When is a Glove Not a Safety Glove?
If you procure personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products this post is an urgent call to action.
Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work and that an assessment is made to determine whether the personal protective equipment intended to be provided is suitable.
Yet a recent and shocking revelation from the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has shown that 90% of PPE from non-registered providers failed to meet the necessary criteria with seven test results still pending. Even more concerning is the fact that many of these substandard products are still available for purchase, placing unsuspecting users at significant risk.
Among the worst offenders? Safety gloves, with a staggering 95% failure rate.
To ourselves, this alarming statistic must beg the question:
When is a safety glove just a glove? The answer is simple-when it doesn’t provide the level of protection stated.
Quantity of Quality
The assumption that all gloves labelled as "safety gloves" meet industry standards is a dangerous misconception. Many of the substandard imports now flooding the UK market fail product claims for cut protection, abrasion resistance, and puncture resistance, leaving wearers exposed to mechanical injuries.
When it comes to workplace safety, opting for a cheaper “safety” glove that doesn’t perform as advertised isn’t just a waste of money; it’s a direct threat to a worker’s health and well-being.
Your Assurance of Safety
The BSIF’s latest findings reinforce the importance of sourcing PPE from reputable, registered suppliers. While the failure rate of non-member suppliers was 95%, BSIF-registered suppliers showed an impressive compliance rate of 86% of tested products passing rigorous standards.
One simple way to ensure that your gloves truly offer the protection they claim is to look for the BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Shield.
This mark of credibility guarantees that the PPE meets stringent UK safety regulations, including the correct UKCA and CE markings.
Why the Right Safety Glove Matters
A glove that doesn’t meet safety standards isn’t just ineffective-it’s outright dangerous. In industries such as waste and recycling, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, workers rely on gloves to protect against serious injuries and threats to their health. If a glove fails in real-world conditions, the consequences can range from painful lacerations to life-changing accidents or infections.
The Bottom Line
In an era where substandard PPE is worryingly prevalent, it’s crucial to remain vigilant. Simply wearing gloves isn’t enough; they need to be tested, certified, and proven to do their job for your team to safely do theirs.
Don't take risks, choose quality, compliance, and most importantly, choose wisely…
Look for the BSIF Badge.