Keeping your feet safe on the job site is a no brainer and boots with toe protection are almost always required. The problem with gloves has always been trying to find a balance between adequately protecting hands and maintaining dexterity and functionality. Too much protection could cause your hands to be immobilized or reduce your ability to actually use the tools you’re being protected against. But gloves that are too comfortable may only act as an extra layer of skin and you’re left nursing a black and blue index finger.
Chilean company Resafe believes they may have found that correct balance, with the release of their Mark VIII safety gloves. Much like a traditional steel toe boot, these gloves protect the tops of your fingertips with the use of a shatter proof thermoplastic material, so you can still maintain fingertip sensitivity and motor skills. The fingertip protection keeps you safe from impacts and even cuts and punctures. You’ll see in the video below that the blades will cut through leather, but the thermoplastic fingertip liner prevent them from reaching your finger. You still have to exercise extreme caution to make sure you still don’t injure your hand, as they only protect the tops of your fingers.
The gloves have actually won a gold medal at the Invention & New Product Exposition in the “Safety and Security-Personal” category, which took place in June in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The glove concept is comes in 4 different varieties, ranging from short cuff kidskin and nitrile gloves to long cuff, leather gloves designed for welding. There’s no word on pricing or availability outside of Chile at the moment, but the company’s contact information is listed on their website’s home page.
In the midst of fierce discourse over the bipartisan infrastructure bill lies a unique opportunity for the United States.