G-Tek^_® VR-X_™

THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDUSTRIAL HAND PROTECTION

PROTECTION AGAINST MECHANICAL HAZARDS & WORKPLACE CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF MICROORGANISMS

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Workers, safety managers and new regulations all demand an added level of protection when working with shared items, equipment or contact surfaces. Gloves are being relied upon as a new line of defense against cross-contamination. The G-Tek® VR-X™ is a new style of hand protection PPE that offers unprecedented barrier protection in a work glove that helps protect workers against the transmission of viruses and bacteria commonly found on shared surfaces or items.

HISTORY

It used to be that the primary function of a pair of work gloves was to protect the skin and hands from getting dirty, scraped and bruised. With the invention of high-strength synthetic fibers, cut-resistance was added to industrial hand protection as a critical protection need for operators. And with different types of synthetic rubbers developing at an ultra-rapid pace, high performing seamless knit palm coated work gloves were introduced to help improve grip and reduce slip-related injuries. Some coatings covered the whole glove shell, ushering in the introduction of barrier gloves to the safety market that’s designed to provide an impervious barrier against solvents and chemical skin contact.

A NEW LEVEL OF HAND PROTECTION

Safety managers are demanding P.P.E. that helps protect workers against the cross-contamination and transmission of viruses and bacteria commonly found on shared surfaces or items – such as tools, equipment or parts that are handled by multiple workers.

MICROORGANISM ACTIVITY

Microscopic viruses, bacteria and fungi are everywhere including our bodies. We all are exposed to an innumerable amount of them on a daily basis, with most being nonpathogenic and necessary for maintaining overall good health and environmental conditions. However, for those that cause harm, there’s been an increased focus on solutions that minimize contact with them or eradicate them entirely if present on surfaces where they can be easily transferred.

Eradication usually requires some type of disinfecting chemical that destroys the microorganisms on contact. For a chemical to be considered a disinfectant it must have efficacy testing and be registered with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for non-food applications or with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) if related to food safety. In the U.S., claims related to antimicrobial, antiviral or antibacterial cannot be made without efficacy testing AND registration with the appropriate regulating entity.

While eradication of these harmful microorganisms may not always be possible, in many cases protection is achieved by having an effective barrier – one where even the smallest of bacteria or viruses cannot get through. Disposable type gloves were invented specifically for this reason.

PROTECT AGAINST MICROORGANISM PERMEATION

One other approach to eradicating the presence of microorganisms on shared surfaces would be offering gloves that are somehow chemically treated to eliminate microorganisms on contact. This unfortunately is not currently possible. However, active silver ion technology as an additive to polymers is helping to maintain a consistently lower bio-burden due to active silver’s naturally occurring antimicrobial properties. The inherent antimicrobial properties of active silver and even copper have been known for centuries thus the reason why many ancient food-bearing receptacles or instruments were made of these metals.

PROTECTING AGAINST MICROORGANISMS ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE

When it comes to workers on an assembly line, it is next to impossible to avoid touching shared surfaces, parts, tools or even touchscreens. Before the global pandemic, work gloves in factories or on job sites were specified to help protect against mechanical threats, heat or chemical contamination. The pandemic prompted many safety managers to start specifying added barrier protection against microorganisms in addition to the other job risks that require P.P.E.

In 2019, at the height of the pandemic, global use of disposable gloves in industrial applications soared by up to 40% – primarily in an effort to help workers stay healthy. Many were double gloving with a disposable type glove under their work glove, introducing them to a new level of worker discomfort and possibly even risk.

While high-quality disposable gloves provide an effective barrier against contact with microorganisms, they are NOT designed to protect against industrial or mechanical work hazards. They tear too easily and prevent the skin from breathing, causing frequent change-outs which resulted in waste and loss of worker productivity – basically rendering them a less than effective solution for delivering complete hand protection to workers in industrial environments.

A BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY IN BARRIER PROTECTION

In November of 2020, Protective Industrial Products (PIP®) applied for a patent (patent-pending 63/119,080) on a new type of work glove that delivered advanced barrier protection – with the test results to prove it.

Starting with a thin, 18 gauge seamless knitted liner, a highly effective polyurethane-based coating was applied to the entire hand area to deliver extended coverage – unlike regular coatings that provide limited and permeable coverage.

These revolutionary new work gloves are not just coated seamless knit gloves with an extended or full glove coating. Rather it is a new technology in the form of a proprietary coating that could be tested for liquid permeation as well as chemical and microorganism penetration under testing standards, and pass.

This polyurethane-based coating was independently tested against specific viruses and bacteria, given its polymer containing active silver ion technology as an extra level of protection.

The advantage of this advanced technology combines the proven protection of a barrier glove with the mechanical protection of a tough nylon or HPPE-based liner tested to both the ANSI 105 and EN 374 standards to result in G-Tek® VR-X™- the first work glove of its kind offering Advanced Barrier Protection.

NEW RISKS REQUIRE INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS  

Designed for multiple worker risks, G-Tek® VR-X™ reusable Advanced Barrier Work Gloves feature a seamless knit construction with patent-pending polyurethane-based foam grip coating that offers unprecedented barrier that you can trust.

• Liquid Proof
• Silicone Free
• Touchscreen Compatible
• Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
• Antibacterial and antiviral barrier protection per ISO 20743:2013 test method & EN374-5
• ESD Safe, Surface Resistance per ESD S11.11 Static dissipative range at 10^8 ohms, 12%RH, 48hrs @100Volts
• Liquid proof, air leak tested - EN374-2
• Color coded hems for easy size identification
• Washable, resistant to water and ultraviolet light

PIP’s G-Tek® VR-X™ work gloves allow wearers to be confident while protecting against both mechanical hazards and harmful microorganism-related activity. The G-Tek® VR-X™ gloves also eliminate the need to double glove with disposables thus saving money. Touchscreen compatibility reduces the risk of cross-contamination as operators no longer need to remove a glove to operate smart devices!

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ANSI CUT LEVEL A3 PROTECTION

An ultra-lightweight 18-gauge PolyKor® blended yarn liner with polyurethane coating delivers cut-resistance PLUS outstanding dexterity and tactile sensitivity for precision handling and grip in wet, dry and slightly oily conditions.

Ideal for handling and assembly of small to medium sharp parts and materials, manufacturing, inspection, shipping and packaging and mechanical equipment maintenance and repair.     

+SHOP    16-VRX380 G-Tek® VR-X™  Light to Medium Duty Cut Protection Work Gloves

GENERAL PURPOSE LOW RISK PROTECTION

An ultra-lightweight 18-gauge nylon blended liner with polyurethane coating delivers outstanding dexterity and tactile sensitivity for precision handling and grip in wet, dry and slightly oily conditions.  

Ideal for handling and assembly of small to medium parts and materials, manufacturing, inspection, shipping and packaging and mechanical equipment maintenance and repair.

+SHOP   33-VRX180 G-Tek® VR-X™ General Duty Work Gloves

Safety managers and job site managers appreciate the added level of barrier protection coupled with the reduced waste and litter that comes with discarded disposable gloves. As an added bonus, G-Tek® VR-X™ gloves are launderable offering significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact. With touchscreen compatibility and anti-viral activity, these innovative work gloves allow workers to avoid glove removal in all work applications helping to protect against contamination and microbes on highly shared surfaces.  

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