Serious work-related hand injuries are still high – but can be avoided with the right gloves.
Unfortunately, serious hand injuries including major cuts, loss of fingers, and severe long-term crush or impact injuries continue to be some of the most common types of injuries on worksites in Australia.
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However, we know many tradies often have a variety of reasons for not wearing good quality cut or impact protection gloves. Some may find gloves uncomfortable or restrictive, while others may believe they are unnecessary or inconvenient.
However, new advances in premium cut protection gloves have seen significant improvements in both protection and comfort. The development of new materials and technologies has led to gloves that offer higher levels of cut protection, greater durability, inbuilt impact resistance, increased comfort and breathability as well as improved functionality and sense of touch.
One of the most significant advancements in cut protection gloves is the use of engineered yarns such as HPPE (high-performance polyethylene) and Kevlar®.
These materials are extremely strong and lightweight, providing excellent cut resistance and gloves that are much thinner, flexible, and breathable. Thus, allowing for better movement and reducing hand fatigue with workers wanting to wear gloves for extended periods. Another recent innovation in cut protection gloves is the use of nanotechnology. Some gloves are now treated with nanoparticles that create a protective barrier against cuts and punctures.
This treatment does not affect the flexibility or breathability of the gloves, making them more comfortable to wear. New technologies have also led to gloves with improved grip and dexterity. Some gloves now feature specialised coatings
or textures on the palms and fingers, providing better grip and control when handling tools and equipment.
Additionally, some gloves now include touchscreen compatibility, allowing tradies to use their smartphones and other devices without having to remove their gloves. Another benefit of premium cut protection gloves is their durability.
Ordinary work gloves can wear out quickly, especially where the hands are constantly exposed to rough surfaces or sharp objects. Cut protection gloves are designed to withstand such conditions and can last much longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Not all cut protection gloves are created equal
It is important to note that not all cut protection gloves are created equal though. Gloves such as the Ninja Razr Slash-
Tec range of cut protection gloves use unique manufacturing methods with aramid fibres like Kevlar® to provide either Cut D or the highest Cut Level F, full 360 degree cut protection, and are more lightweight and ergonomically designed, providing a better fit and breathability.
The gloves are finished with a class leading palm coating of Nitrile New Foam TechnologyTM (NFTTM), which not only offers some of the best abrasion resistance on the market, but durability, grip, as well as contact heat resistance. The Ninja Slash-Tec range also includes a Cut F glove featuring solid impact protection on the back of the hands and fingers to reduce the risk of impact and crush injuries.