Disposable Gloves

About Disposable Gloves

Disposable gloves are essential personal protective equipment for tradespeople, industrial workers, and DIY enthusiasts across the UK. Designed for single-use applications, these gloves provide a hygienic barrier between your hands and potentially harmful substances including chemicals, oils, paints, and contaminants. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of disposable gloves from trusted brands including Polyco, Scan, Sealey, and Sirius, offering both nitrile and latex options to suit different tasks and user requirements.

Nitrile gloves are particularly popular among tradespeople due to their excellent chemical resistance, puncture resistance, and latex-free composition, making them ideal for those with latex allergies. Latex gloves offer superior flexibility and tactile sensitivity for precision work, whilst heavy-duty variants provide enhanced durability for demanding applications. Available in various sizes and thicknesses, these powder-free gloves typically come in boxes of 100, providing convenient bulk supply for workshop and on-site use whilst ensuring compliance with HSE regulations and COSHH requirements.

Applications

Disposable gloves are used across numerous trades and industries throughout the UK:

• Automotive technicians and mechanics: Protection when handling oils, greases, fuels, and automotive chemicals during vehicle maintenance
• Painters and decorators: Keeping hands clean when working with paints, solvents, varnishes, and primers
• Plumbers and heating engineers: Hygienic protection during installations, repairs, and maintenance work
• Electricians: Handling cables and components in dusty or contaminated environments
• Manufacturing and assembly workers: Component handling, quality control, and production line tasks
• Cleaners and maintenance staff: Essential protection when using cleaning chemicals and handling waste
• Laboratory technicians: Handling chemicals, samples, and potentially hazardous materials
• DIY enthusiasts: Home improvement projects, vehicle maintenance, and general workshop tasks

Choosing The Right Disposable Gloves

Material type: Nitrile offers superior chemical and puncture resistance and is latex-free, making it ideal for automotive, mechanical, and chemical handling tasks. Latex provides better flexibility and tactile sensitivity for precision work but may cause allergic reactions in some users.

Thickness and durability: Standard gloves (4-6 mils) suit light to medium-duty tasks, whilst heavy-duty options (6-8+ mils) like the Polyco Bodyguard Finite or Sealey Diamond Grip offer enhanced puncture and tear resistance for demanding applications. Thicker gloves provide better protection but may reduce dexterity.

Grip and texture: Textured or diamond-grip gloves are essential when handling oily, wet, or slippery materials. Smooth gloves are adequate for dry work and general handling.

Size and fit: MyToolShed.co.uk stocks sizes from small through to extra-large. Properly fitted gloves are crucial for safety and comfort—gloves that are too loose can catch on tools, whilst those too tight may tear easily.

Standards compliance: Check that gloves meet relevant EN standards, particularly EN 374 for chemical protection, ensuring compliance with workplace safety requirements and COSHH assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between nitrile and latex disposable gloves?

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and offer excellent chemical resistance, puncture resistance, and are latex-free, making them suitable for people with latex allergies. They're generally preferred for automotive and chemical handling work. Latex gloves provide superior elasticity and tactile sensitivity, ideal for precision tasks, but some users have allergic reactions to latex proteins.

Can I reuse disposable gloves?

No, disposable gloves are designed for single use only and should never be reused. Once removed, gloves may be contaminated and their protective integrity compromised. Attempting to wash or reuse them can create microscopic tears that allow chemicals and contaminants to reach your skin.

Are powder-free gloves better?

Yes, powder-free gloves are generally superior for most applications. The powder can cause allergic reactions, contaminate work surfaces, and create issues when working with paints, electronics, or food. All gloves stocked by MyToolShed are powder-free, meeting modern professional standards whilst reducing contamination risks.