A glove’s gauge is used to determine its dexterity and thickness at a glance. Thanks to the protective glove’s gauge, users immediately know how thin it is.
Definition of a glove gauge
Originally, the gauge is a unit of measure to determine the density of needles on a knitting machine, contained in one English inch (2.54 cm). Therefore, only seamless knitted work gloves have a gauge number. It is this number that will then define the glove’s dexterity level. To provide good hand protection at work, it is essential to choose a pair of gloves with a gauge adapted to the risks involved.
What is the point of knowing the gauge of a professional glove?
Knowing the gauge of a professional glove is necessary to find your way around the different types of protective gloves on the market. If operators need to do precision work or need a particularly high level of protection from thermal hazards, for example, they will not choose the same glove gauge. Indeed, as it is used to measure the thickness of the threads used to make the gloves, it makes it possible to define their thinness or thickness. Thus, the higher the glove’s gauge, the finer the knit. The glove dexterity is then optimised and offers a good grip; the tactile sensation is present.
Conversely, the lower the glove’s gauge, the thicker it is. The dexterity is certainly lower, but the level of thermal protection becomes much higher. For light work and fine handling, a glove with a high gauge is perfect; for heavy work, a low gauge offers greater resistance.
Glove gauge: one criterion amongst others to choose professional gloves
Of course, the glove gauge is not the only criterion for choosing professional gloves. Remember, the gauge is an indicator that is only valid for seamless gloves. There are other characteristics that are important in choosing a quality, strong glove that meets the needs expected of personal protection equipment.
These includ
- The glove material: leather (bovine, lamb, goat, full grain leather, cowhide), cotton, latex, nitrile, neoprene gloves, PVC work gloves, polyurethane protective gloves, Kevlar gloves… the list is long. Each material has a property and strength adapted to a specific working environment.
- The threads used to make the glove: their number, theirs and their material impact the user’s protection and comfort.
- Glove assembly: very strong American assembly gloves, seamless knitted gloves for optimum comfort, unsupported dipped gloves for perfect waterproofing, town assembly or “fork” assembly for good dexterity gloves thanks to the gussets between the fingers, flat cut and sewn assembly ideal for ambidextrous work gloves
- The glove coating: palm only coating for better breathing of the wearer’s hand, three-quarter coating which covers the palm and back of the hand for better protection, full coating for total protection from liquids, double coating which provides both a better grip and good dexterity. There are even special so-called crepe or studded coatings for better adherence.
- The glove size: this is essential for the gloves to act like a second skin.
The different glove gauges: for what types of work?
What glove gauges are there?
Each glove gauge has its own protection. The most common protective glove gauges range from number 7 to number 18. Each of these numbers corresponds to different levels of resistance to the cut, abrasion, tear, perforation, etc. risks inherent in mechanical work.
- Gauge 7 defines a large stitch for gloves suitable for heavy handling.
- Gauge 10, medium stitch, is recommended for slaughtering, fish scaling and cutting work in the food industry for example.
- With the 18 gauge, the very fine stitch gives extremely lightweight and supple gloves that can cover multiple risks in all industries.
Focus on Lebon Protection 18 gauge gloves
At Lebon, we offer three models of 18 gauge gloves, for optimal dexterity:
- HYPERFIT: Hyperfit gloves comply with the European EN 388 standard. Their palm and fingertip coating makes them very strong, and they are also compatible with touch screens.
- SKINFIT®SD: ultra-lightweight, these gloves meet the European EN 388 and EN 16350 standards. They are also Dermatest certified, thus ensuring excellent user skin tolerance.
- FLEXFIT: with an intermediate level of cut protection, these gloves are a good compromise between cost and safety.
Protecting hands well in everyday daily work is vital to safe work. By choosing suitable protective gloves, the risk of occupational accidents, which are still too frequent, can be greatly reduced.