SubscribeThe British Glove Association (BGA) was formed in 1998 as a result of a convergence of two trade associations - the Glove Guild of Great Britain and the National Association of Glove Manufacturers (NAGM) - to represent every area of the glove industry as a single voice.
During 2002, eligibility for membership of the Association was broadened by the introduction of a new category: European Associate Membership open to companies (and individuals) having a principal place of business within a member state of the European Union or European Free Trade Association. European Associate members have access to all services and benefits of the Association other than voting rights. The Executive Committee welcomes applications for membership from qualifying businesses. There are currently about 50 members. Its membership is open to any business or individual involved in making, buying or selling gloves or their components. This makes the BGA unique as many members are competitors and many have different attitudes towards the glove trade, quite apart from being suppliers, manufacturers, importers, buyers etc. but have united voluntarily to form a team with the sole objective of driving the BGA forward.
Historical records detail the existence and use of gloves back to pre-historic times, yet it wasn't until the 19th Century that a method for sizing gloves was devised. In 1834 a man named Zavier Jouvin from Grenoble established a system of sizing gloves by measuring the hand around its widest part, the knuckles. Finger lengths varied and hands were grouped by comparing their widths. Jouvin's measurement system is called "Pied de Roe", or "King's Foot" and is about ¾ of an inch longer than the English foot measurement. This system of measuring hands required the development of a special measuring tape, which is still used today for glove sizing. Glove sizes have therefore not been affected by metrication, and are usually sized from 4 - 10, plus quarter sizes. The hand that is used the most is measured, as it tends to be slightly larger. Usually this is the hand that the person writes with. The size of the glove is the number shown on the measuring tape. In addition, gloves are also sized according to the material used. Leather gloves are available in the following sizes: 6, 6 ¼, 6 ½, 6 ¾, 7, 7 ¼, and 7 ½. A good fit ensures good wear and the fitting of a leather glove is as important as fitting a dress. Cotton and nylon gloves are available in the following sizes: 6, 6 ½, 7, 7 ½. Knitted gloves and mitts are classified as either 'small', 'medium' or 'large'. Gloves or mitts made from a combination of nylon yarn and other materials produce a 'one size' glove or mitt that will stretch to fit any hand from size 6 - 8.
INDUSTRIAL
Over the past two decades employers have become increasingly aware of the obligation imposed on them by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide their employees, where necessary, with adequate protective clothing and appliances. This extends in particular to the protection of the hands which, even before the Act, was widely accepted as being an important aspect of their general duty at common law to ensure the safety of their employees. It is estimated that injuries to hands and fingers continue to account for more than a quarter of all industrial accidents. Whatever the nature or cause of the injury, many accidents could be avoided by the provision by employers of the correct type of hand protection. In selecting a suitable glove for a particular operation, employers can obtain some guidance from the British Standard Specification for Industrial Gloves: BS 1651:1986. This standard specifies materials, manufacturing details and performance requirements for gloves for protection against common industrial hazards. This standard is not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive and specifically excludes products manufactured from certain specialised materials or used for special purposes. More specifically, there are now a range of European Standards issued under the PPE Directive (and adopted as British Standards) laying down minimum performance requirements for gloves for particular operations, e.g. fire-fighters gloves (BS EN 659), chainsaw gloves (BS EN 374), cold store gloves (BS EN 511).
The range of materials available to glove makers has undergone a revolution in the last decade. Whilst the more traditional materials, such as cotton or nylon fleeces and pile fabrics still have a role to play, the age of the performance fabric is now with us. Fabrics are now on the market, which transport and manage moisture, thermo-regulate, stretch for comfort, prevent the passage of blood borne pathogens, and even inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Various materials are used in industrial gloves, to ensure maximum protection. With the outbreak of the recent latex allergy, silk glove liners are tending to be used as a practical and effective solution to the irritating problems of allergic reaction or sensitivity. With the exception of man-made fibres such as KEVLAR®, NOMEX®, and KERMEL®, the basic materials used in industrial gloves are generally the same as they were in World War II. The major technological development has been in the agents, such as waterproofing agents that are added to leather, for example, during the tanning process. Although industrial leather gloves are still used, they have now been superseded in many industrial applications by rubber, plastic and fabrics.
PROTECTION
In any form of industry, workers hands will come into daily and repeated contact with irritants that can be found in liquids, such as petrol, oil, anti-freeze, battery acid and chemicals, and objects at high temperatures - from 200 up to 800 degrees centigrade. Gloves not only protect from day to day burns and cuts, but also ensure long-term protection against conditions such as severe dermatitis.
SPECIALIST FABRIC GLOVES
In our modern world, material development and change is a constant requirement, which demands for more comfortable, durable, versatile and protective fabrics. Manufacturers face a permanent challenge to come up with ever more sophisticated materials and products.
The development of the European Directives on the use of P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment) at work, has led to the creation of a new generation of protective materials that have been incorporated into gloves to give the very best hand protection into the new millennium. End users of protective gloves all have specific needs, created by their own working environment and the nature of their work. Specific aramid fibres, such as KERMEL®, NOMEX® and KEVLAR®, have been incorporated into glove manufacturing, either as cut and make linings for police and fire-fighters gloves, or as a seamless knitted glove.
SPECIALIST GLOVES
In selecting a suitable glove, it is essential to take into account the physical conditions in which the operative is working and the sequence of the operation, as well as the severity and combination of the hazards encountered. Below are some examples of various industries where protective gloves are an essential part of their uniform.
Fire Fighting Gloves
With the introduction of new technical leathers, being waterproof, fire retardant, chemical resistant, flexible and easy-care, UK manufacturers now lead the world in this niche market. By combining these new leathers with waterproof and pathogen proof membranes, using sophisticated cut-and heat-resistant liners, such as KEVLAR® and aramid mixes, this new generation of fire-fighting gloves has revolutionised the fire glove market. These new gloves now cover many applications such as normal structural fire-fighting purposes and specialist applications and services such as airports, marine and even pizza manufacturers.
Other Services
Personnel in other services, from ambulance crews to commissionaires all require gloves at some time, and the BGA will continue to provide either specialist or standard gloves to meet every need. In addition all governments require specialist gloves for their armed forces for both combat and general purposes, where BGA Members have continued to supply ever-changing requirements.
Police Gloves
The introduction of a new British standard (BS 7971-2003) for protective gloves for the police service has meant a new generation of gloves has been developed to cover certain aspects of operational police duties, includes padded gloves for public order duties and cut- resistant uniform gloves which are becoming standard issue for all Police personnel. The BGA expects the requirement for gloves conforming to the standard to improve the safety of police officers dramatically over the next decade.
