Fingerless gloves are considerably more expensive than the equivilant full fingered gloves. Is it considered acceptable to modify (cut off the tips) off gloves?

As I see it I have three options:

1. Issue gloves for engineers to cut off themselves (issuing instructions)

2. Cut them off before issue. To ensure consistancy.

3. Buy the proper fingerless gloves.

Also I am trying to introduce traffigloves (or their equivilant) and cannot find fingerless amber (4343) gloves anywhere.

In modifying the gloves yourself they are no longer as designed or tested by the manufacturer.

HASAW Section 8: No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

Of courrse under the PPE directive EU 2016/425 you could as "supplier" have these adjusted items type tested but it is far cheaper to buy the right equipment for the task.

Please excuse but I'm curious. Under what circumstances would you need anti-cut hands but not anti-cut fingers?

The majority of "fingerless" protective gloves are not wholly fingerless - instead they have two or three finger tips exposed https://www.arco.co.uk/products/14U1300?s=1 https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-performance-3-finger-framer-gloves-grey-large/41324 Normally used by those handling sheet type materials (glass or metal) where the cut protection is intended for the palm

Firstly, PPE, such as gloves, is always a last resort. Of course, ideal would be for them to use gloves with complete fingers, but what is this does not allow adequate dexterity. I have encountered system where this would raise a more significant risk of damage than wearing fingerless gloves. Given the phrase 'reasonably practicable' we often need to strike a balance when faced with two contradictory risk situations.

Unfortunately the initial posting did not indicate the reason why fingerless gloves were being sought. Without this information including the nature of the hazard, any history of damage to hands, etc.,  one can only respond in a general context. The risk assessment for the particular task will determine whether fingerless gloves proved an acceptable level of control. Perhaps thin Dyneema gloves with a thin PU coating on the palm might provide a satisfactory answer. From here impossible to say.

Two types of fingerless permitted in our business:

As thermal comfort for external workers

As a vibration liner with powered hand tools in conjucntion with over gloves

All other assessments identify chemical, abrasion or cut issues necessitating full hand / forearm protection.

The Safety Supply Company does orange Traffi Gloves at £5.95 a pair. 

Not only the weave unravelling - if you cut a leather glove you also go through the stitching which holds the components together allowing over time for the panels to separate.

I was interested to read this post on the forum.

Where i work operatives use a hot welding machine with a hot iron wedge as part of the equipment for fixing together two peices of PVC material. Initialy i was able to source some suitable heat resistant gloves with fingerless tips to ensure the operative could maintain dextrerity and grip to be able to move and manipulate the matieral on the machine, however these gloves became obsolete so instead purchased a different type heat resistant glove but with full finger covering and silcone dots up the inside of the fingers and palm to provide grip.

Upon issue of the new gloves they appeared to be of better quality material, however the supervisor advised the machine operatives they could cut off the finger tips, quickly i interjected and advised her in doing so would be a contravention of HASAW Section 8 and that although full fingered the operative would still be able to maintain dexterity and grip with greater increased protection than the previous gloves issued.

Just to be clear these gloves are to protect only against "accidental contact" with the hot wedge as the wedge is mostly protected with guarding.

Clearly PPE must always be the last form of protection and hierarchy of control must be in place and followed but where possible a substitute to an alternative superior product should be sourced where possible.