If you’re working outdoors, having all the right clothing and accessories to make your job safer and more comfortable, is very important. From boots and jackets, to shoes and gloves, when you’re kitted out properly, you can work more efficiently and productively, something your boss will certainly thank you for!
With this in mind, it’s crucial that your employer invests in your safety and comfort, particularly when you’re working outside, exposed to the elements. While there are many different items of protective clothing you should be wearing, insulated leather work gloves are perhaps one of the most important. After all, the majority of outside work requires you to use your hands to varying degrees, and if your fingers won’t work because it’s so damn cold outside, just how much of your work are you going to get done?
Here we look at insulated work gloves in a little more detail, highlighting the six essential features that every high quality glove should have, and what your employer should look for when investing in them:
1. Comfort rating for temperature
Look for insulated work gloves that match the kind of temperatures and conditions employees will be working in. When shopping online, you should see that each type of insulated glove has a comfort rating, which will likely be included in the product description.
2. Made from a hardy material
One of the toughest, most durable materials for an insulated work glove to be made from, is leather. But that alone isn’t enough; you should also look for gloves that have additional toughness features, such as Kevlar thread, reinforced thumb crotches, and abrasion pads. Each of these extra features will aid the worker, but they will also help the gloves last longer, making them a much better investment.
3. Grip coatings
In any kind of outdoor setting, having a secure grip while wearing an insulated glove is imperative for productivity, comfort and safety. When searching for the right high quality work gloves for employees, look for those with grip coatings, which will ensure the safe handling of any number of tools and items of equipment, even in cold weather.
4. Impact resistance
If employees are engaged in work that puts them at a higher risk of injuring their hands, it can be helpful to buy gloves that are insulated, but which also impact resistance pads for enhanced protection. Still enabling the worker to use their hands with dexterity and flexibility, this particular feature is an important one for improved safety.
5. An ergonomic, flexible fit
An ergonomic insulated work glove is one that moulds itself to the shape of the hand, allowing the wearer to function efficiently with it on, and enhancing their comfort levels, particularly when worn for prolonged periods of time. Many newer work gloves are made using a specially designed fabric that increases flexibility when worn, and allows for unrestricted movement.
6. Water resistance
While insulated water resistant gloves might not be necessary under all circumstances, if employees are working outdoors on a rainy day, they can be an absolute game-changer in terms of productivity and comfort.
Provided insulated work gloves are of a high quality and purchased from a reputable source, they can help outdoor-working employees carry out the necessary tasks with increased speed and accuracy, especially if they include the important features outlined above.