How D3O®iP™ Technology Is Setting A New Standard For Hand Protection

Impact-related hand injuries are the most common occupational hazards in the industrial work force. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor between 2021-2022, 23 percent of all work-related injuries involve severe impacts to the hands or fingers. Of those injuries, 63 percent were lacerations, 13 percent were crush and 8 percent were avulsion, making hand injuries the most frequent of preventable injuries. Particularly in the oil and gas, mining, construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries, back-of-the-hand impact protection is crucial as workers have increased exposure to hazards like crushing, pinching, cuts, and punctures that standard hand protection cannot sufficiently protect.

Traditional hand protection solutions have long faced a dilemma: achieving the necessary level of protection often means compromising comfort and dexterity. Breathability is a crucial factor, especially when it comes to non-impact gloves. Traditional coatings often lack breathability, compelling users to depend solely on the liner on the back of the hand for air circulation. This situation is exacerbated when the back of the hand is encased in thick, non-porous blocks of Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), essentially eliminating any possibility for air to pass through.

 From a dexterity perspective, impact-resistant gloves often require a thicker shell for support, typically made of natural or synthetic leather.  However, the majority of leather gloves offer zero grip, a significant disadvantage for workers in the oil & gas or manufacturing industries who need to handle chains, pipes, and other equipment coated with residual oils and greases. This lack of grip means that leather gloves are prone to slipping off surfaces, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of accidents, or even worse, propelling the wearer to remove their gloves completely.

CHALLENGING THE STIGMA 

TPR hand protection still has its place in the industry.  One of the most notable advantages of TPR is its ability to mold into complex shapes. This characteristic allows for the formation of flex points around the knuckles and fingers, ensuring that protection does not come completely at the expense of mobility.

PIP® provides an extensive selection of back-of-the-hand impact-resistant gloves, ensuring that workers have the right protection to effectively tackle tasks. As a long-standing staple, TPR gloves hold a reputation as being reliable and effective, but only when being used appropriately. They typically only achieve up to an ANSI/ISEA Impact Level 2 therefore applications such as warehousing and MRO often find TPR gloves well suited to their needs due to the potential for low to moderate crush and cut hazards and need for shock absorption.

However, the widespread use of TPR for tasks requiring precision further perpetuates the issue of comfort, dexterity and most importantly, compliance. Typically sewn onto gloves, it not only adds bulk but also leads to durability issues due to stitch deterioration after extended periods of wear on the job.  This method of construction has created a stigma within the industry: more protection requires more materials, inevitably leading to less dexterity and comfort for the wearer.

So, how can workers who need this high level of protection close the gap between performance and comfort?

LESS IS TRULY MORE

Enter D3O®iP™ technology, which has effectively “flipped the script” by using less material to deliver more – more protection, more comfort, and more dexterity. This approach ensures that the most crucial tools on any job site – the hands of the worker – are not only protected but are also comfortable.

The solution is twofold. First, by integrating D3O®iP™ technology directly onto the glove material rather than relying on sewn-on components, it enhances the durability and the lifespan of the product. Secondly, by opting for a foam nitrile coated seamless knit instead of leather, G-Tek® D3O®iP™ gloves can not only absorb and disperse fluids under pressure, but the lightweight shell significantly improves grip and tactility. This approach protects hands from impact and ensures that the gloves remain breathable, comfortable, and effective even in the most challenging conditions, ultimately boosting wearer acceptability and decreasing the chances of workers removing their gloves and becoming more susceptible to injuries. 

NOTHING PROTECTS BETTER THAN D3O®iP™

By developing the G-Tek® PolyKor™ D3O®iP™ glove line that meets ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 Level 3 Impact Protection, PIP® has set a new benchmark for impact hand protection.

The innovative iP™ (Impact-Printed) approach leverages a 3D printing process that adheres directly onto outer fabrics and substrates, establishing an incredibly durable bond traditional TPR methods cannot match. The result is a glove that offers enhanced hand mobility without sacrificing impact protection—effectively allowing for the use of less material to achieve equal or superior protection compared to standard TPR styles.

What truly distinguishes D3O®iP™ from other impact-resistant gloves is the combination of maximum dexterity with ANSI/ISEA-138 Impact Level 3 compliance. This is achieved by incorporating an exclusive chevron pattern on a 13-gauge coated seamless knit cut glove. This design is engineered to mimic the natural biomotion of the human hand, offering a level of comfort and flexibility seldom seen in the industry. This approach stands in stark contrast to the traditional cut and sewn leather driver gloves, which, despite their widespread use, often fall short in providing the necessary freedom of movement and tactile sensitivity required for precise tasks.

Whether the task involves handling sharp materials or working in environments where cuts and abrasions are a constant threat, D3O®iP™ gloves provide the necessary defense against injuries, all while ensuring that the wearer's hands remain as agile and unrestricted as possible.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF PROTECTION 

D3O®iP™ gloves represent a harmonious blend of protection, comfort and dexterity, setting a new standard for what workers can expect from their protective gear. By incorporating this breakthrough technology, we continue to lead the way in developing solutions that address real-world needs of workers, while also prioritizing both safety and usability.

Ensuring comfort and compliance can be difficult when choosing the most optimal hand protection for your application as there are many factors to consider. Our team of hand protection experts can help simplify the process. Contact us to learn more about our impact-resistant hand protection and the benefits of D3O®iP™ technology.