Cleanroom Gloves: Are You Using the Right Ones?

The chemicals used, allergies, glove change frequency, and type of work carried out need to be considered. But are you maximizing your efficiency by using the right glove? Let’s firstly look at the kinds of glove suitable for these critical environments:

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile Rubber is more resistant than natural rubber to chemicals, oils, and acids, and it also has superior strength. They have excellent dexterity properties and a micro-roughened finish on the surface of the glove, which gives a non-slip grip regardless of whether gloves are wet or dry, making them incredibly versatile. Nitrile glove benefits are used across a broad spectrum of industries, although commonly referred to as “Medical Gloves.”

Suitable for a range of situations which include:

Providing an alternative solution where latex allergies are a consideration

Protecting people from blood-borne pathogens or other environmental contaminants

Medical and dental professionals

Operators in laboratory settings

When working with new fresh adhesives or ink. E.g., tattoo artists and therapists in spas/salons

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Latex Gloves

Latex boasts a more comfortable and “natural” feel of a second skin with a higher chemical resistance than synthetic alternatives. As a natural material, biodegradable and environmental qualities are also much more sustainable compared to synthetic derivatives.

Their use covers a wide range of applications, including examination, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, especially within the medical industry. However, with their high tensile strength and puncture resistance properties, they can also be used in sterile manufacturing environments.

Latex gloves are suitable for a range of tasks which include:

Medical, dental and veterinary settings

Childcare and senior care

Food processing and catering

Hairdressing and cosmetic procedures

Janitorial and sanitation

Automotive

Manufacturing

Crime-solving and forensics

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Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl cleanroom gloves are a cost-effective alternative to natural and nitrile materials. Being latex and powder-free, wearing vinyl gloves reduces the risk of allergies. Our Integrity 12 inch, ambidextrous vinyl glove also features a high level of static resistance, essential when handling static sensitive equipment within ESD protected areas.

Benefits of vinyl gloves include:

Latex-free

A looser fit, so are easy to don

An economic option

Suitable for short-term, low-risk use

Have anti-static properties

Are ideal for use with non-hazardous materials

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Heat resistant gloves

Operating industrial heating equipment, working close to high-temperature material, or working with hot components, requires correct hand protection to ensure user safety and maintain critical standards.

Some of the benefits of heat resistant gloves are:

Liquid-proof design, ideal for wave solder operations

Designed for a wide range of temperatures, in both wet and dry environments

The material resists solvents, fluxes, abrasions, and cuts

Non-shedding

Cleanroom packed in ESD-safe packaging for immediate use

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Nylon Glove Liners

Nylon glove liners reduce perspiration and limit skin irritation which can be caused by frequent gloving, especially with gloves manufactured from materials such as latex and PVC. Glove liners are therefore is of great benefit to all operators, but essential for those with naturally sensitive skin. Liners are of seamless construction to increase comfort, are reusable, and are ambidextrous. Our glove liners are ideal for use in controlled environments, laboratories, and manufacturing environments.

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Glove packing in cleanroom environments

Depending on the Classification of the cleanroom, it can be essential to consider glove packaging when deciding which to use within the cleanroom environment; this is an area often overlooked.  Conventional cardboard packaging may be appropriate in a general medical or dental setting, but not permitted in cleanrooms. Within a cleanroom setting, particulate control is as vital as sterility, and – as cardboard releases particles – it is best left out of the cleanroom.

If gloves are to be taken into a Cleanroom environment and packaged in cardboard dispensers, they should be decanted in a suitable prep area, and placed into cleanroom polybags. Then they should be taken into the cleanroom and placed into the glove dispenser.

Additionally:

Disposable cleanroom gloves should be packed in cleanroom polybags, which are manufactured in a clean environment, and can be cleaned before entering the cleanroom.

Sterile cleanroom gloves should be packed in individual pairs in non-particulate materials such as a polyethylene wrapper within a cleanroom outer pouch. This packaging is also manufactured in a cleanroom for ultimate guarantees of cleanliness.