PPE Gloves & Hand Protection Products
Protect your hands and clothing while at work with our range of PPE safety gloves and hand protection products. Whether you need medical grade or food grade disposable gloves, we have the gloves for you. Check out our selection below.
The Portwest S544 Aspen Baffle Gilet is a lightweight insulated bodywarmer ideal for layering in cooler or damp conditions. It provides extra warmth and weather resistance without the bulk of a full jacket, making it perfect for outdoor work or casual wear.
The Portwest S546 KX3 Ultrasonic Tunnel Jacket is a robust padded outer layer engineered to provide excellent warmth and water resistance for work and outdoor activities in cold, wet conditions. Its advanced heat-seal construction enhances insulation and reduces water penetration.
The Portwest S548 Hi‑Vis Ultrasonic Heated Tunnel Jacket is a premium, insulated hi‑vis jacket featuring carbon‑fibre heated panels, three heat settings, EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certification, and water‑resistant baffle construction. Designed for cold, demanding outdoor environments, it delivers exceptional warmth, visibility and weather protection.
The Portwest S553 Radial 3‑in‑1 Jacket is a versatile weather-ready jacket that combines waterproof protection, breathable comfort and removable insulation in a single piece. Its smart, contemporary cut and modular design make it suitable for work and everyday outdoor use in changing conditions.
The Portwest S556 Vanquish Rain Trousers are waterproof, breathable protective trousers built to keep you dry and comfortable in wet, challenging weather. Designed for outdoor work, they feature taped seams and durable construction for everyday use.
The Portwest S571 Elgin 3-in-1 Ladies Jacket is a versatile all-weather outerwear solution designed specifically for women. It combines waterproof performance, breathable protection and a removable fleece liner to adapt to varying conditions throughout the year.
Be seen in these day-vis long sleeved tops!
The Portwest S585 Winter Coverall is a heavy-duty, fully waterproof insulated one-piece designed to keep workers dry, warm and visible in harsh cold weather and wet conditions. Built with reinforced protection and practical details, it’s ideal for outdoor jobs such as construction, utilities and winter site work.
The Portwest S594 Hi-Vis Extreme Rain Bib & Brace is a waterproof, high-visibility over-trouser designed for prolonged outdoor work in heavy rain. It provides full lower-body coverage, strong weather resistance and enhanced visibility, making it suitable for demanding environments such as utilities, highways, rail and construction.
The Portwest S597 Hi‑Vis Extreme Trousers are high‑performance waterproof, windproof and breathable over‑trousers designed for demanding outdoor and rail‑compliant environments. With EN ISO 20471 Class 2 certification, RIS‑3279‑TOM compliance (orange), 11,000mm waterproofing, and 50,000g breathability, they deliver exceptional protection and comfort in severe weather.
The Portwest S600 KX3 Rain Jacket is a waterproof, windproof and breathable shell jacket designed for all‑weather protection. Built with an active fit, articulated sleeves and modern styling, it delivers comfort, durability and performance for both work and leisure environments.
The Portwest S687 Ladies Action Trousers are women’s work trousers designed for comfort, storage and durability. Tailored specifically to fit the female form, these trousers offer a functional and practical solution for everyday jobsite wear and active roles.
The Portwest S790 Combat Shorts are durable, practical work shorts designed for comfort and functionality. Made from hard‑wearing Kingsmill Polycotton with multiple pockets and a half‑elasticated waistband, they offer reliable performance for a wide range of trades and active work environments.
The Portwest S841 Polycotton Bib Apron is a durable, professional‑grade apron designed for catering, hospitality and food‑handling environments. Made from hard‑wearing Kingsmill Polycotton with a stain‑resistant Texpel finish, it offers long‑lasting protection and a clean, professional appearance shift after shift.
The Portwest S843 Tabard with Pocket is a practical, easy‑care tabard designed for busy cleaning, catering and healthcare environments. With adjustable side straps and a handy front pocket, it offers comfortable coverage and everyday functionality.
The Portwest S845 Bar Apron is a practical and durable half-length apron designed for hospitality and food service professionals. Made from high-performance Kingsmill fabric, it features a large front pocket and anti-tangle side ties for convenience and comfort.
