The effects of various thicknesses of chemical protective gloves on manual dexterity

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects on manual dexterity of the thickness of handcovering. Twelve men were timed as they performed five dexterity tests while barehanded and while wearing each of three thicknesses of chemical protective gloves, 0.18 mm, 0.36 mm, and 0.64 mm. The subjects participated in 14 sessions held on consecutive weekdays. Analysis of the data from six sessions spanning the test period yielded significant main effects (p < 0.001) of handwear and of session on all dexterity tests. Mean times were best with bare hands and poorest with the 0.64 mm gloves. Performance with the gloves improved over sessions to the extent that the results with gloves approached or surpassed performance levels achieved with the bare hands during the early sessions. Regression analyses carried out on the data from the last three sessions revealed a linear increase in times to test completion as a function of increases in thickness of the handcovering. The occurrence of damage to the gloves, in the form of punctures and tears, was inversely related to thickness. The findings suggest that selection of the thinnest glove material compatible with protection from the chemical environment and practice working with the handwear will result in relatively efficient manual performance.

Laboratory assessment of the effect of heavy rubber glove thickness and sizing on effort, performance and comfort

“…A 15e30 per cent decrease in grip force transferred to an implement was illustrated when wearing gloves (Tsaousidis and Freivalds, 1997). In addition, manual dexterity is hindered with the use of gloves as thin as 0.64 mm (Bensel, 1993).…”

Clothing, Textiles, and Human Performance

“…0.64 mm) have been shown to adversely affect manual dexterity of the wearers (/;= 12 males undertaking five Clothing. Textiles, and Human Performance " dexterity tests, bare-handed, then with gloves of the thicknesses listed above) [162]. Mean performance times were best when hands were bare and poorest when participants wore the thickest gloves [162].…”

Relative roles of spatial and intensive cues in the discrimination of spatial tactile stimuli

“…Some additional measurements showed that the glove decreased the amount of penetration of the contactor into the skin by an average of 27% and the skin into the groove by 39%. The glove also increases the stiffness of the skin (Bensel, 1993;Brisben et al, 1992;Burke, Watts, & Wilson, 1989;Cunningham et al, 1992;Jackson et al, 1999;Novak et al, 1999;A. M. Phillips et al, 1997;S.…”