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Evaluating The Benefits Of Maxiflex® Ultimate™ 34-874 Reusable Coated Gloves Over Disposable Gloves

Apr 01, 2021 • WHITE PAPERS
Protective Industrial Products

INTRODUCTION

 

This case study looks at a comparison between disposable gloves and reusable coated seamless knit gloves for general
    work applications in industrial and construction site settings.

 

As many are aware, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented demand for disposable gloves, resulting in
    exponentially rising costs and supply shortages. Many companies returning to work defaulted to disposable gloves as
    an effective solution to mitigate the transmission of germs.

 

Intuitively, natural or synthetic rubber disposable gloves seem like the most logical choice for protection against
    shared surface contact. However, a closer look will demonstrate that disposable gloves are best suited for medical
    and frontline applications, the prevention of food contamination in food safety and quick jobs in industrial
    applications that require protection from oils or chemicals.

 

This case study demonstrates that the use of disposable gloves in industrial and construction work environments
    actually increases overall PPE cost per use, produces excess waste and has a larger environmental footprint. More
    importantly, there are potential risks related to lack of mechanical protection and even productivity loss due to
    lack of grip and general discomfort. For a full
    analysis,         target="_blank">click here.

 

This case study is based on the actual experience of a large utility company with numerous national locations. It
    will demonstrate that there is a more sustainable solution to protecting workers from occupational hazards while
    allowing them to work more effectively and confidently. It will further demonstrate that when coupled with the CDC’s
    recommended hand hygiene program, a coated seamless knit reusable glove can offer protection from work hazards as
    well as help mitigate the spread of surface contaminants.

 

THE ANALYSIS

 

In preparation for the restart phase of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, a division of a national telecommunications
    company based in the Midwest connected with one of PIP’s distributor partners regarding the potential use of
    disposable gloves for their field technicians. The utility company’s technicians were not using disposable gloves
    prior to the pandemic; however, the company’s safety managers recognized the new hazards associated with shared
    surface contact and the need to protect their workers.

 

Field technicians are required to travel on-site to support the installation and maintenance of local area networks
    and wide area network devices, landlines and cabling in both commercial and residential areas – as well as respond
    to and resolve incident tickets. On average, workers would respond to calls to administer service or maintenance at
    different residences or buildings four times per day. To perform installation or maintenance, technicians also
    handle specialized tools and equipment.

 

Responding to that many different locations per day require technicians to touch shared surfaces and equipment which
    would call for them to wear gloves that protect them from surface and item contact. Field technicians also require a
    glove that allows for enough manual dexterity to manipulate tools and small parts for installation and maintenance.

 

In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, safety managers were looking to supply 1,000 field technicians with
    disposable gloves to wear during work applications. The customer’s projected annual usage for disposable gloves was
    estimated to be more than 2.9 million pairs, which would amount to approximately $700,800 annually.

 

With disposable gloves in such high demand, PIP® had already seen an initial increase in prices. It was also
    estimated that additional price increases would be incurred based on future pricing, causing the customer’s annual
    expenditure to rise to potentially over $1.1 million per year – representing a staggering increase of more than 56%.

 

THE PLAN

 

In April 2020, in preparation for “re-opening” following the Covid pandemic, PIP® was called in by a national
    distributor in the Midwest to provide an analysis of glove use and protection from the spread of germs. The safety
    manager had developed a clear safety protocol for testing employees, requiring the use of face coverings and gloves
    at station locations as well as on field calls, in addition to adhering to social distancing protocols. The
    immediate need was for 224,000 pairs per month of disposable gloves.

 

The PIP® Regional Sales Manager reviewed the need and determined that dis- posable gloves were not the answer based
    on the job’s operation, worker needs and expected price increases. An analysis using PIP’s Cost-of-Use Calculator
    was conducted – carefully evaluating the real cost of use that included potential injury, productivity and waste.
    The hazards assessed were related to abrasion, lift force and the risk of contagion from shared surfaces at
    locations calling for service.

 

It was determined that cut was not a risk and that gloves were primarily needed to protect against possible abrasion,
    prevent soiling, help alleviate lifting force and pressure with a secure grip while providing a barrier against
    direct contact with shared surfaces, equipment and work tools. Initial discussions focused on grip and dexterity. If
    PIP® demonstrated that a good coating could ensure that equipment was carried more securely and that a high-gauge
    liner would provide the dexterity needed to manipulate small parts for installation and maintenance, it would lead
    to the worker being more productive. Additionally, if PIP® demonstrated that the coating offered a uniform barrier
    against direct contact with equipment and shared surfaces, it would provide workers with more confidence to perform
    their job.
    However, it was carefully reiterated that as outlined by the CDC, only a proper hand hygiene program has been proven
    to be effective in helping mitigate the spread of contagion by way of hands.

 

PIP’s recommendation was to opt for an all-in-one glove that would be more comfortable and even outperform the
    disposables option in cost per use. MaxiFlex® Ultimate™ <a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">
            34-874 was recommended as a
    high-performance, general-purpose seamless knit nylon/lycra® glove with a MicroFoam nitrile coated grip on the palm
    and fingers. It was selected as a reusable alternative to disposable gloves. Its proprietary nitrile coating and 15
    gauge advanced nylon liner makes it ideal for high dexterity jobs while preventing direct contact with shared
    surfaces or items. These premium gloves are long-lasting and can be washed up to six times depending on the use of
    the glove.

 

As in any work situation, worker protection and comfort needed to be addressed. MaxiFlex® Ultimate™
            target="_blank">34-874
    coated seamless knit gloves are form-fitting with a breathable liner, helping eliminate the
    risk of skin irritation or infection and discomfort due to excess perspiration that can occur with prolonged use of
    disposable gloves. Having the proper fit and breathability also reduces the risk of workers removing gloves due to
    irritation, discomfort or lack of dexterity. These gloves are ergonomically designed to fit better and help reduce
    worker fatigue that is often associated with bulkier, low-cost gloves.

