Anti-vibration gloves are designed to protect hands from vibrations caused by hand-held power tools and machinery. Constant exposure to vibrations can cause tingling and numbness, as well as permanent damage to the hands and wrists. Anti-vibration gloves have padding and shock-absorbing materials on the palms, fingers, and fingertips to reduce the effects of vibrations on the body. They are a must-have for anyone who works with power tools or machinery that produce high vibration levels.

The standard test for anti-vibration gloves requires that they must reduce the transmitted vibration magnitude at or near the palm of the glove by a certain percentage, and must have a minimum thickness in the vibrating area of the fingers (see Figure 1). However, this is only one factor in determining the effectiveness of a glove. The transmissibility of a glove at the fingers is influenced by several other factors, including the force and posture with which the tool is used, the vibration frequency, and the properties of the glove material [20].

In addition, the ability of gloves to absorb vibration differs greatly between different power tools and machinery, as well as between the various vibration-reducing materials that are available in the market. Different machines and tools emit different vibrations, with higher impact or higher-frequency vibrations (400+ Hertz) requiring a different vibration-absorbing material to protect the user from HAVS and Vibration White Finger.

It is also important to understand that the use of anti-vibration gloves can be a risk in itself. It is recommended that employers only consider using gloves if they have access to performance data that clearly shows the extent to which they are likely to reduce the risks associated with vibration exposures from a given combination of tool and glove. If no such data is available, then other means of vibration control should be implemented before considering the use of gloves.

Despite these limitations, some workers will still choose to use anti-vibration gloves in order to minimise the exposures they are likely to experience while working. This is especially common for those who work with power tools and machinery that require high levels of gripping force.

In these situations, the use of anti-vibration gloves may be a reasonable solution, particularly when used in conjunction with other measures such as working at a reduced speed or adjusting the position of the tool handle to minimise exposure. However, before purchasing a pair of anti-vibration gloves, it is essential to ensure that all other precautions have been taken, such as ensuring that the correct tools and equipment are being used, identifying when breaks from work are required, and encouraging the use of ergonomic tools where possible.