When selecting hand protection, which factors should be considered?

• A. Based on hazard type (chemical, cut, abrasion), fit, comfort, dexterity, and compatibility with chemicals used.
• B. Based on color
• C. Based on price
• D. Based on popularity

Answer: (A)

When selecting hand protection, you’re looking to match the glove to the actual hazard and how the task will be done. The type of hazard drives the choice of material and design: chemical hazards need gloves with proven chemical resistance and low permeation rates for the specific chemicals, while cut or abrasion hazards require gloves that offer the right level of cut and abrasion resistance. The gloves also need to fit properly, because a good fit maintains the protective barrier and supports safe, precise work; gloves that are too loose can snag or tear, while ones that are too tight can cause fatigue and reduce dexterity.

Comfort and dexterity matter because they influence whether the glove is actually worn correctly and consistently during the job. If gloves are uncomfortable or hindering, workers may remove them or perform tasks unsafely, defeating the protection they’re meant to provide. Compatibility with the chemicals used is essential as well—some glove materials degrade or allow rapid permeation with certain substances, so selecting a material that resists the specific chemicals and considering factors like exposure duration, concentration, and temperature keep protection reliable.

Colors, price, or popularity don’t tell you whether a glove will protect against the actual hazards you face, so they’re not reliable criteria by themselves.