasts across the UK. Designed for single-use applications, these gloves provide a hygienic barrier between your hands and potentially harmful substances, including chemicals, oils, paints, solvents, and contaminants. Whether you're working on automotive repairs, painting and decorating, handling industrial chemicals, or carrying out general maintenance tasks, disposable gloves offer convenient protection that can be quickly changed between jobs to maintain cleanliness and safety standards.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com includes nitrile, latex, and specialist heavy-duty options from trusted brands including Polyco, Scan, Sealey, and Sirius. Nitrile gloves are particularly popular among tradespeople due to their excellent chemical resistance, puncture resistance, and suitability for those with latex allergies. Latex gloves offer superior flexibility and tactile sensitivity, making them ideal for precision work, whilst heavy-duty variants provide enhanced durability for more demanding tasks. Available in various sizes and thicknesses, these gloves are powder-free to reduce contamination and typically come in boxes of 100 for convenient bulk use on site or in the workshop.

Compliance with HSE regulations and COSHH requirements often necessitates the use of appropriate hand protection, making disposable gloves not just a practical choice but frequently a legal requirement. Modern disposable gloves are designed to balance protection with dexterity, allowing you to handle tools, components, and materials effectively whilst maintaining the barrier protection you need. From lightweight examination gloves for light-duty tasks to diamond-grip extra-thick options for heavy industrial use, there's a disposable glove solution for every application.

Jargon Buster

• Nitrile: A synthetic rubber material that offers excellent chemical resistance, puncture resistance, and durability. Nitrile gloves are latex-free, making them ideal for users with latex allergies, and they're particularly suited to automotive, mechanical, and chemical handling tasks.
• Latex: Natural rubber material that provides superior elasticity, comfort, and tactile sensitivity. Latex gloves conform well to the hand and offer good protection, but some users may have allergic reactions to latex proteins.
• Powder-Free: Gloves manufactured without the cornstarch powder traditionally used to make them easier to don. Powder-free gloves reduce the risk of contamination and allergic reactions, making them the preferred choice for most professional applications.
• Mil Thickness: The measurement of glove thickness in thousandths of an inch (mils). Typical disposable gloves range from 4-6 mils, with heavy-duty options reaching 8 mils or more. Greater thickness generally means better puncture resistance but may reduce dexterity.
• Textured Grip: A pattern or coating applied to the glove surface (often on fingers and palm) to improve grip when handling wet, oily, or slippery materials. Diamond grip and raised patterns are common textures that enhance control.
• EN 374: The European standard that specifies requirements for gloves protecting against chemicals and micro-organisms. This certification indicates the level of chemical permeation resistance and helps users select appropriate gloves for specific substances.

Who Uses Disposable Gloves?

Disposable gloves are used across a wide range of trades and industries throughout the UK:

• Automotive Technicians & Mechanics: For protection when handling oils, greases, fuels, and automotive chemicals during vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Painters & Decorators: To keep hands clean when working with paints, solvents, varnishes, and primers
• Plumbers & Heating Engineers: For hygienic protection during installations, repairs, and maintenance work
• Electricians: When handling cables, components, and working in dusty or contaminated environments
• Manufacturing & Assembly Workers: For component handling, quality control, and general production line tasks
• Cleaners & Maintenance Staff: Essential protection when using cleaning chemicals and handling waste
• Food Industry Workers: To maintain hygiene standards during food preparation and handling
• Healthcare & First Aid: For medical examinations, wound care, and maintaining sterile conditions
• Laboratory Technicians: When handling chemicals, samples, and potentially hazardous materials
• Groundworkers & Landscapers: For protection during various outdoor tasks involving chemicals, fuels, and contaminants
• DIY Enthusiasts: For home improvement projects, vehicle maintenance, and general workshop tasks

How to Choose the Right Disposable Gloves

Material Type: Consider whether nitrile or latex is more suitable for your application. Nitrile offers superior chemical and puncture resistance and is latex-free, making it the go-to choice for automotive, mechanical, and chemical handling tasks. Latex provides better flexibility and tactile sensitivity for precision work but may cause allergic reactions in some users. If you or your colleagues have latex allergies, always opt for nitrile gloves.

Thickness & Durability: Standard disposable gloves (4-6 mils) are suitable for light to medium-duty tasks, whilst heavy-duty gloves (6-8+ mils) offer enhanced puncture and tear resistance for demanding applications. Thicker gloves provide better protection but may reduce dexterity, so balance protection requirements against the precision needed for your work.

Grip & Texture: Textured or diamond-grip gloves are essential when handling oily, wet, or slippery materials. Smooth gloves are adequate for dry work and general handling but may compromise grip in challenging conditions. Consider the typical conditions you'll be working in when making your selection.

Size & Fit: Properly fitted gloves are crucial for both safety and comfort. Gloves that are too loose can catch on tools or machinery, whilst those too tight may tear easily and cause hand fatigue. Most manufacturers offer sizes from small through to extra-large, and it's worth keeping multiple sizes in stock to accommodate different team members.

