Free PPE Gloves ending

The DHSC have released a timeline of when they expect to run out of stock of their free PPE (available here.) From March 2023, the DHSC stock of Nitrile and Vinyl gloves will start to run out. We have been in constant discussion with DHSC over the past few years to ensure we have a good supply of stock as they begin to phase out the supply of free PPE. Wightman & Parrish continue to have plenty of stock of Vinyl, Nitrile, Latex and Synthetic Gloves, available here at great prices. 

But why are gloves so important?

There are two main reasons for wearing gloves;  infection control and protection.  Gloves should be worn by staff when it has been identified 
that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. For  example, PPE is usually enforced when there is a risk of  exposure to blood or bodily fluids. 

Wearing gloves helps protect the skin when there is exposure to drugs and chemicals. This is often the case in care home and medical environments.

As an employer, you have a legal obligation to  provide the correct gloves and hand care solutions for your employees. 

• Identify the substances that will be handled 
• Identify other hazards 
• Consider the type/duration of contact 
• Consider the user requirements i.e. do they have a latex allergy
• Consider the task at hand

It is important to provide gloves when a risk assessment has deemed it necessary.

TYPES OF GLOVE AVAILABLE

Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are a popular choice within the NHS. They have a high 
resistance to chemicals found in care homes and hospitals. 
Nitrile gloves are latex free with a good dexterity and offer a snug 
fit to improve user experience. They are a good option when 
considering gloves for barrier protection against bodily fluids. Nitrile 
gloves can be worn for cleaning tasks but aren’t suitable for contact 
with corrosive cleaning chemicals. 

USE: Nitrile can be used in medical and care home environments, 
for domestic use and barrier protection. They offer higher levels of 
protection than Vinyl. 

Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl gloves are made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), are latex-free and can 
often be referred to as ‘PVC gloves’. They offer a looser fit than Nitrile and 
Latex gloves. 
These are commonly used within the care environment as they are cheaper 
than the Nitrile alternative however, they are not suitable for handling 
cleaning chemicals.

USE: Vinyl gloves can be used for low risk tasks including basic cleaning 
such as wiping down surfaces and general domestic use. However, they do 
not protect hands against corrosive cleaning chemicals and liquids.

Latex Gloves
Although latex gloves have been used in the healthcare industry for over 
100 years, it is now estimated that around 1% of the UK population has 
an allergy to latex. This means they are no longer recommended for use 
in the care industry.
Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe alternative for 
employees with a latex allergy.

USE: They are no longer recommended for use in care and food 
production areas.

Synthetic Gloves
Synthetic gloves are good for those moving away from latex gloves but do 
not have the budget to introduce nitrile gloves. These are also referred to 
as bi-nitrile or soft vinyl as they are made up of a mixture of nitrile and vinyl 
materials. 

USE: Synthetic gloves are stronger than their vinyl counterparts and more 
cost effective than nitrile gloves, making them the ideal choice for those 
working in low hazard environments but still requiring hand protection.

Here are a selection of our best value for money gloves that we have in stock currently. 

If you would like to learn more about the gloves we have available and how they can help you in your workplace, use the form below and a member of the team will contact you.