When a job calls for specific hand protection it is the responsibility of the employer to make a hazard assessment and then determine the best glove for the hazards that exist in a particular application. Once a glove is found or selected for duty, the next question usually is, “What size will I need?” Often employers are required to select more than one size for various employees that may have to don hand protection for various applications.
Ordering gloves too small or too large can result in delays in getting the job done, as well as possible hand injuries. When the selected hand protection is too small, the gloves can be uncomfortable and cause hand fatigue. If the glove material is stretched beyond its capabilities it will tear or rip easily when donning or wearing the glove which is wasteful and costly, as well as increasing the possibility of injury due to an unprotected hand. A glove that is too small can compromise hand dexterity for the wearer, so the chances of the end user not wearing the glove for intended purposes is likely. Then again, when you select hand protection that is too large, a safety issue can result with gloves getting caught into moving parts of machinery or snagged on jagged edges. A glove that is too loose can literally be pulled off the hand, or worse, could result in pulling a glove, hand or person into moving machinery.
It is important to know how to measure the hand to get the most proper fit of the glove to the hand. Measuring the hand for correct fit will give the employee the best possible protection without compromising the task, duty or safety of the wearer.
To find the correct glove size, you will want to measure around the hand (a dominant hand measurement is preferred) with a tape measure. The dominant hand will be the right if you are right-handed and left if you are left-handed.
If the gloves you are purchasing come in numbered sizes, you can relate the inch measurement of your hand directly to the numerical size listed for the glove. Example: if the measurement taken is 8 inches, then you would select a size 8 glove. If your taken measurement is over 8 inches then it is prudent to select the next size larger in order to avoid hand fatigue from a too small glove. If the gloves you are purchasing come in lettered sizes such as XS, S, M, L, XL these can be easily translated to a numerical size for easy selection. See the table for numerical and lettered sizing relation.
Since many gloves are offered in different lengths, it is important to determine the length of the glove you will need based on the task. Typically, the ideal length of the glove can vary depending on depth of immersion in a solution, or the level of splash protection required. To ensure the best protection of the hand, wrist and forearm, use this guide as a template for length measurement, and measure the length of the arm.
Taking the time to accurately measure and select the correct size of glove for your employees is crucial in providing adequate hand protection. Without correct-fitting gloves your employees have a higher risk of remaining unprotected in the workplace which can lead to unwanted hand injuries.
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