The Complete Buyers Guide to Vinyl Gloves

If you are considering making the move to vinyl gloves, this handy guide can help determine if it is the right choice for you.

Vinyl gloves are commonly used for food preparation and general house cleaning tasks, to keep hands protected at all times.
 
They are essential food handling room supplies for the catering industry to ensure hygienic standards are adhered to. Their looser fit makes them great for those working in food retail, allowing people to remove gloves quickly and easily when dealing with customers. Outside caterers rely on these gloves to maintain food hygiene standards, particularly when the usual sources of water for handwashing are not available. They provide full hand protection as well as reducing the risk of cross-contamination, particularly when preparing high risk foods. Once worn, they can simply be disposed of, rather than transferring germs to other parts of the kitchen.
 
They also provide protection during general housekeeping use, such as cleaning, changing bed linen, laundry and other similar tasks. They can protect your hands from all manner of bleaches, chemicals and abrasive substances, which could otherwise irritate the skin. You’ll keep clean hands and be fully protected, while offering a full range of movement and a textured grip.
 
Disposable vinyl gloves can also be used in the medical sector. Many medical professionals choose medical grade vinyl gloves for examinations and the treatment of patients. Vinyl exam gloves are particularly useful for people with latex allergies, as they are 100% latex free. This means there is no risk of skin irritation caused by latex, so everyone can use them safely and comfortably.

Medical grade vinyl gloves conform to AQL 1.5 CE Class 1 Medical grade standard and comply with BS EN 455. The BS EN 455 series of standards refer to the testing that must be carried out on medical gloves. Whilst the EN420, EN375 series of standards determine the PPE requirements for chemical and mechanical handling.

 Non-medical; grade vinyl gloves conform to AQL4.0, CE marked for Minimal Risk, in compliance with BS EN 420 PPE Regulation (EU02016/425.

Vinyl gloves are created using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The first stage of the manufacturing process involves adding a plasticiser to the material, which makes it flexible and ready to be used for protective gloves. If the plasticiser was not added, the mixture could be used to form materials such as PVC pipes. PVC is a wonderfully versatile and flexible substance, widely used across many different industries.
 
PVC is relatively inexpensive to make, which is why vinyl gloves are usually the cheaper option compared to nitrile and latex. Vinyl gloves are excellent for everyday use, as they come with a relatively small price tag while protecting your hands and whatever you are handling from contamination.

Vinyl gloves are completely latex free, which makes them a preferable choice for those suffering with latex and skin allergies. In some workplaces, employees may not know that they have a latex allergy. This is why some employers choose to kit their staff out with personal protective equipment (PPE) that is already latex free, such as disposable vinyl gloves, just in case. This eliminates the risk that someone will have an allergic reaction.

Vinyl gloves are not as strong and durable as latex when it comes to puncture and tear resistance and should not be used for higher risk medical purposes or when dealing with hazardous substances. Vinyl provides a good barrier for low risk procedures and because they are latex free and chemical accelerator free, are a good alternative to those with type I and type IV allergies.

 Vinyl gloves are typically cheaper to purchase than their latex or nitrile counterparts, making them excellent disposable gloves for everyday use.

Vinyl gloves are widely used for certain procedures and types of tasks in the medical sector. However, it is not recommended that you wear vinyl gloves if you may find yourself coming into contact with blood. The material has been proven to be impermeable to blood borne pathogens, including viruses. However, because the vinyl film is weaker compared to latex and nitrile it does have a higher chance of tearing during use and does not provide a close fit to the hand. Therefore, it is not advisable to use vinyl gloves in situations where there is contact with blood. Instead, you should choose a stronger glove that fits closely to the hand such as latex or nitrile. When it comes to hand protection and equipment supplies, safety is everything.

While ideal for everyday use and low-risk, low-impact tasks, vinyl gloves are not as strong and durable as latex when it comes to puncture resistance. For this reason, it is not recommended to use them for higher risk medical purposes or when dealing with hazardous substances.
 
Vinyl provides a good barrier for low-risk procedures - for example, when coming into contact with bodily fluids, drainage bags, body hygiene in medical environments, as well as during washing, laundry, general housekeeping and food handling. As they are latex free and chemical accelerator free, vinyl gloves are a good alternative for those with type I and type IV latex-related skin allergies.
 
Vinyl gloves tend to have a slightly looser fit than latex gloves, which usually fit closely around the hand for ultimate freedom of movement and dexterity.  

Vinyl gloves are waterproof and provide low chemical resistance, so can be used with detergents and low chemicals that have easily reversible effects. However, it is important you carefully check the specifications of the gloves you are purchasing, before using chemicals. It is recommended to use nitrile gloves for chemical handling.

Vinyl gloves are not usually recyclable but their packaging is. You should always aim to dispose of your vinyl gloves in a responsible way when working with them – in the general waste bin. Gloves that have come into contact with blood should be disposed of using local infection control guidelines.

Vinyl gloves have been certified for contact with food. However, they are not suitable for long-term handling of fatty foods. This is because over time, the material can start to erode.

Vinyl gloves are available in a range of bright colours and therefore are ideal for food preparation, as you can easily see any ripped or torn glove pieces in the food itself.

The powder used in vinyl gloves, to ensure they are easy to put on and remove, is corn starch. This ensures hands can smoothly enter gloves, as well as providing a level of sweat absorption during use, which makes the gloves more comfortable to wear. This can also help to reduce fatigue when wearing disposable gloves for a long time.
 
However, some people discover they suffer irritation caused by the friction of the powder in the glove. In these situations, powder free vinyl gloves are an ideal solution. There’s no powder, and no irritation. Powder-free gloves are also very useful in situations where contamination could be an issue, such as food preparation, production or manufacturing.

Vinyl gloves should be stored in a cool, dry place. You should refrain from breaking the seal on the packaging until you are ready to use the gloves inside. This is to ensure there is no damage or deterioration to the gloves, so they remain in perfect condition ready for use.

When choosing disposable gloves for your workplace, there are several things to consider. The first and possibly most important is the level of protection you need. Employers are advised to carry out a full risk assessment before buying personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves.
 
If you need light use gloves for low-risk or everyday tasks, vinyl gloves are a good choice. If you’ll be working with harsher chemicals or need more durable, hard-wearing gloves, latex or nitrile could be a more suitable option. 
 
Vinyl gloves are a good choice for a range of tasks and sectors, including patient examinations in hospitals, GPs and dental practices, as well as care homes and veterinary practices. They are also widely used in the catering, food production and food manufacturing industries, as well as in hair salons, beauty parlours and other environments where low-risk chemicals are used. Vinyl gloves are a top choice for cleaning businesses, as well as for everyday use. You can even use them for household cleaning and DIY.
 
Another consideration is budget. Vinyl gloves are one of the most affordable options for low-risk tasks, especially when bought in bulk. They may not last as long as other types of gloves, but they do offer good value for the hand protection and versatility they offer.

Here at Brosch Direct, it’s easy to find the right disposable gloves. Whatever the use and whatever you need, you’ll find it among our range of vinyl gloves. We have a selection of exceptional quality products in all sizes from extra small to extra large, featuring both lightly powdered and powder free options. Our vinyl gloves also come in a variety of colours depending on their required use, and the boxes are colour coded to make it easy for staff to access the right size gloves at a glance.