If you’ve ever tried working with a splinter stuck in your palm or wearing gloves that feel like oven mitts, you know how important the right pair of gloves can be. At our service centers, gloves aren’t just a part of the uniform—they’re a big part of safety, comfort, and getting the job done right.

That’s why the HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) team didn’t just grab any gloves off the shelf. Nope. They went on a full-on glove quest—testing, tweaking, and listening to feedback from the people who actually wear them every day.

Listening First: The Glove Survey

The journey started with a simple question: What do you need from your gloves?

The HSE team passed out surveys to the crews, asking what they liked and didn’t like about their current gloves. “It’s easy in corporate to just say, ‘Here’s what you’re going to wear,’” said Jerry Smith, the HSE Manager. “But people tend to resist that. If you involve them in the process, their input matters — and they will wear it. And if they know their team members have vetted it, they work together.”

Smart, right? When you include the team in choosing gear, they actually want to wear it.

The Evolution: From Good to Great

After hearing from the crews, the HSE team got to work. And it wasn’t just one version of gloves—they went through multiple upgrades!

• Version 1.0: Featured a strong leather palm patch to protect against sharp materials like rough-cut hardwood. But that wasn’t quite enough.
• Version 2.0: They added a new patch between the thumb and the hand — a spot where a lot of cuts and splinters sneak in.
• Version 3.0: Switched the gloves to black, because let’s be honest — dirt happens. The new color hides grime better and looks cleaner longer.

Each version was based on real feedback. Jerry explained, “Any PPE, we will obtain 12 to 24 samples, assign to personnel that will give us feedback and test.”

And test they did—against splinters, rough metal fibers, and real-life job tasks.

Built for the Job

These aren’t just fancy gloves—they’re tough. Like, superhero tough.

• Puncture Resistance: Level 5 (scale is A1-A9)
• Cut Resistance: Also Level 5 (scale is A1-A5, yes, you read that right)
• Grip: Special coating for holding onto tools (and even picking up a quarter off the floor!)
• Tactile Feel: So you don’t feel like you’re working in space gloves

Thread shop teams also needed something specific: gloves that could handle fabric, not fray, and still provide protection. So guess what? They got it. Custom materials and grip coating were added just for them.

Not Off-the-Shelf 

Most companies might just order what’s available. But not this team. “There wasn’t a mousetrap,” Jerry said. “We had to make one.”

That meant staying with a trusted supplier—even when supply chains got tricky—and modifying the gloves until they were just right for the job.

The Result: A Perfect Fit

Thanks to teamwork, feedback, and a whole lot of testing, our crews now have gloves made for them—not just handed to them. They’re tough, comfortable, and actually help our teams do their work better and safer.

So next time you pull on those new gloves, know this: they’re more than just PPE. They’re proof that when we listen, work together, and aim for better, we get the perfect fit.

Stay safe, stay strong, and wear your gloves—the good ones.