From cleaning production equipment to handling farm chemicals or maintaining oily machinery, choosing a glove involves more than checking whether it is labelled “chemical-resistant”.
What are you handling? How far could a splash reach? Are sharp edges part of the job too?
For food processing, agriculture and industrial teams, these questions help identify the protection needed for the actual task. A glove needs to match the chemical exposure, the working conditions and any other hazards your hands face.
Start with the chemical, not the glove
No single glove is suitable for every chemical. Before choosing hand protection, identify the exact chemical or product being used and have its Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available.
The selection should account for:
- Chemical and concentration: what the glove will contact, including any mixtures.
- Type of exposure: occasional splashes, repeated contact or immersion.
- Contact time and temperature: how long exposure lasts and the conditions involved.
- Other hazards: sharp edges, abrasion, slippery materials or splashes above the cuff.
Check this information against the manufacturer’s chemical compatibility data and your workplace risk assessment. A chemical protection rating is a starting point, rather than confirmation that a glove suits every substance or task.
Look beyond the palm
A glove may cover your hand while leaving other areas exposed. If a task creates splashes above the wrist, cuff length becomes an important part of selection.
Think about how the work is performed: reaching into equipment, lifting wet components or cleaning surfaces can change where exposure occurs. Check the coverage needed and how the glove works with sleeves or other protective clothing.
Grip and dexterity matter too. Workers need to control wet or oily materials and carry out their tasks comfortably while wearing the protection required.
Three SHOWA options for different needs
The SHOWA CS720, CS721 and CC700 offer different combinations of coverage and protection. Chemical compatibility must still be confirmed for each application.
SHOWA CS720: the shorter option
The CS720 combines a double-coated nitrile construction, polyester liner and rough grip surface. Its design supports dexterity and handling control in wet or oily conditions.
It is an option to assess for chemical handling, cleaning and maintenance tasks where its shorter cuff provides the coverage required. If exposure can reach beyond the cuff, review whether a longer glove or additional protection is needed.
SHOWA CS721: extra forearm coverage
The CS721 also uses double-coated nitrile, a polyester liner and rough grip, with a 350 mm gauntlet for additional forearm coverage.
It is an option to consider for splash-prone cleaning and chemical handling tasks where more coverage is needed. The longer cuff helps address coverage; suitability for the chemical and exposure conditions remains a separate check.
SHOWA CC700: chemical and cut resistance together
Some tasks involve hazardous liquids and sharp materials at the same time. Handling components with sharp edges, for example, introduces a cut risk alongside chemical exposure.
The CC700 combines nitrile chemical protection with a flexible 18-gauge HPPE liner. Its EN 388 rating is 4X44E, including Level E cut resistance.
It is an option to assess when both hazards are present. Cut-resistant does not mean cut-proof, and chemical suitability still needs to be checked for the specific application.
Match the protection to your workplace
In food processing, cleaning chemical suitability and any direct food contact requirements need separate checks. On farms and in industrial workplaces, review the actual product, exposure and handling hazards rather than selecting by industry alone.
Gloves are also one part of the protection needed. Your risk assessment should identify whether the task requires splash eye protection, protective clothing, footwear or respiratory protection.
CC700 – Chemical AND Cut Resistance
Need help choosing?
Send Lynn River the chemical or product name, its SDS and a brief description of the task. Include how long contact lasts, whether splashes or immersion are involved, and any cut risks.
Our team can help you review the available chemical resistance information and identify glove options to assess for your workplace. Whether you need a shorter cuff, extra coverage or combined chemical and cut resistance, start with the task and choose from there.