Free Tool · Chemical Glove Selection
Chemical Glove Selector: Match the Chemical to the Right Glove
Select the chemical category closest to what you are handling to see the glove type and standard typically required. Always confirm exact breakthrough times against the safety data sheet (SDS) for your specific product.
Solvents and Organic Chemical Contact
Acetone, toluene, adhesives and similar organic solvents require nitrile or butyl rubber gloves with documented Type A permeation resistance. General-purpose nitrile work gloves are not automatically chemical-rated.
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Acid and Alkali Handling
Battery acid, caustic soda and similar corrosive chemicals require neoprene or nitrile gloves with a Type A rating. Verify the specific breakthrough time listed on the SDS before extended contact.
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Oil, Grease and Fuel Contact
Nitrile gloves offer strong resistance to oils and fuels. Where sharp parts are also handled, combine chemical resistance with an EN 388 abrasion and cut rating.
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Biological Contamination Risk
Handling blood, bodily fluids or contaminated waste requires gloves marked for biological hazard resistance. Single-use nitrile or latex-free gloves are typical for most routine tasks.
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Low-Risk Wet Work
Cleaning with mild detergents or diluted irritants generally only needs a basic Type C rated glove, sufficient for brief, low-concentration contact rather than sustained immersion.
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Combined Cut and Chemical Hazard
Tasks such as trimming chemically coated materials or cleaning blades need a chemical-resistant glove with a cut-resistant liner, rated to both mechanical and chemical standards together.
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Occasional Splash Exposure
For brief incidental splash risk rather than sustained handling, a Type C minimum-rated glove is usually sufficient, provided exposure is genuinely short and low-volume.
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Unidentified Chemical Mixture
When the exact substance is unclear or several chemicals are mixed, consult the SDS permeation chart, select the highest-rated Type A glove available, and confirm with a supervisor before starting.
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How to Use This Tool
Choose the chemical category that best matches the substance you are handling. If you work with several different chemicals across a shift, check each one in turn – the required glove can change significantly between an oil-based product and a strong acid, even if both feel similar in your hands.
Why a Selector Tool Cannot Replace a Safety Data Sheet
This tool gives a general starting category, not a specific breakthrough time. Manufacturers publish exact permeation data per glove model and per chemical, and this can vary with concentration, temperature and contact duration. Always cross-check the SDS and glove manufacturer chart before relying on a glove for extended chemical contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does glove thickness matter as much as material?
Material is the primary factor, but thickness affects both breakthrough time and dexterity. A thicker glove of the same material generally resists longer but reduces grip and feel, which matters for tasks needing precision.
How often should chemical gloves be replaced?
Replace at the first sign of discoloration, swelling, stiffening or pinholes, and always before the documented breakthrough time is reached for continuous contact, even if no damage is visible.
Can I layer two glove types for extra protection?
Sometimes, such as wearing a cut-resistant liner under a chemical glove. Layering two chemical gloves of different materials is less reliable and should only be done following manufacturer guidance.
What does the Type A, B or C rating on EN 374 mean?
Type A offers the broadest resistance across a panel of test chemicals with longer breakthrough times, Type B covers a smaller set of chemicals, and Type C offers the shortest breakthrough times against a limited panel.
Are these results specific to my country regulations?
The results reference the EN 374 standard used widely across the EU and beyond. Always confirm against your local occupational safety regulations and your specific SDS.
Explore the full EN Standards Library for every standard referenced above, or read real Field Stories showing what happens when selection goes wrong.