Heat-Resistant Gloves
Hands are the most common burn site at work. Handling hot metal, pans, pipes or equipment without the right gloves leads to burns, drops and mistakes. The right glove depends on how hot the surface is and how long you will touch it.
- Welders
- Kitchen & Bakery
- Foundry & Industrial
Types of heat
- Contact heat: touching hot objects.
- Radiant heat: heat from furnaces and molten metal.
- Convective heat: hot air and gases.
- Sparks, spatter and molten metal from welding and cutting.
- Steam and hot liquids.
Materials
| Material | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leather (cowhide, split, goatskin) | Welding, light heat, spatter | Thick leather resists sparks; goatskin gives dexterity for TIG welding |
| Aramid (Kevlar) and similar fibers | Moderate contact heat, cut resistance | Does not melt; may need leather or coating for higher heat |
| Aluminized fabric | Radiant heat, furnaces, molten metal | Reflects heat; needs insulation for contact |
| Terry cloth, wool, cotton batting | General hot handling at moderate temperatures | Do not use when wet |
| Silicone-coated or silicone gloves | Kitchen, wet environments | Check temperature rating |
Read the rating
- Look for a contact heat rating (EN 407 performance level 1 to 4, which tells how long the glove protects at set temperatures, often 100 to 500 degrees C) or a stated maximum temperature.
- Choose a rating above the temperature you handle and for the time you need.
- Choose gloves with long cuffs or sleeves to protect wrists and forearms.
- Gloves should fit snugly but let you grip.
Using them safely
- Keep gloves dry. Wet fabric conducts heat and steam can scald through it.
- Inspect for holes, worn spots, charred areas and stiffness. Replace damaged gloves.
- Do not use gloves for temperatures beyond their rating; do not hold hot items longer than rated.
- Do not wear gloves near rotating machinery where they could be caught, and don't wear gloves with melting materials.
- Never wear a damaged glove that exposes skin to molten metal.
- Use tongs and tools for very hot items. See Hand Protection.
- For welding, use gauntlet gloves. See Welding Leathers.
Standards & references
- OSHA 1910.138: Hand protection
- EN 407: Protective gloves against thermal risks
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