Specialty Gloves

Standard work gloves provide general protection against abrasion, cuts, and minor impact. When your job involves hypodermic needles, arc flash exposure, or power tools with bone-jarring vibration, standard gloves become a safety liability. Specialty gloves are engineered for these specific hazards, providing protection that conventional safety gloves cannot.

Needle-resistant gloves protect against needle-stick hazards encountered during medical waste handling, law enforcement searches, or corrections work. Standard cut-resistant materials are designed for blade contact, not fine-gauge needle penetration, which concentrates force onto a much smaller surface area. Arc flash gloves shield electrical workers from thermal energy during electrical faults, where temperatures can exceed 35,000°F in milliseconds, requiring flame-resistant (FR) materials. Anti-vibration gloves combat Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a progressive nerve condition caused by prolonged exposure to mechanical vibration from power tools.

RX-Safety curates brands that meet specific ANSI/ISEA, ASTM, or ISO standards with third-party laboratory testing. Needle-resistant gloves need ASTM F2878 certification using actual 25-gauge hypodermic needles. For arc flash protection, we verify NFPA 70E compliance with documented ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value) ratings. For anti-vibration gloves, we require ISO 10819 testing that quantifies actual vibration reduction across frequency ranges.

When selecting specialty gloves, use our filters to identify the specific protection level your job site demands. OSHA regulations often specify minimum ratings; knowing whether you need an ATPV of 8 cal/cm² or ASTM F2878 Level 5 needle resistance ensures compliance and safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Each product listing includes the relevant standard and rating level. Needle-resistant gloves show ASTM F2878 levels (1-5), arc flash gloves display ATPV ratings in cal/cm², and anti-vibration gloves include ISO 10819 transmissibility data. Use our filters to search by required rating.

Arc flash gloves featuring inherent FR materials maintain protection through repeated washing when laundered per manufacturer instructions: typically avoiding chlorine bleach and high heat. Needle-resistant and anti-vibration gloves often allow handwashing with mild soap; always check care labels.

Measure your hand circumference at the widest point (usually across knuckles) and refer to the manufacturer’s sizing charts. Undersized gloves hamper dexterity and cause fatigue; oversized gloves compromise grip and can catch on equipment

Many modern specialty gloves include conductive fingertips to allow touch-screen operation for tablets, phones, or monitoring equipment. Confirm compatibility within each product listing.

Puncture resistance (ANSI/ISEA 105) tests against blunt probes. Needle resistance (ASTM F2878) tests against hypodermic needles with beveled points that slip between fibers. A glove can be highly puncture-resistant yet fail against needles, which is why medical waste handlers and law enforcement require needle-specific certification.

Some specialty gloves provide dual protection. Certain needle-resistant models offer splash resistance to bloodborne pathogens, while some anti-vibration gloves include oil resistance. Check product specifications for chemical resistance ratings.

Replace gloves immediately when there is visible damage: tears, worn areas, or compromised seams. Retire arc flash gloves after exposure to an arc event. Anti-vibration gloves lose effectiveness as polymers degrade, typically requiring replacement every 3–6 months with daily use. Replace needle-resistant gloves after any suspected needle penetration.

Arc flash gloves specifically protect against extreme thermal events. Needle-resistant and anti-vibration gloves have standard heat resistance for general industrial environments, but aren’t rated for extreme heat. For combined hazards, look for multi-rated gloves or layer appropriate PPE per safety protocols.

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Portwest A770 Safety Gloves
$18.57
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Portwest A771 Safety Gloves
$16.10
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Portwest A776 Safety Gloves
$18.57
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Portwest A780 Safety Gloves
$25.20
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Portwest A783 Specialist Safety Gloves
$37.35
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Portwest A784 Specialist Safety Gloves
$31.50
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Portwest A790 Anti Vibration Safety Gloves
$16.65
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Portwest A792 Specialist Safety Gloves
$67.25
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Portwest A793 Specialist Safety Gloves
$33.30
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Needle-resistant gloves are tested under ASTM F2878, which measures resistance to 25-gauge hypodermic needles, common in medical and correctional environments. This differs from ANSI/ISEA 105 puncture ratings, which test against blunt probes. A glove can have excellent puncture resistance against nails yet fail against a syringe needle’s fine, beveled point. Ratings range from Level 1 to Level 5.

Arc flash gloves must meet NFPA 70E and ASTM F1506 standards, with protection measured in ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value): the incident energy level at which fabric has a 50% probability of causing a second-degree burn. This value, measured in calories per square centimeter (cal/cm²), corresponds to Hazard Risk Category (HRC) levels. An HRC 2 task might require 8 cal/cm² rated gloves, while HRC 4 work needs 40+ cal/cm². These gloves use inherently flame-resistant materials that maintain protective integrity after repeated washing.

Anti-vibration gloves are evaluated under ISO 10819, which measures vibration transmissibility across HAVS-causing frequencies. Effective anti-vibration gloves reduce vibration in the critical 25-200 Hz range where power tools operate, using viscoelastic polymers that convert mechanical energy into heat and dampen vibration rather than padding against it.

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