Powder-Free Options: Modern powder-free gloves are generally preferable as they reduce contamination risk, are cleaner to use, and eliminate potential allergic reactions to powder. They're particularly important when working with painted surfaces, electronics, or in food preparation environments.

Compliance & Standards: Check that gloves meet relevant EN standards for your application, particularly EN 374 for chemical protection. HSE regulations and COSHH assessments may specify minimum protection levels for certain tasks, so ensure your chosen gloves comply with workplace safety requirements.

Quantity & Packaging: Disposable gloves typically come in boxes of 100, providing good value and ensuring you have adequate supplies on site or in the workshop. Consider your usage rate and storage space when ordering, and keep a spare box to avoid running out during critical jobs.

Popular Accessories

• Workwear & PPE: Safety glasses, dust masks, and disposable coveralls from brands like Portwest and Scruffs to complement your hand protection
• Barrier Creams: Pre-work skin protection creams that provide an additional barrier beneath gloves
• Hand Cleansers: Workshop hand cleaners and wipes for thorough cleaning after removing gloves
• Glove Dispensers: Wall-mounted dispensers to keep gloves organised and easily accessible in workshops and on site
• First Aid Kits: Essential backup for any workplace, ensuring you're prepared for accidents and injuries
• Chemical Storage: Secure cabinets and containers for storing hazardous substances you'll be handling whilst wearing gloves
• Waste Bins: Designated disposal containers for used disposable gloves to maintain workplace hygiene
• Tool Cleaning Products: Degreasers and cleaning solutions for maintaining equipment after use

Safety Information

When using disposable gloves, it's essential to follow proper safety practices to ensure effective protection. Always inspect gloves before use for tears, punctures, or defects, and discard any damaged gloves immediately. Select gloves appropriate for the specific chemicals or substances you'll be handling, checking manufacturer specifications and EN 374 ratings to ensure adequate protection levels.

Remember that disposable gloves are designed for single use only and should be changed regularly throughout the working day, particularly after handling different substances or if gloves become torn or heavily contaminated. Never reuse disposable gloves, as this can compromise their protective properties and create cross-contamination risks.

Remove gloves carefully to avoid skin contact with contaminated outer surfaces, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after glove removal. Be aware that no glove provides unlimited protection – breakthrough times vary depending on the chemical and glove material, so consult COSHH data sheets and manufacturer guidance for specific exposure times.

Ensure compliance with HSE regulations and workplace risk assessments when selecting and using disposable gloves. Employers must provide suitable PPE free of charge and ensure workers are trained in its proper use. If you experience skin irritation, allergic reactions, or other adverse effects when wearing gloves, discontinue use immediately and seek alternative materials – switching from latex to nitrile often resolves latex allergy issues.

Store disposable gloves in their original packaging in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as environmental conditions can degrade the materials over time. Check expiry dates where provided, as glove materials can deteriorate with age, reducing their protective effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between nitrile and latex disposable gloves?
Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and offer excellent chemical resistance, puncture resistance, and durability. They're latex-free, making them suitable for people with latex allergies, and are generally preferred for automotive, mechanical, and chemical handling work. Latex gloves are made from natural rubber and provide superior elasticity, comfort, and tactile sensitivity, making them ideal for precision tasks. However, some users have allergic reactions to latex proteins. For most trade applications, nitrile is the more versatile and safer choice.

How many times can I reuse disposable gloves?
Disposable gloves are designed for single use only and should never be reused. Once removed, the gloves may be contaminated and their protective integrity compromised. Attempting to wash or reuse disposable gloves can create microscopic tears and perforations that aren't visible but allow chemicals and contaminants to reach your skin. For cost-effective protection, purchase gloves in bulk boxes of 100 from Tooled-Up, but always dispose of them after each use or task.

What size disposable gloves do I need?
To find your glove size, measure around your dominant hand at the widest part (usually across the knuckles, excluding the thumb) using a tape measure. Sizes typically correspond as follows: Small (178-203mm or 7-8 inches), Medium (203-229mm or 8-9 inches), Large (229-254mm or 9-10 inches), and Extra Large (254mm+ or 10+ inches). Properly fitted gloves should feel snug but not tight, allowing full finger movement without excess material at the fingertips.

Are powder-free gloves better than powdered gloves?
Yes, powder-free gloves are generally considered superior for most applications. The powder (typically cornstarch) used in some gloves can cause allergic reactions, contaminate work surfaces, and create issues when working with paints, electronics, or food. Powder-free gloves are cleaner to use, reduce contamination risks, and are now the standard in most professional environments. Modern manufacturing techniques have made powder-free gloves just as easy to don as powdered versions.

Do disposable gloves meet UK safety standards?
Quality disposable gloves from reputable brands meet relevant European standards including EN 374 (protection against chemicals and micro-organisms) and EN 420 (general requirements for protective gloves). These standards remain applicable in the UK following Brexit. When purchasing gloves for compliance with HSE regulations or COSHH requirements, check product specifications for relevant EN certifications and ensure the gloves are appropriate for your specific risk assessment and the chemicals or substances you'll be handling.