How to Choose the Right Construction Gloves for Every Job (UK 2025 Guide)
Helping you protect hands, cut costs, and pass compliance — without second-guessing your PPE.
Introduction: The Glove Mistake That Costs You More Than Money
Picture this.
It’s Monday morning. Your crew’s on-site, the diggers are fired up, scaffolding’s up to code, and the job’s finally back on schedule.
Then it happens.
One slip. One unprotected hand. One shredded palm on a jagged bit of steel — and now you’ve got a first-aid incident, a missing tradesman, and a possible HSE inspection breathing down your neck.
All because someone wore the wrong gloves.
Here’s the hard truth most site managers, buyers, and even seasoned contractors don’t like to admit:
The average UK construction firm spends more on biscuits than on properly matched hand protection.
That sounds wild, but it’s true.
Why?
Because most people treat construction gloves as a box-ticking exercise — not as site-critical safety gear. They buy the same gloves for brickies, roofers, sparkies, scaffolders… even though their hands face completely different risks.
So this guide is here to flip the script.
We’re not just going to tell you which gloves exist. We’re going to show you:
- Exactly which glove to use for each trade
- What protection levels actually mean (no jargon, just facts)
- How to balance price, comfort, and compliance
- Where to find top-rated options that won’t fail after a week on-site
We’ll even answer the questions suppliers never seem to explain — like:
- “What’s the difference between nitrile and latex gloves?”
- “Do EN388 ratings actually matter?”
- “How do I know if my gloves are legal under 2025 PPE rules?”
And because this guide is built for UK sites, everything’s grounded in real compliance — not vague US blog fluff. We’ll link you directly to certified, trade-tested products from the Gloves section of our PPE & Safety collection.
So whether you’re sourcing bulk gloves for a commercial project or just trying to stop your labourers from binning them after one shift…
This guide will save you money, time, and probably a few palms along the way.
Let’s get into it.
Why Glove Selection Matters on Site (More Than You Think)
If you’ve ever ordered a “general purpose” glove thinking it’ll cover most tasks, you’re not alone. It’s the classic move. One glove to rule them all.
But here’s the problem…
There is no such thing as a universal construction glove.
What protects a roofer from punctures won’t do squat for a scaffolder dealing with wet steel tubing. A glove that gives perfect grip for electricians might fail a demolition worker swinging a hammer all day.
And when the wrong glove fails?
It’s not just an injury risk — it’s:
- Downtime (lost hours, missed deadlines)
- Non-compliance (fines or failed inspections)
- Replacement costs (cheap gloves wear out faster, costing more over time)
Let’s break it down.
Real Risks by Trade Type
| Trade | Common Hazards | Wrong Glove = |
| Bricklayer | Abrasions, cement burns | Skin damage, rapid wear |
| Electrician | Dexterity, dry grip | Reduced control, snags |
| Roofer | Weather exposure, grip | Slips, cold hands, accidents |
| Scaffolder | Oil, wet steel, edges | Grip loss, snagging injuries |
| Demolition | Impact, sharp debris | Serious cuts, crushed fingers |
Bottom line: using the wrong glove doesn’t just “sort of” work.
It actively puts your workers and your project at risk.
Compliance Isn’t Optional — It’s Enforced
In 2025, UK HSE guidance is clearer (and stricter) than ever:
Every worker must be provided task-appropriate PPE — including gloves that match the risk environment.
That means:
- Gloves must meet EN 388 standards for mechanical protection.
- Impact or cut protection must be appropriate for task severity.
- Materials must be chosen based on chemical, weather, or abrasion risks.
Failing this? You’re open to:
- Site fines
- Contractor liability
- Shutdown orders
- Invalid insurance in case of incident
That’s why we built this guide — to walk you through exactly what to choose, why it works, and where to get certified options that don’t fall apart after two days on site.
We’ll even link you directly to each glove type under PPE & Safety → Gloves on our store, so you’re not stuck guessing or overpaying for the wrong spec.
How to Understand EN 388 Glove Ratings
Okay, quick quiz.
Which glove gives better cut protection — EN388: 4343 or EN388: 4544C?
If your answer is “I have no clue, I just buy the ones with knuckle padding,” you’re not alone.
EN 388 is the official European standard for gloves used in mechanical risk environments, which covers nearly every construction trade. However, most suppliers inundate you with numbers without ever explaining their meaning.
So here’s the plain-English version you need to know.
What Is EN 388?
