Disposable Gloves
Note: Please note that all information provided is general, and is an aggregation of and attributed to the sources included below. Use your own judgment and regulatory guidance to make decisions around PPE usage in the workplace.
Last Updated: 9/14/20
What is the difference between different types of gloves?
- Latex gloves are made of natural rubber latex, and are are very flexible and stretchy.
- Nitrile gloves are made of petroleum based synthetic material, and are better at resisting tears and punctures, and protect against hazardous chemicals.
- Polychloroprene gloves are latex-free, and provide the comfort and feel of Latex and the barrier and strength of Nitrile. They offer offers moderate resistance to oils and petroleum products, but provides significantly greater resistance to sunlight, ozone, and weather.
- Rubber gloves can be unsupported (rubber only) or supported (rubber coating of textile glove). Its primary purpose is protection of the hands while performing tasks involving chemicals.
How should disposable gloves be used?
The CDC recommends that workers wear disposable gloves during the following activities:
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
- Touching items also touched by customers or other employees, such as pens or merchandise
- Any physical human contact, such as at a nail salon
The CDC instructs that disposable gloves should be disposed after each use and should never be washed or disinfected. Gloves should always be changed if they are ripped or torn.
What should you look for when shopping for disposable gloves?
The CDC only comments on glove materials in medical settings, but notes many different materials, including nitrile, natural rubber, polychloroprene, and vinyl, can be used.
If gloves are used for cleaning purposes, the cleaning agent’s Safety Data Sheet should be consulted to ensure that it can safely be used with the glove material.
What are standards for gloves?
Gloves should be large enough to fit securely on the hands without wrinkling or tearing. As per the CDC, double gloving and extended length gloves are not necessary, even when providing care to COVID-19 patients.
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Detailed Sources
All guidance compiled from these public sources as of October 2, 2020. Please confirm guidance at the links provided below.
This PPE Information is intended to be used as a general guide for businesses. The PPE needs of your particular business and employees may vary significantly and each business is responsible for making its own decisions about those needs. All users should consult the links provided herein for the latest official health information, as the PPE Planning Tool summaries may not accurately reflect the current content of those official health links or the latest updates thereto. The State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (collectively, the “State”) is not responsible for the performance or accuracy of the PPE Planning Tool. By using the PPE Planning Tool, the user does hereby release any and all claims, causes of action, and demands against the State that are derived from its use.