Welding gloves are the piece of PPE your crew handles most, and the one most often chosen by price alone. On a shipyard or fabrication floor the wrong glove means burns, blisters and slow, clumsy work. Here is how to pick the right pair for each job.
1. Match the glove to the welding process
Different processes put very different demands on a glove:
- Stick (arc) and heavy MIG/flux-cored work throws a lot of spatter and radiant heat. Choose a thick, lined cowhide or split-leather glove with a long cuff that covers the jacket sleeve.
- Light MIG work needs a balance: enough heat resistance for spatter, but enough feel to guide the torch and handle wire. A medium-weight leather glove usually works best.
- TIG welding is about precision. Welders feed filler rod by hand, so a thin goatskin or kidskin glove gives the fingertip control they need. Heat and spatter are much lower, so heavy gloves are not required.
2. Check the standard on the label
In Europe and many Asian markets, welders’ gloves are tested to EN 12477. It splits gloves into two types:
- Type A – higher protection, lower dexterity. Suited to stick, MIG and gouging.
- Type B – higher dexterity, lower protection. Suited to TIG.
Many gloves also carry EN 388 (mechanical resistance: abrasion, cut, tear and puncture) and EN 407 (thermal hazards) markings. If a glove carries no standard at all, treat it with caution.
3. Look at the details that make a glove last
- Kevlar® stitching resists heat far better than cotton or polyester thread, which can burn through and split the seams.
- Reinforced palm and thumb patches protect the areas that wear out first.
- Lining (cotton or foam) adds heat insulation and comfort for long shifts.
- Cuff length of around 14–16 inches protects the wrist and forearm from spatter.
4. Get the fit right
A glove that is too big makes gripping the torch tiring and unsafe; one that is too small cracks at the knuckles and transfers heat faster. Have each welder try gloves on and make a fist. There should be no tight spots and no loose fingertips.
5. Replace gloves before they fail
Hardened, shrunken or oil-soaked leather gives much less protection. Replace gloves that have holes, burnt-through seams or stiff palms. Keep gloves away from oil and grease, which can ignite from spatter.
Need gloves for your crew?
Fong Yung Industries supplies welding gloves and other safety gear for shipyard, fabrication and oil & gas work in Singapore. Browse our EVO-Safe range or request a quote for bulk orders, and we will help you pick the right glove for each job.