Disposable gloves are thin, generally 101 – 202 microns thick. This allow the user to retain good touch sensitivity and dexterity but they have poor chemical resistance. They are designed to protect against incidental rather than intentional contact with chemicals and should be changed after any splash. They are designed for single use only and should never be re-used.
Disposable gloves are not suitable for handling some aggressive or highly hazardous chemicals. They provide little useful protection against physical hazards as they may easily tear or puncture if snagged.

Re-usable gloves are 457 – 711 microns thick. They offer greater protection than disposables against abrasion and other physical hazards, are less likely to tear in use and wil resist chemical attack for longer. However, they interfere more with dexterity and touch sensitivity and may still be damaged or penetrated by many chemicals. They need to be looked after to prolong their usefulness. Re-usable gloves usually have a longer cuff length than a disposable glove made with the same material and so offer better protection against liquid dripping over the top of the glove.

Care of reusable gloves – Re-useable gloves need to washed and dried after work to avoid accidental skin contamination when next putting the gloves on. This is especially important if the work has involved immersion or handling of chemicals that can permeate the glove material. If frequently re-used the gloves should periodically be turned inside out and the inner surface washed and rinsed off. Re-useable gloves should be inspected before each use for discoloration, cracking at flexion points or damage and should be discarded if found. They must also be discarded if the inside becomes contaminated.