When it comes to PPE, and hand protection in particular, there is a fine line between price and cost.
Price is what you pay for a pair of gloves, whereas cost refers to the total financial and operational impact of using those gloves over time.
It can be tempting to focus on the purchase price alone, but the cheapest safety glove is rarely the most cost-effective option.
The real question isn’t “How much are the gloves?”. It’s, “Is any saving worth the risk of a hand injury?”
Here’s why buying purely on price can be an expensive mistake.
1. LOWER PURCHASE PRICE DOESN'T MEAN LOWER COST
A glove that costs less upfront will need replacing far more frequently than a higher-quality alternative.
To put it into perspective:
Glove A
- Price: £3
- Lifespan: 3 days
- Cost Per Day: £1
Glove B
- Price: £8
- Lifespan: 4 weeks
- Cost Per Day: 40p
Although Glove B costs more initially, its cost per day is significantly lower due to it lasting much longer. And that's before considering the hidden costs of frequent replacements, including purchasing time, and stock management.
When reviewing hand protection, look beyond the unit price and consider:
- Glove longevity (lifespan)
- Replacement frequency
- Usage consumption
- Administrative and purchasing costs
This is what we mean by cost-in-use. It provides a far more accurate measure of value than purchase price alone, because the price tag is often just the tip of the iceberg.
2. THE TRUE COST OF INADEQUATE HAND PROTECTION
The whole purpose of a safety glove is to protect against workplace hazards.
Choosing gloves based of price rather than suitability can leave workers exposed to risks including:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Abrasions
- Punctures
When a hand injury occurs, the costs extend far beyond the price of the glove. Lost productivity and downtime, absence from work, investigation time and costs, and potential compensation costs can have a significant impact on a business.
Investing in the right hand protection helps reduce risk, improve safety outcomes, and support workforce productivity.
3. WEARER COMFORT DRIVES COMPLIANCE
Even the most protective glove won’t protect operatives if they don’t want to wear it.
Comfort plays a huge role in glove acceptance and compliance. In many cases, lower-cost gloves sacrifice aspects such as ergonomics, dexterity, and breathability.
Dexterity
When it comes to going about daily tasks, gloves that restrict operatives’ movement can reduce productivity and increase frustration. Hand protection should fit to the wearers requirements rather than workers having to adapt their technique to accommodate their safety gloves.
Breathability
Poor ventilation can result in hot, sweaty hands that cause gloves to become saturated and uncomfortable during long shifts.
Fit
Little to no attention is paid to ergonomics when cheap gloves are designed and manufactured, whereas a glove that you may pay a little more for upfront has taken this all into account in the design.
A properly fitting glove provides better comfort, control and precision. Gloves that fit badly are more likely to be removed during tasks.
TO SUMMARISE
The cheapest safety glove is not always the most economical choice.
When selecting hand protection, ask yourself:
- How often are you willing to replace hand protection?
- Do the operatives wear the gloves provided to them? If not, why?
- Has the correct level of hand protection been provided across all tasks?
Ready to reduce the true cost of hand injuries? Explore our range of safety gloves and find the right protection for your workforce.