This Butchers Apron is a durable, professional-grade apron made from 100% Kingsmill Cotton. Designed for chefs, butchers, and food industry workers, it features an adjustable neck tie and a spacious front pocket for practical storage, and offers breathable comfort and long-lasting protection in demanding kitchen environments.
The Portwest S887 Action Trousers are durable, multi‑pocket work trousers designed for trades, maintenance teams and industrial environments. Made from tough polycotton with reinforced panels and multiple secure pockets, they offer everyday practicality and long‑lasting comfort.
The Portwest S889 Action Shorts are durable, multi‑pocket work shorts designed for warm‑weather use in trade, maintenance and industrial environments. With reinforced panels and secure storage options, they offer comfort, practicality and everyday reliability.
The Portwest S896 Snood Cap is a hygienic head covering designed for catering, food production and hygiene-sensitive environments. It provides full hair containment while remaining lightweight and comfortable for extended wear.
The Portwest S899 Skull Cap is a lightweight, hygienic head covering designed for catering, food production and clean‑processing environments. Its snug fit and breathable fabric help maintain high hygiene standards while keeping staff comfortable throughout the day.
Astral Hygiene's Floor Safety Sign is perfect for providing warning of potential slip and trip hazards that might occur after floor cleaning or spills. Order online today.
Ensure your guests experience the utmost comfort and hygiene with our Hotel Individually Boxed Sanitary Towels. Designed for hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses, these premium sanitary pads are individually boxed for discreet presentation and hygienic storage. Offering superior absorbency and comfort, they are an essential addition to your guest amenities.
Jeyes Sanitising Chlorine Tablets dissolve to produce a powerful sterilising solution which kills germs including salmonella, E-Coli and MRSA. These powerful Chlorine based tablets are a safer alternative to liquid bleach as the chlorine tablets dissolve to produce a powerful sterilising solution. 180 tablets per tab. BS EN 1276 and BS EN 1650 Certified Products.
Specially formulated with dual biocides to provide excellent bactericidal properties and glycerol to condition and protect the skin.
Sapphire Heat Seal Clear Polythene Bags are lightweight, 100% recyclable, and suitable for direct food contact. Made from clear LLDPE, they’re ideal for packaging food, textiles, and small components. Heat sealable and available in various sizes.
The 3-Ply Satino Prestige Kitchen Roll delivers exceptional absorbency and strength, making it ideal for homes, catering environments, commercial kitchens, and everyday cleaning tasks. Its triple-layer design ensures fast, effective soaking of spills and mess.
A gently cleansing, delicately fragranced shampoo presented in a individual 30ml bottle, Au Lait Shampoo will leave your hair naturally healthy, glossy and gorgeous. Fast UK Delivery!
Scottish Fine Soap Company. These soaps leave your hair glossy, healthy and gorgeous. Combination of French Chic and the finest milks, this is a very luxury shampoo. Buy online today, for next day delivery across most UK locations.
Au Lait 300ml Scottish Fine Soaps Conditioner. This quality conditioner will leave your hair glossy and tangle free. Buy Online Today, for fast UK delivery.
Made right here in Scotland, from the purest natural milk, this soap provides a contemporary french chic feel. This will detangle the thickest hair. Packed in 100's. Fast UK delivery. Buy online today!
Made in Scotland from the natural goodness of real milk, with a touch of French Chic, this is an absolute wonder product and an all time best seller. Comes in a 30ml bottle. Fast UK Delivery!
Gloves - What is the difference?
Who would've thought there was so much to disposable gloves? It is important to make sure your wearing the glove that protects you most... Read here to see what gloves you should be wearing and when!
Over the past 5 years, there has been an enormous surge in the prices of all types of gloves, such as vinyl, latex and nitrile. This is due to the increases in raw materials, manufacturing and environment challenges. This blog is set out to describe the different reasons for this and to educate you on all things gloves…
To help gauge which protective gloves are most useful in different situations, listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of each raw material, this is to make it easier for you to decide which gloves are best for you!
Why do we need gloves?
In many situations, gloves can be vital to someone’s health and safety. When working with hazardous chemicals or anything harmful for that matter, it is extremely important to use gloves. They protect our hands from any injury, infections or becoming contaminated. Nitrile gloves are usually the gloves used to protect an individual against most chemicals and infectious agents.
