Highlighting Heavy Duty Impact Cotton Gloves

Hands are often in harm’s way when at work.  In the oil and gas industry, more than 50% of injuries are to hands and fingers, with back-of-hand injuries making up a good chunk of that number. 

As we highlight on our Impact Protection page, major back-of-hand technological advancements took place back in 2008.  These improvements occurred as a result of the oil and gas industry embracing new glove guidelines, specifically on the drilling side.  Up to that point, the majority of hand injuries occurred when workers performed medium- and heavy-duty work while only wearing dotted or non-dotted cotton gloves.

Examples of medium- and heavy-duty work include:

• Handling pipes
• Handling tools
• Working around rolling and swinging objects

 
Drilling for oil requires many pipes

The new glove guidelines introduced in 2008 require thermoplastic resin (TPR) be added to the back-of the-hand.  At MCR Safety, our goal is to keep workers safe - and that means providing the best protective gloves across numerous industries.  For over a decade now, MCR Safety has answered the oil and gas industry’s call by innovating multiple new impact gloves.  There are now over 30 impact glove styles in our product line and the new ANSI/ISEA 138 impact standard is guiding all future glove designs.

While we specialize in producing PPE that utilizes the most advanced technological advancements, we also provide the PPE that customers demand.  Cotton gloves have been the most in-demand gloves for oil and gas workers throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s and early ‘00s.  Yet, when the new guidelines were established in 2008, they were the very glove deemed unacceptable PPE in the oil and gas industry.  Unacceptable, until now…

Heavy Duty Needs

Cotton gloves have been popular for a long time, and for good reason.  They are well-suited for light general maintenance tasks due to their oil absorption, cushioning, and insulating properties.  In addition, cotton gloves are cool, soft, flexible, and are a cost-effective PPE solution.  Unfortunately, they historically have not provided much protection against the bump, abrasion, and crushing hazards particular to the oil and gas industry.  MCR Safety has changed that.

MCR Safety’s cotton gloves are available in a variety of style options, including high-visibility color combinations, different palm patterns and weights, and yes, even with thermoplastic rubber (TPR) for back-of-hand protection.  Advanced designs, like our MC504 UltraTech multi-task, corded cotton double-palm glove, offer the perfect blend of time-tested materials and state-of-the-art impact protection. 

MC504 cotton impact glove

Before we move on to a more in-depth discussion of the new cotton impact technology, let us highlight the most popular cotton gloves that workers in the oil and gas industry have used for decades.

Top Selling Styles

As new technology emerges, MCR Safety is committed to incorporating new safety advances into our product line, while continuing to supply users with the styles they have some to rely on.  We do not simply abandon the old “tried and true” products for the newest ones.

Many workers in the oil and gas industry prefer a disposable glove that may only last for a short period of time.  When working around mud and oil, you cannot really blame someone for wanting to replace his or her gloves more often with a new pair.  Below are some of the top oil and gas cotton gloves relied on by many for general purpose, light-duty work.

Here are some of the reasons the above gloves have scored high customer ratings and continue to be fan favorites:

• 9018CDGB – Two layers of fabric are quilted together, strengthening critical wear areas and providing wearers with extra cushion. 
  Over the years, customers have commented that the cotton/poly blend of this glove doesn’t stretch as easily when saturated with oil, like a 100% cotton glove does.

• 9018CRPC – The red stitching and cuff of this glove have become a hallmark look that oil and gas workers prefer.  These gloves offer the same protection as and share similarities with the CDGB.

• 8800B  - This lighter-weight cotton glove will keep you a little cooler on hot summer days.  In addition, the orange dots help workers’ gripping power.

• 9018FRO – This hi-vis cotton glove is tested in accordance to ASTM F1358-08 for effects of flame impingement on materials.  It also meets ANSI Level 4 for contact heat.

For decades, these cotton gloves have provided workers with a barrier to the grime encountered on a drilling rig.

High-Tech Upgrade - TPR Impact 

The MC504 combines everything that’s great about the classic cotton work glove with the high-tech advances in impact protection we’ve made at MCR Safety to help keep hands safe. 

The MC504 work glove

Here are five reasons to choose the MC504 cotton glove:

1) Old-school meets modern manufacturing

The MC504 uses a rolling TPR design, providing back-of-hand protection without sacrificing mobility or comfort.

Technically speaking, the MC504 is not our first cotton impact glove.  Early designs, like the 943G, incorporated a foam padding back, which unfortunately restricted hand movement.  As mentioned above, a primary reason oil and gas workers prefer cotton gloves is due to the comfort cotton offers.  With rolling TPR, the impact protection does not impede the movement of one’s hands.  The worker recaptures the comfort preferred and the impact protection required.

2) Heat resistance

Oil and gas workers work around hot engines, boilers, and steam lines.  With a corded cotton double-palm, the MC504 provides excellent heat resistance.  Tested to ANSI Heat Contact Level 3, this glove provides protection up to 392F (200C) - enough to prevent an incidental contact with heat from turning into a serious burn. 

Read up on everything about ANSI Contact Heat Scores in our Heat Resistant Gloves blog.

3) Be seen, be safe

Poor visibility is a constant risk in the oil and gas industry.  Workers are all too often placed around moving vehicles or equipment, which means there is a high likelihood an unseen worker is present somewhere.

 
The hi-vis contrasting colors of the MC504 help workers stay seen on a worksite, and a visible worker is a safer worker.

4) Extra tough where it counts

Sure, gloves wear out eventually; but they should not wear out after only a few times handling equipment. 
 
The MC504’s reinforced thumb crotch stands up to heavy wear and tear in a critical high-stress area.  Working in the oil and gas industry is a tough job - don’t your hands deserve a tough glove?

5) Who owns these new gloves?

The problem with having the best all-around work glove is that everyone on the job site is going to want a pair.  Who wants someone else’s sweaty hands all up in their gloves? 

Luckily, the MC504 can keep everyone straight with a customizable ID panel on the comfortable open wrist cuff.

REQUEST A QUOTE 

or

Try It Out

Cotton Glove Insight

For additional information on cotton gloves, click the below image, and you'll find our complete article on cotton gloves. You might also be interested in knowing more about the history of cotton. We've got an article on that topic too!

Safety Is Our Business

Is the MC504 UltraTech multi-task corded cotton double-palm glove the right glove for everyone?  Absolutely not.  Some workers require PPE gloves that provide Level 1 and Level 2 impact resistance, cut protection, or even water and chemical protection.  As we mentioned above, we’re known for having a wide range of PPE across the oil and gas industry.  No matter your needs, MCR Safety has the right equipment for the job. Let us put our expertise to work for you.

 Our Impact Protection page is your go-to source for all of MCR Safety's impact gloves.  Just click the above image.

Do you have questions about MCR Safety’s oil industry PPE?  We’re happy to answer your questions and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect PPE gear for your needs. For insight into all oil and gas sectors, be sure to check out our Oil and Gas Industry pages.  Just click the image to learn more. 

REQUEST A QUOTE 

We welcome any comments, feedback, or suggestions for how we can best protect people at work.

For over 45 years, MCR Safety has proven to be a world leader in gloves, glasses, and garments. Whether it's on the shop floor, an oil rig, or a construction site, we are there to provide solutions to workplace hazards. It's all part of our commitment to protect people. 

No matter your industry, we have the personal protective equipment you need.

Learn more about MCR Safety by checking out our most recent video. For more information, browse our website, request a catalog, find a distributor, or give us a call at 800-955-6887.