Rank: Super forum user 
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Has anyone any specific recommendations on gloves for garage mechanics? At present they are using disposable vinyl examination gloves which are next to useless and wearing these for extended periods. Their concern is the dirt that gets on their hands and have not (yet) received any info on the risks to their health from the engine oil and assorted other solvents passing through the gloves.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Depending on the work, if its light and requiring tactility, then a standard disposable nitrile glove would work. If the work is a little more robust, then a nitrile coated grip glove would be good. We use Skytec betas for the latter task with our engineers.
I'm sure there are many alternative gloves and suppliers if you Google it.
Speak to your PPE supplier, they will provably give you some trial samples.
Pete
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks Pete. No appointed PPE supplier yet!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Have quick internet search, I have used Greenhams and Arco in the past. I'm sure there are others, but their websites should give you an idea of what you are looking for.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Single use nitrile gloves will give you reasonable protection against oils and greases. They will also give you reasonable protection against brake fluid and diesel. Permeation breakthrough for diesel will be nominally between 120 and 240 minutes, but in reality in actual use is likely to be shorter. Against petrol and solvents such as xylene and toluene the permeation breakthrough time will be much shorter, probably only a few minutes.
Note that the manufacturers' permeation breakthrough times are in accordance with EN374-3 and are based on a static test in a laboratory. When factors such as flexing, stretching, abrasion, temperature, etc. are taken into account the real protection time can vary enormously.
Avoid the coated cotton gloves. The permeation breakthrough time on these can vary considerably as fibres from the cotton will reach up into the coating and once the chemical has permeated through to the end of the fibre it can wick down and eventually saturate the 'lining'.
If you need more PM me and I will try to help.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks Chris. I think disposable nitrile gloves may be the way forward here.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Rank: Forum user
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be interested to know if the mechanics have coveralls with pockets in them .Had a presentation a few years ago where a young ( late 20s mechanic) had developed a reaction to oils /grease etc on his bottom as he used to put his wiping oily rag into his back pocket and the grease /oil had soaked to his sink and over time he developed a fairly horrible sink rask .
regards
p
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Rank: Super forum user
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In a similar vein, don't forget Stokes v GKN - scrotal cancer case due to oily rags in pocket. I would hope that oils these days are safer in that regard, now that the risk is recognised.
LB
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Rank: Super forum user
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With regard to the oils, I think it is a mixed picture. Some chemicals have been taken out, other new ones have been introduced. However, from what I can glean the incidence of skin cancer due to oils is significantly lower in the U.K., probably due to increased awareness, COSHH, etc. I still see cases of dermatitis and oil acne though. I am more concerned at some of the other chemicals that will be present in the garage, such as the brake fluid, hydraulic oils, solvents, etc. and, where bodywork is done, the substances in the paints (isocyanates, MCI/MI) etc.
The most common problem is irritant contact dermatitis, and this can be caused by excessive wearing of gloves. Wearing of occlusive gloves is equivalent (or actually as we now know, is worse) than wet work. There is a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation about chemical protective gloves and I frequently encounter situations where the gloves being worn are not providing the protection that both employer and wearer believe they are getting.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thank you to all contributors and those who sent PMs.
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