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile is often used as a latex alternative for those who have a latex allergy; it is a synthetic rubber compound, which is formed by carbon and nitrogen atoms. Butadiene is the main molecule used in the production of nitrile rubber. However, in the last few years a significant increase in Butadiene’s price has been noticed. In September 2016, Butadiene’s price per ton was averaging around £720; it is now costing between £1500-2000 per ton.
Advantages of Nitrile Gloves:
- Nitrile gloves are up to 3 times more puncture resistant than latex gloves - this makes them the preferred glove in work places such as hospitals or environments where there is a high risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens or other environmental contaminants.
- Nitrile gloves are often referred to as Medical Grade; this means they have undergone series of tests to ensure they are suitable to be used in these conditions.
- This material is known for having a lower level of friction meaning they can be worn for long durations of time. Again, this is good for medical purpose like surgeries and procedures where individuals may need to be protected by these gloves for a long period.
- Due to nitrile being a manufactured substance, it means the price of it remains stable unlike latex. This is because things such as changes in weather and climate cannot affect it. Being machine-made gives nitrile a longer shelf life than some other forms of disposable gloves meaning there is less possibility of waste.
Disadvantages of Nitrile Gloves:
- As there are several different types of materials used to make disposable gloves, nitrile gloves have been proven to be “better” than latex. However producing synthetic nitrile rubber is a lot more expensive than the produce of vinyl gloves, which is another type of raw material used in manufacturing disposable gloves.
- Nitrile gloves are a lot less tactile than latex, the sensitive is limited because of the nitrile material making it more difficult to feel objects easily.
Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl gloves are made from synthetic material polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They provide a heavy-duty glove that is commonly used in rougher activities. This means they are an excellent option in the food and beverage industry. Also a popular choice in many household and commercial applications.
Advantages of Vinyl Gloves:
- As well as being highly affordable, they are great for low-risk tasks in short durations, this includes professions such as hairstyling, house cleaning, assisted living work etc. They are suitable for use as a protective barrier against low-risk bodily fluids, dyes and detergents.
- Vinyl gloves are waterproof making them a very popular choice in gloves for places such as nurseries, hairdressers and even in your home. They are still highly protective but should be used for less serious scenarios.
- These make of gloves are an ideal choice, as they are latex-free and usually the cheapest.
- Another advantage of vinyl gloves is that they are anti-static meaning they are good for high dust environments, they are useful for activities such as cleaning and decluttering.
Disadvantages of Vinyl Gloves:
- One of the biggest disadvantages of vinyl gloves is the minor protection. They should not be worn for long periods and offer little protection in chemical resistance. They fit loose and are a lot less flexible than latex and nitrile gloves, this can make them very uncomfortable.
- Majority of vinyl gloves are manufactured in China, these manufactures equate to over 50% of the global demand. Across Beijing and much of North-Eastern China there was severe smog/pollution caused by factories, this meant they were forced to shut down as highways had to close and airlines had to cancel flights. Chinese government closed down 1200 vinyl gloves factories overall. Because of these forced closures, there was a significant impact on vinyl glove production and supply.
Latex Gloves
Unlike Nitrile and Vinyl, latex is a natural compound made from rubber trees. White, milky liquid is taken when the trees are scored and processed into latex.
Advantages of Latex Gloves:
- Latex gloves provide a high degree of movement and comfort, the physical properties of the rubber latex makes the gloves extremely elastic and resistant to tearing.
- Latex gloves offer protection against a range of hazards such as biohazard (bacteria and viruses) and certain chemicals.
- This type of disposable gloves are considered the most comfortable material that is available. Because of their snug fit and skin feel, this allows people to perform complex tasks that require a high degree of touch sensitivity.
Disadvantages of Latex Gloves:
- Latex allergies are one of the main disadvantages of latex gloves; it’s not uncommon to be allergic to latex however, it does mean that there is a large group of customers who are unable to purchase this certain type of glove.
- As Latex is a natural substance, several different problems can arise because of this. One of these is the weather, rubber tree plantations flood regularly due to excessive rainfall.
- Latex is currently at the highest market price in history, for every 2% increase in the cost of raw latex; there is a 1% increase in the cost of a glove. In the past year, costs have increased by 97%, resulting in 49% surge in production cost of latex gloves.
