Which Gloves to Wear When Working With Certain Metals

Do certain metals require different gloves than others? Simply put, the answer is not exactly. Holding a piece of steel, a piece of aluminum, and a piece of lead in your hand all have the same level of danger. The main exception to this is when the metal is rusted, which we will discuss later.

For the most part, the danger in working with metals is not in which metals are being used, but in how they are being used. Here are some scenarios: 

• Heavy loads of metals? You will see sprains and strains from improper lifting techniques. Plus, you can easily get cut if the metal is jagged or sharp.  
• Bulky, awkward loads of metals? You are more likely to drop something on your feet or bang your hands.
• Cutting, stamping, or welding metals? There are all kinds of opportunities for cuts and burns.

So while no metal is inherently more dangerous than any other, it is important to use metal types in a broader context.

Below are some guidelines for choosing the right gloves for working with different types of metals in different ways. 

Highly Conductive Metals

Copper and aluminum conduct energy very well, which means they heat up very quickly. If you are working with metals near heat sources, you will want a glove that offers thermal protection to avoid burns. DuPont™ Kevlar® is an excellent material for thermal protection and we offer a number of gloves made with it.

Metals That Melt

Any metal will melt at some point. Gallium will melt from the warmth of your hands, while tungsten melts at 6192°F. A worker will not be concerned with either extreme, only that they are wearing proper safety gear.

You will definitely need safety gear when deliberately melting metal. This is especially true when working around molten metal, which has been heated into a liquid.

For soldering, there are dozens of solder alloys and it is not worth covering all of them here, but any drop of solder can leave a burn on your hand. Since soldering often requires very fine manipulation and the temperatures are relatively low, many people choose not to wear gloves for this kind of work. No matter your choice, we always recommend having a lightweight DuPont™ Kevlar® glove nearby.

Welding, on the other hand, can be extremely hazardous, no matter what metals are being used. The heat levels involved in welding can not only damage the skin, but they can burn away deeper tissue and leave your hands with permanent damage. Fortunately, there are gloves designed specifically with welding protection in mind.  

One more thing to consider is that over 10 percent of all eye injuries are the result of welding.

Metals Covered in Lubricants

When you cannot grasp metal or materials, accidents and injuries occur. Wearing gloves with a good grip is important when you need excellent control over slippery metals. There are also a number of additional safety factors to consider when working with and around industrial lubricants.