[Individual protective devices: gloves].
Gloves are an essential device to avoid cutaneous contact with aggressive agents. There is no "ideal glove"; therefore, it is necessary to select them on the basis of their effectiveness. Gloves can protect from different hazards: mechanical, chemical, biological, thermical and electrical. Specific protective gloves can be used for certain risk factors: i.e. welding operations, concussions and vibrations, food manipulation and health care. Protecting gloves are made of different materials, natural and synthetic, according to the risk they are projected for. Often the same glove can protect against multiple hazards. Finally, the choice of an "adequate" glove should be the result of a fruitful collaboration among employers, industrial hygienists and occupational physician.