Thermal Gloves

Proper gloves should be use when handling hot objects or cryogens.

Heat resistant gloves are designed for protection from high temperatures found in laboratories. They are usually made of heat- and/or flame-resistant materials.  Heat resistant gloves should be used for such tasks as removing hot objects from autoclaves and drying ovens. 

Cryogenic gloves protect hands when handling extremely cold materials down to -300°F. The exterior of the glove usually repels liquids. These gloves are worn when processing frozen food, working in blood banks and labs, and when handling liquid nitrogen, dry ice and other cryogens. Do not dip the gloves directly into cryogens.

Both types of gloves limit dexterity and they are not designed for contact with hazardous chemicals.  Use of hazardous chemical items with these gloves can lead to exposure to the wearer or damage to the glove.

Heat resistant gloves and cryogenic gloves are designed for extreme high temperatures and extreme low temperatures, respectively.  Do not use cryogenic gloves to handle hot objects. Doing so can cause the gloves to melt and result in injury to the wearer.  Similarly gloves intended for use with hot objects can allow for exposure to liquid cryogens and should not be used for that purpose.

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Environmental Health & Safety
117 Draper Hall
40 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003

413.545.2682 
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