Wearing gloves isn't commonplace in many automotive jobs-but it should be. Gloves, particularly nitrile gloves, can provide important protection to technicians working in the automotive repair and collision industry.

Workers may use gloves to protect their hands against burns, cuts, and vibration and impact that can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. However, toxic chemicals in paints, cleaners, gasoline and solvents also pose a serious threat. Chemicals can affect the internal organs, create skin problems such as dermatitis, redness, pain, or even cause cancer over time.

Nitrile gloves offer "good protection" against acids, bases, oils, solvents, esters and grease, as well as many chemicals used in automotive painting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an article, the EPA stated: "Nitrile gloves provide a better barrier to paints and organic solvents-the chemicals that are some of the toughest on gloves. Because they protect well and are durable, nitrile gloves offer good value for your safety dollar."

Other Advantages of Using Nitrile Gloves
Besides being cost-effective, nitrile gloves offer a number of other important benefits. They deliver a high level of protection because of their durability and strength. Nitrile gloves resist chemicals and they don't easily tear or puncture. They're also very flexible, soft and comfortable to wear. Plus, many nitrile gloves are textured to provide a non-slip grip that can makes it easier to hold onto objects. And because they're made of a synthetic material, they cause less irritation and allergic reactions than gloves made from natural latex rubber.

Guidelines for Nitrile Glove Use
It's important to use nitrile gloves with the right kind of chemicals for the best results. If nitrile gloves are used with the wrong chemicals, they'll quickly fall apart and expose users to hazards. It's important to note that nitrile gloves do not hold up well against methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), nitrobenzene, benzene, toluene or styrene.

Here are some other tips for nitrile gloves use from the EPA.

1. No glove will hold up indefinitely. Change your nitrile gloves more often with higher exposure to solvents and chemicals. Also, change gloves immediately if they show signs of wear, tears, punctures, or pinholes.
2. To keep your hands as healthy as possible, keep them clean inside your nitrile gloves and wash them after you have used the gloves. Dirt on your hands while you are using gloves can irritate your skin.
3. If you sweat with gloves on, make sure you wash your hands when you take the gloves off. A build up of sweat and moisture under nitrile gloves will irritate your skin.

Nitrile gloves can provide a high level of protection and comfort to automotive technicians. DonTheGlove.com offers nitrile gloves in small, medium, large and extra-large in both powdered and powder-free.