 

TRIAL

 

The customer agreed to engage in a trial test, outfitting a controlled group of 78 employees in three locations.
    After two weeks, it was quickly
    determined that reusable seamless knit gloves offered a remarkable improvement in comfort, dexterity and protection.
    Field technicians were found to prefer the MaxiFlex® Ultimate™ <a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">34-874
    over disposable gloves with no
    reports of irritation or discomfort due to extended wear.

 

ADOPTION

 

The trial period was cut short due to the convincing results which caused the focus to turn to numbers. It was
    determined that employees used one complete pair of gloves every seven days for a total of 4,000 pairs of gloves per
    month. When prorated, this volume would be estimated at 52,000 pairs of gloves over a full year across all Midwest
    locations. Compared to disposable gloves, opting for the MaxiFlex® Ultimate™ <a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">34-874
        glove would
    completely eliminate the disposable option that would have required 2.8 million pairs of gloves each year. Waste
    would be cut by the same amount, but the sustainability aspect was a big benefit for management.

 

When prorating the customer’s annual cost with the MaxiFlex® Ultimate™ <a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">34-874
        seamless knit glove,
    it was calculated they would save more than 76%. Considering that the customer’s annual spend on disposable gloves
    was an estimated $700,800, this clearly presented immense savings. These savings come despite the fact that one pair
    of reusable MaxiFlex® Ultimate™<a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">
            34-874 gloves cost over ten times more than a single pair of
    disposable gloves. By confronting the issues that disposable gloves presented in this work application head-on, this
    customer was able to achieve significant savings.

 

Why was the difference so dramatic? The liners of seamless coated knits are typically made of nylon or polyester
    blends which are much more durable than any disposable glove on the market. In addition, the resilient MicroFoam
    nitrile coating retains efficacy in grip and surface contact protection for up to six washes. Currently, the company
    is considering laundering as an option for additional savings.

 

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

 

Avoids Future Rising Costs and Shortages of Disposable Gloves

 

PIP® market analysts and product managers are forecasting an exponential rise in the future prices of disposable
    gloves. There have already been price increases from manufacturers that reflect this increase taking effect by the
    end of the summer. By choosing to equip field technicians with reusable gloves over disposables, the customer is
    potentially saving more than 86% annually, equating to more than $937,000.

 

Protects Worker Health and Saves Company Money

 

While the reusable MaxiFlex® Ultimate™<a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank">
            34-874 keeps hands dry and comfortable, it was found that
    prolonged use of disposable gloves can incur costs in other ways. Skin irritation from prolonged use of disposable
    gloves due to lack of air circulation and the build-up of sweat and bacterium can lead to serious conditions such as
    contact dermatitis, which is one of the most commonly reported occupational diseases, according to ISHN. OSHA
    calculates that a single case of contact dermatitis can cost more than $11,000 in employer-paid expenses.

 

On-Hand Inventory

 

The significant reduction in usage also allowed this company to reduce the number of resources they had tied to their
    on-hand inventory. A two-week supply of disposable gloves equated to more than 112,000 pairs, with the inventory
    cost exceeding $26,000.

 

Conversely, a two-week supply of the MaxiFlex® Ultimate™<a
        href="https://us.pipglobal.com https://us.pipglobal.com/en/products/?scID=2560&ccID=11549&sID=28095&ssID=80215&pID=1212"
        target="_blank"> 34-874
        gloves totaled 2,000 pairs, with
    the cost of this inventory just reaching $1,220. The difference: The customer effectively reduced funds tied up in
    their on-hand inventory by more than 95%, while clearing over three pallets from their storage area.

 

PRODUCT DISPOSAL

 

In addition to clearing space and cost within their on-hand inventory, the customer also reduced their costs for
    disposing of the used products. A 20-yard dumpster can essentially hold ten pallets worth of gloves. The reduction
    in usage means the customer eliminated up to eight dumpster disposals annually.

 

SUMMARY

 

As we summarize all of the data shared, it becomes easier to see just how impactful it was for this customer to make
    the decision to find a better option to disposable gloves to help protect their workers from direct contact with
    shared surfaces or items. The combination of a coated seamless knit glove used in conjunction with the CDC’s proper
    hand hygiene regimen is proven to help mitigate the spread of contaminants in the workplace.

 

It is important to note that the calculated cost of use does not include the hidden
        costs of disposable gloves related to lowered productivity, or any cost related to treating work injuries or
        skin conditions related to disposables.

 

The right glove for the application still needs to be held at the same priority level as protecting workers from
    surface contact and switching to a higher quality reus- able glove shows a positive impact on worker health and
    productivity, waste and cost-savings.

 

ABOUT PIP®

 

Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP®) is a leading supplier of Hand Protection and
    General Safety Products to wholesalers and distributors worldwide. PIP® strengthens its value proposition by also
    offering its products in the most efficient and flexible manner, while building long-term relationships with its
    distributors.

 

Additional information about PIP® is available at         target="_blank">www.pipusa.com, or by contacting Anthony Di Giovanni at 518-595-1234 or
    adigiovanni@pipusa.com.

 

Neither this document nor any other statement made herein by or on behalf of Protective
    Industrial Products, Inc. should be construed as a warranty of merchantability or that any Protective Industrial
    Products, Inc product is fit for a particular purpose. Protective Industrial Products, Inc assumes no responsibility
    for the suitability or adequacy of an end-user’s selection of gloves for a specific application. Users are
    encouraged to always use caution and care when handling sharp materials or in potentially dangerous environments.
    See www.pipusa.com for important product safety information.

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