EN 388 is a 6-digit code printed on gloves that tells you how resistant they are to:
- Abrasion
- Cut (Coup Test)
- Tear
- Puncture
- Cut (TDM Test – newer standard)
- Impact Protection (optional)
Let’s break one down:
Example: EN388: 4544C
| Test | Rating | What It Means |
| Abrasion | 4 (max 4) | Very high durability — lasts longer on rough surfaces |
| Cut (Coup Test) | 5 (max 5) | Excellent for glass, sharp metal, or sheetwork |
| Tear | 4 (max 4) | Won’t rip easily under stress |
| Puncture | 4 (max 4) | Great for nails, wire, splinters |
| TDM Cut | C (scale A–F) | Mid-level blade resistance (ideal for most trades) |
| Impact | Not tested | No extra impact padding |
So… What Rating Should You Look For?
Depends on the job.
Here’s a trade-by-trade cheat sheet:
| Trade | Ideal EN388 Rating |
| Scaffolder | 4343C or higher (grip, tear, puncture) |
| Bricklayer | 4544C (abrasion, puncture, tear) |
| Electrician | 3121X (flexibility, low abrasion) |
| Roofer | 4343C + weather resistance |
| Demolition | 4544F + impact (maximum protection) |
Don’t Just Buy by Code — Feel Matters Too
Numbers are only part of the story. You also need to factor in:
- Fit (Too loose = snag risk. Too tight = hand fatigue.)
- Dexterity (Especially for fixings, wiring, or screeding)
- Grip (Dry grip vs oil/wet grip are completely different materials)
This is where our curated PPE & Safety Gloves range comes in — we test for real-world usability, not just box specs.
For example:
- Grip Lite Red & Black Gloves – Ideal for general handling
- Waterproof Latex Coated Foam Gloves – Great for wet site conditions
- Black Nitrile Palm Coated Gloves – Perfect for oil and scaffolding tasks
Trade-by-Trade Glove Matching Guide (What to Wear, What to Avoid)
You’ve got your EN 388 ratings. You understand the jargon.
Now let’s make it real — glove by glove, trade by trade.
Because here’s the deal:
The best glove for a painter would be a liability for a scaffolder.
So whether you’re managing a full site crew or ordering PPE for your next job, here’s your no-BS guide to picking gloves that work where it counts — on-site, under pressure, in UK weather.
1. Scaffolder’s Glove Kit
Your biggest risks:
- Slippery steel tubes
- Rain-soaked conditions
- Sharp couplers or rusted metal
You need:
Oil-resistant grip
Tear + puncture protection
Wrist-tight fit to avoid snags
Top Pick:
Black Nitrile Palm Coated Gloves – £0.99
- EN388: 4121
- Nitrile palm = excellent for wet/oily grip
- Flexible + breathable back = all-day comfort
Avoid:
❌ Cotton gloves (zero grip)
❌ Loose-fit styles (snag hazard on joints)
2. Bricklayer’s Glove Kit
Your biggest risks:
- Abrasive bricks
- Cement burns
- Constant surface contact
You need:
Abrasion resistance
Long-lasting material
Flexible for brick handling
Top Pick:
Grip Lite Red & Black Gloves – £0.99
- EN388: 4131
- Textured latex for grip
- Breathable back to reduce hand sweat
Avoid:
❌ Nitrile-only gloves (not enough abrasion support)
❌ Overly thick impact gloves (reduce dexterity)
3. Electrician’s Glove Kit
Your biggest risks:
- Dexterity loss
- Grip failure on small parts
- Hand fatigue
You need:
Thin, flexible material
Excellent dry grip
Tight fit
Top Pick:
Waterproof Latex Coated Foam Gloves – £1.99
- EN388: 3131
- Foam coating for grip without bulk
- Great for dry or mildly wet environments
Avoid:
❌ Heavy-duty impact gloves (can’t handle small fixings)
❌ Loose-fitting generic gloves
4. Demolition/Heavy Works
Your biggest risks:
- High-impact hits
- Glass shards, nails
- Wire snagging
You need:
Max cut + puncture protection
Impact resistance on knuckles
Reinforced seams
Top Pick:
GRIPPS C5 Eco Impact Glove – 2.3kg – £28.51
- EN388: 4544F + impact
- Designed for heavy demolition, scaff, and tool work
- Eco build = lower landfill impact
Avoid:
❌ Basic nitrile gloves (insufficient protection)
❌ Cheap imports (fail under real force)
5. Roofer/Exterior Work
Your biggest risks:
- Wind, rain, cold
- Wet roof tiles/slates
- Tool drops from height
You need:
Weather protection
High-grip palm
Tight wrist seal
Top Pick:
GRIPPS C5 FlexiLite MKII Gloves – £12.64
- EN388: 4543C
- Lightweight but reinforced
- Great balance of grip + comfort
Avoid:
❌ Vented gloves (cold + wet hands = poor control)
❌ Over-insulated gloves (lose dexterity)
Pro Tip:
All GRIPPS gloves at MPS Gloves Collection are load-rated — up to 2.3kg tethering — which means they’re suitable for working at height with hand tools attached. That’s a win for safety and compliance.
