Wearing PPE on the job is essential. It keeps you safe from potential hazards and the elements while you work. It allows you to do your job effectively--everyone knows that a great glove protects your hands and allows you to get a strong grip on even the most slippery equipment!

It goes without saying that your PPE is going to get dirty. Whether it’s covered by a little (or a lot) of oil, dirt, chemicals, or other contaminants, your PPE is not going to remain as clean as it was the first time that you put it on. It is just as essential to properly launder your PPE at regular intervals as it is to wear it on the job. Why? Washing gloves provides several common-sense benefits:

• It extends the life of your PPE by getting rid of contaminants, which, if left on gloves, could eventually cause damage--holes, pulls, etc.--to fabrics.
• It allows you to maintain proper hygiene by removing odor-causing bacteria.
• It mitigates the risk of infection or injury by contaminants left on PPE after a job.
• It maintains your PPE’s professional appearance, which may be necessary if you need to interact with members of the public, company stakeholders, or other individuals as part of your job.
• It saves you money, as laundering is less expensive than repeatedly investing in new PPE.

All of the above points are excellent news for companies or workers looking to cut costs! Just keep in mind that laundering a glove can impact its performance over time, especially the coatings. Grip and abrasion scores may be impacted if the dip is removed or altered during laundering.