Why the Right Gloves Matter: Choosing the Best for the Job

When we think of essential health and safety gear, things like sturdy footwear and hi-vis clothing are usually top of mind. But what about gloves? They’re one of the most used (and often misused) pieces of PPE across almost every industry. The right gloves can protect your hands, improve your grip, and help you work more efficiently. The wrong ones? Not so much.

In fact, a 2020 study found that hand injuries make up over 20% of all workplace injuries. What if many of those could’ve been avoided just by choosing the right gloves?

The problem isn’t a lack of options—if anything, there are so many choices it can be overwhelming. Add in the fact that different industries have different glove needs, and it’s no wonder businesses have a hard time supplying (and enforcing) the right gloves.

In this article, we’ll break down why good gloves are so important, the hidden costs of choosing the wrong ones, and how one business is making it easier to find the best gloves for the job. Keep reading!

Not All Gloves Are Created Equal

When it comes to hand protection, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Welders need heat protection; butchers need cut protection and healthcare professionals need gloves so thin they act as a second skin. Different tasks, environments and risks call for different materials, coatings and cut levels. But too often, businesses try to find a single glove that ticks enough boxes that it can be used between departments. The result? Everyone compromises.

Having the wrong gloves for a task doesn’t just lead to increased workplace injuries, it also reduces grip and dexterity, slowing your staff down. Ill-fitting or poor-quality gloves also often wear out faster, meaning you need to replace them more frequently. Let’s explore these hidden costs in a bit more detail.

 

The Hidden Costs of Choosing the Wrong Gloves

It can be tempting to grab the cheapest gloves that technically “meet requirements” and then call it a day. But in reality, cutting corners on hand protection often costs more in the long run - not just in terms of money, but in productivity, safety and compliance too.

Injuries and lost productivity

Using the wrong gloves is one of the biggest contributing factors to workplace hand injuries. Cuts, burns or chemical exposure can take a worker off your site for days, if not weeks. Not only does that have a huge impact on the injured individual, but it also has knock-on effects, creating more work for the rest of the team and extra admin for your H&S staff. Injuries that are more serious can even result in downtime, medical costs and questions about liability.

Cheap gloves = more replacements

Cheap gloves wear out fast. Thin materials tear easily, coatings wear off, and before you know it, you’re ordering replacements far more often than expected. A slightly higher investment upfront in durable, well-suited gloves means fewer reorders and lower costs over time.

Compliance and safety risks

In many industries, certified PPE must be supplied to staff to meet health and safety regulations. Without a clear system, it’s hard to enforce compliance - especially on large worksites where managers can’t check every worker’s gear. If the wrong gloves are worn (or no gloves at all), your business risks violations and fines.

By putting a little extra consideration into the best gloves for the task, you can help avoid these expensive mistakes.

 

Traffi Gloves, Making Safety Simple

In the last few decades, choosing safety gloves has been anything but straightforward. Available in all manner of shapes, sizes and finishes, the team behind Traffi knew there had to be a better way. And so, the tricolour Traffi system was born.

The system consists of three colours which each represent a colour from the Traffic light system that everybody is familiar with. Red signifies ‘Warning’, Amber signifies ‘Be Aware’, and green signifies ‘Safe to Go’. The simplicity of the system makes the glove-choosing process so much easier for workers and provides managers with easy oversight, choosing and enforcing the right gloves for the job has never been easier.

Wherever you’re from, whichever language you speak, the Traffi System overcomes any language barriers in a workplace where multiple nationalities are present. It’s entirely visual, and with colours being the main theme, there is no requirement for there to be a common tongue. And, if workers aren’t adhering to this, the glove colour can be seen from a distance, so it’s easy to take quick action.

Colour:	What it Means:	When to Use:
Red – Warning	Basic protection	General handling, warehouse work, low-risk tasks
Amber – Be Aware	More protection	Tasks with moderate cut risks, like construction or assembly
Green – Safe to Go	Maximum protection	High-risk jobs, such as glass handling or working with sharp metal

 

Could Your Business Benefit from Traffi Gloves?

Any business that employs staff who are at risk of damaging their hands can benefit from adopting the Traffi system. If you have a large workforce and need to ensure compliance with PPE regulations, you’ll find the switch particularly beneficial. Some of the industries where the Traffi system has been most successfully implemented are:

Construction – Handling sharp materials, operating tools, and lifting heavy objects all require the right level of cut protection.

Manufacturing – Whether working with assembly lines, machinery, or sharp components, choosing the right glove is essential.

Warehousing & Logistics – From handling boxes to moving stock, workers need grip, dexterity, and protection without losing efficiency.

Glass & Metalwork – High cut risks balance maximum hand protection without compromising on flexibility.

Trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Mechanics) – Balancing dexterity and protection for workers who need both grip and precision.

Whatever your sector, if your current gloves aren’t working for you, it may be time to consider making the switch to Traffi.

 

Protect Your Team with Traffi Gloves

Hand protection isn’t just about ticking a compliance box - it’s about keeping workers safe, improving efficiency, and cutting unnecessary costs. Whether you’re looking to reduce workplace injuries, cut down on unnecessary glove waste, or simplify PPE compliance, Traffi Gloves are a wise investment that makes safety simpler for everyone.

From general handling gloves for low-risk tasks to cut-resistant gloves for more dangerous environments, Westpeak stocks a wide range of Traffi gloves to give you the right level of protection. Browse the range now or get in touch to discuss the right fit for your team.