5 Common Glove Mistakes That Are Costing You Time, Money & Compliance
You’ve got gloves in stock. Your team’s wearing them.
But here’s the catch:
Most UK construction firms still get PPE gloves wrong — and it’s costing them in ways they don’t even realise.
Injuries. Downtime. Failed site inspections.
Let’s make sure you’re not burning budget (or risking safety) with these five glove-buying and glove-using mistakes.
#1: Using “One Glove Fits All”
It sounds efficient. It feels easy.
But giving the same gloves to every trade is like issuing flip-flops on a scaffolding site.
Each trade faces different risks — from fine toolwork to impact trauma.
Using a general-purpose glove for a high-risk job is non-compliant and often dangerous.
Fix:
Build a trade-by-trade glove kit.
Start with this guide: Shop PPE Gloves by Type
Mistake #2: Ignoring EN388 Ratings
If your gloves don’t have EN388 printed inside or on the packaging…
They’re not legally rated — and you could fail a random HSE audit.
The EN388 standard tells you how gloves perform for:
- Abrasion resistance
- Cut resistance
- Tear resistance
- Puncture resistance
Fix:
Always check that your gloves have a 4-digit EN388 code (e.g., 4543).
And match the rating to your site risks.
Need help decoding it? Jump back to our EN388 Explained section.
Mistake #3: Skipping Glove Inspections
You wouldn’t send a guy up a tower with a frayed harness, right?
Same goes for gloves.
Worn-out gloves:
- Lose grip
- Tear easily
- Expose hands to direct hazards
Fix:
Do a weekly glove check (especially on demolition or scaffolding jobs).
Replace gloves with visible wear, cracking, or fabric thinning.
Order low-cost, high-turnover stock here:
Black Nitrile Gloves – £0.99
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Weather
Wet gloves = poor grip.
Cold hands = poor control.
Together? You’ve just doubled the risk of drops and slips.
Fix:
For autumn/winter sites, always issue:
- Latex-foam waterproof gloves
- Thermal-lined gloves (if temps drop below 5°C)
- Gloves with extended cuffs for weather seal
Check out:
Waterproof Latex Foam Gloves – £1.99
Mistake #5: Mixing Glove Brands in Shared Kits
Different glove brands = different sizes, fits, grip coatings, and cut levels.
You’re basically introducing inconsistency on the job site, which leads to:
- Worker complaints
- More replacements
- Safety gaps due to improper fits
Fix:
Standardise your PPE order by sticking with 1–2 tested brands.
At MPS, our GRIPPS and FlexiLite series offer consistent sizing and industrial performance — every time.
Final Glove Audit Checklist
Here’s a 30-second compliance scan you can use right now:
| ✅ Checkpoint | ✅ Compliant? |
| Gloves are EN388-rated (visible code) | ✔ / ✘ |
| Gloves match job risk (e.g., cut, impact, weather) | ✔ / ✘ |
| Workers issued correct size & fit | ✔ / ✘ |
| No visible wear, tears, or cracking | ✔ / ✘ |
| Consistent brand for team-wide stock | ✔ / ✘ |
If you scored under 5/5 — it’s time to tighten up.
Final Word: Get the Right Gloves, First Time — With MPS
Let’s face it:
Choosing the right gloves isn’t just about ticking off a PPE checklist.
It’s about keeping your crew safe, your projects compliant, and your business protected.
The wrong glove might seem like a small mistake — until it leads to:
- An injury claim
- A site shutdown
- Or hours of lost productivity
But now?
You know exactly what to look for — and why it matters.
From cut-resistant grip gloves to waterproof winter PPE, we stock only what works on real job sites.
EN388-certified
Trusted by UK contractors
Fast delivery & bulk trade pricing
Featured Gloves Kit – Built for Real Sites
| Product | Best For | Link |
| Black Nitrile Palm Coated | General handling, warehouse | View product |
| Grip Lite Red & Black | Dexterity, electricians, joiners | Browse here |
| Waterproof Latex Foam | Outdoor winter sites, scaffolders | Shop now |
| GRIPPS Impact Gloves | High-risk builds, heavy lifting | See all GRIPPS Gloves |
Need help choosing?
Call us on 01200 408381 or Get in Touch
Shop by Trade
Looking for gloves by trade? Explore PPE kits built for:
Bonus: Need a Bulk PPE Quote?
We offer fast quotes and discounts for:
- Teams of 10+
- Long-term site supply contracts
- Repeat monthly orders
You’ve now got the guide.
You’ve got the glove picks.
And you’ve got the backup from a trusted supplier who gets it.
Stay safe. Stay sharp. And glove up right.
