Safety Gloves in Kenya: The Complete Buying Guide

Not all work gloves do the same job, and the wrong pair on the wrong task is a real safety gap, not just a comfort issue. This guide covers the three questions we’re asked most often at Specialised Hardwares: which glove type do I need, what do the certification numbers mean, and where do I buy the right one in Kenya.

In short: Choose rubber or latex gloves for wet handling and mild chemical exposure, cut-resistant gloves (rated Level 1–5, or A–F on the newer scale) for sharp materials and metal handling, and heat-resistant gloves for welding, furnace or hot-surface work. Match the glove to the specific hazard rather than the highest-sounding rating, and check the certification level on the data sheet before buying.

The five main categories of hand protection

Most industrial gloves fall into one of these groups, based on the hazard they’re built for:

• General handling and cleaning — lightweight rubber or latex gloves, for wet work and basic chemical splash protection.
• Cut and puncture hazards — cut-resistant gloves, rated on a numbered or lettered scale (covered below), for glass, metal sheet and sharp tooling.
• Heat and flame — heat-resistant gloves for welding, furnace work and hot surface handling.
• Chemical resistance — specialised rubber or nitrile gloves rated for specific chemical classes.
• Impact and vibration — padded gloves for construction and heavy tool use.

The three most searched-for categories in Kenya right now are rubber gloves, cut-resistant gloves and heat-resistant gloves — so we’ve written a dedicated guide for each, linked below.

What the certification actually means

Work gloves sold in Kenya are usually certified against European (EN) or American (ANSI/ISEA) standards, sometimes both. A glove is classified by the hazard it resists, not by price or brand, so two very different-looking gloves can carry the same protection rating. If you’re not sure what level you need for a specific task, it’s worth asking your supplier rather than guessing — the wrong glove is worse than no glove, because it creates false confidence.

Choosing by task, not by price

The cheapest glove that technically covers the hazard is usually the right starting point, but fit and dexterity matter too: a cut-resistant glove that’s too stiff to grip small parts often gets taken off mid-shift, which defeats the purpose. Buy for the job, size for the hand, and replace gloves once the coating or lining is visibly worn.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what cut-resistance level I need?

Match the level to the sharpest material or edge the task involves — light material handling needs only Level 1–2, while metal sheet or glass work needs Level 3 or higher. If unsure, ask your supplier rather than guessing.

Can one glove protect against both cuts and heat?

Some combination gloves exist, but a glove optimised for one hazard is rarely the best choice for another. For mixed-hazard tasks, it’s usually safer to confirm both ratings are genuinely certified rather than assuming a general-purpose glove covers everything.

How often should work gloves be replaced?

Replace gloves once the coating, lining or knit is visibly worn, torn or thinned — a worn glove no longer performs to its original certified rating, regardless of how new it looks overall.

Read the full guides

• Rubber Gloves vs Latex Gloves: Which One Do You Need in Kenya?
• Cut-Resistant Gloves Explained: EN 388 Levels From 1 to 5
• Heat-Resistant Gloves: How to Choose the Right Protection Level

You can browse the full range of rubber gloves, cut-resistant gloves and other PPE categories on our site, or get in touch and we’ll help you match the right glove to the job.