No matter if you work in healthcare, skilled trades or other occupations, your safety and health can be affected by the gloves you use.
Nitrile gloves are known to protect against biological hazards such as diseases and bodily fluids. They also provide protection from chemical hazards like corrosive liquids and dangerous drugs. These gloves can also save you against electricity. Do nitrile gloves conduct electricity?
Spoiler alert! Nitrile gloves are able to protect you against electric shock. How? We will discuss why nitrile gloves make the best choice in industries that deal with electricity and conductive metals. We will discuss the advantages of nitrile gloves and explain how they can be safer when you work with electricity.
Are Nitrile Gloves Electric?
Fortunately, no.
Nitrile does not conduct electricity by itself. It acts instead as an insulator that has strong electrical resistance. It is a poor conductor of electricity in its pure form, as electricity cannot pass through it.
What makes nitrile gloves less conductive?
Okay, now you know that nitrile gloves don’t conduct electricity. What makes them less conductive than other gloves?
Let’s look at the three types of materials that transfer electricity to understand how Nitrile interacts with electricity.
Conductors
Conductors are very resistant to electricity, so electricity can easily pass through them. Conductors include silver, copper and aluminum. Metals are used to make electrical objects, such as radios, televisions, and other devices that need electricity to work. Plugs for TVs, radios and lights.
Semiconductors
Semiconductors can resist electric current and have an electrical conductivity value between an insulator and a conductor. Examples of semiconductors are silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. They are essential components of many electronic devices that have a wide range of applications such as communication, healthcare, transportation, and transport.
Insulators
Insulators are the final option. Insulators are highly resistant to electricity and allow very little of it to pass through. Good insulators are wood, rubber, and plastic. This includes nitrile rubber.
Nitrile rubber’s electrons are so tightly bound that they can not be separated easily. Nitrile is therefore the best choice for work safety equipment and PPE.
Nitrile rubber gloves protect the wearer against electric shock when used in glove form. Nitrile rubber gloves are also resistant to chemicals, biohazards, and tearing. In terms of the protection it offers skilled tradespeople, nitrile rubber gloves outperform vinyl and latex gloves.
Are All Nitrile Gloves Antistatic?
An electrostatic discharge (ESD), is an electrically charged phenomenon that occurs when two objects are in close proximity to each other. This causes them to experience an electrical short, or a sudden flow in electricity.
ESD can cause harm to electronic components and products. This can make it difficult for quality assurance teams to identify. ESD can also shock people. Static electricity isn’t fatal but can cause someone to lose their balance or inadvertently wound themselves.
ESD prevention is essential to ensure quality control and risk management in workplaces where electrical materials are handled. This can be done by including nitrile gloves in standard workplace PPE.
But not all nitrile gloves can be antistatic. Inherently, natural rubber gloves are insulative. Even insulated rubber electrical gloves can be used for electrical work. Even though it is rare, there is still the possibility of ESD. Rubber gloves should be antistatic to protect against electricity and ESD.
Safety Tips for Working with Electricity and Electrical Devices
Electricity-related jobs are dangerous. A single mistake can cause serious injuries, or worse, even death. This is not meant to scare you. If you work in these types of jobs, you probably already know what you are getting yourself into and are ready to take the risks.
However, it is essential to take all safety precautions when working with electricity, conductive materials, or electronic devices.
Always wear gloves
While gloves can be uncomfortable, it is a small price to make sure you are safe. When you are handling potentially dangerous materials or tools, don’t take off your rubber gloves. Always keep your work gloves on; you never know what could happen.
Make sure you use electrical equipment correctly.
Only take on a job you know how to do, especially if it involves electrical equipment. If in doubt, seek the assistance of a colleague or superior.
Live Wires: Be aware
While working, be aware of all electrical wires around you. Notify a supervisor immediately if you find a live wire. You should not attempt to reach a live wire. Only trained personnel should attempt its containment. This rule also applies to dangerous electrical equipment, especially those that require special training in order to operate safely.
Follow the safety procedures at work.
Apart from general safety precautions, it is important to follow any safety procedures that your workplace has in place. Some companies have special equipment that needs to be taken care of. You could be at serious risk of electrical injury if you need help understanding the rules for operating this piece of equipment.
Do Nitrile Gloves Conduct Electricity? Our Last Thoughts
No, nitrile gloves do not conduct electricity. Nitrile, in its purest form, allows very little electricity to pass through it, making it both a good conductor and an excellent insulator. This innate property makes Nitrile the best material to make rubber gloves that are insulating. It can be used in many industries including power, automotive manufacturing, power and more.
Primo Dental is the place to go if you are looking for the best nitrile gloves available. Primo Dental’s nitrile gloves feature high-quality nitrile rubber that provides the best protection against occupational hazards. They also keep your hands warm and comfortable.
We also offer a variety of disposable face masks and dental instruments. What are you waiting for, then? Go to our online PPE shop now.
