• Water resistant vs. waterproof safety gloves
• Technologies used to achieve waterproofing in safety gloves
• Questions to ask before choosing water protection

While the terms waterproof and water resistant are used interchangeably there are differences in the level of water protection they provide.

Water-resistant gloves repel water but are not completely impervious to water penetration. In this method, a water-resistant (hydrophobic) chemical is sprayed on the exterior material of safety gloves which helps create a barrier to prevent fibers from soaking up liquids.

Water-resistant treatment can be used on leather, mechanics style, and string-knit gloves. However, it offers a temporary solution as the spray-on chemical eventually wears off with repeated use and exposure to water. For this reason, water-resistant gloves offer the best protection against incidental exposure to water without full hand submersion.

Waterproof gloves are made with solid and impermeable layers that make it almost impossible for water to pass through. This makes them ideal for tasks that involve full hand submersion or consistent exposure to water.

Chemical gloves coated with a polymer such as nitrile, PVC, or latex are considered waterproof as they exhibit inherent water and chemical resistant properties that prohibit water penetration. Similarly, disposable gloves constructed of the above-mentioned polymers are also considered waterproof.

Waterproof lining can also be used to achieve waterproofing in leather, string knit, and mechanics style gloves, discussed next.

Membrane liners (or impermeable layers) are used for waterproofing safety gloves. This method involves inserting a layer of waterproof material (plastic base) into gloves to keep hands dry and comfortable in wet conditions. There are two commonly used construction methods to achieve waterproofing in safety gloves.

Safety gloves constructed with double-layer waterproofing feature a waterproof outer layer and an inner layer for comfort. The outer layer protects against water, while the inner layer provides breathability and helps wick moisture (sweat) away from the wearers’ hands. These waterproof safety gloves are lightweight, which adds to the comfort and ease of use. To understand the double-layer construction better, think of a rain jacket with a lining: the outer layer keeps you dry, while the soft inner lining adds a cozy touch.

Limitation: One apparent drawback of the double-layer construction method is that if the outer layer is damaged, it compromises the waterproofing of the gloves.

In the triple-layer construction method, a membrane is sandwiched between an outer protective layer and an inner liner. The outer layer is usually made of materials that offer mechanical protection required for the task like cut, puncture, abrasion etc., whereas the inner layer is intended for comfort and breathability. Materials like nylon and cotton are popular choices for the inner layer. The most commonly used material for the waterproof membrane is polyethylene.

The triple-layer construction provides more durability (i.e., protection against wear and tear) and better breathability compared to other construction methods. However, it is also more costly.

For leather, string knit, and mechanics style safety gloves, the waterproofing membrane is inserted in between two layers. The inner layer is stitched with the outer layer without the stitches going through the membrane to avoid puncturing and damaging it.

Limitation: Because of the three distinct layers, a drawback of this technique is that it can lead to slippage between materials which can reduce glove dexterity and sense of feel.

For some string knit gloves, the waterproofing membrane is laminated in between the outer and inner layers. This process allows all three layers to unify as a single layer, so there is no slippage between any materials

Water is rarely a standalone hazard in many situations. In wet environments, you not only have to choose the gloves that offer the best water protection for your workers but also protection from the other possible hazards like cut, cold, and abrasion, among others.

Before deciding on water-resistant gloves, ask a few questions to ensure you choose the best option for the task:

Is the water exposure incidental or consistent? Is it splashes or is it submersion? If your workers are only sometimes exposed to water that does not require full hand submersion, water-resistant gloves are sufficient, if not, then waterproof gloves will likely be a better option.

What other hazards are present? If your workers are dealing with abrasive materials, tools, or equipment that present other hazards like cut or puncture, you may want to choose waterproof gloves made with a triple-layer construction method as it includes an additional layer on top to protect the waterproof membrane.

Are your workers working in cold environments? If yes, choose waterproof gloves with winter lining as wet hands in the cold exacerbate the risk of hypothermia

Will the hands be submerged past the wrist? If yes, choose water-resistant gloves with longer cuffs and where the waterproofing treatment extends all the way to the cuffs. With both, water-resistant and waterproof gloves, water can penetrate between skin and cuffs and compromise its protection.