Every day, workers across Australia face impact hazards that can cause serious hand injuries. Here’s how advances in glove technology are changing the way industries protect their workforce.
What is impact protection?
When people think about hand protection, cut resistance is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, many workplace injuries aren’t caused by sharp edges, they’re caused by blunt force impacts.
A dropped shackle, swinging chain, heavy pipe, hand tools or materials shifting unexpectedly can all result in serious injuries to the back of the hand. Even relatively small impacts can cause fractures, crushed knuckles and soft tissue damage that keep workers off the job for extended periods.
That’s where impact protection gloves come in.
Unlike cut-resistant gloves, which are designed to resist blades or sharp edges, impact protection gloves are specifically engineered to reduce the force transferred to the hand when an object strikes it.
As industries continue to improve workplace safety, impact protection has become an increasingly important part of PPE, particularly across mining, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing and other heavy industries.
The challenge with traditional impact gloves
For years, impact protection meant thick rubber guards stitched across the back of the glove.
While these designs offered protection, they often came at the expense of flexibility and comfort. Workers found them bulky, difficult to handle tools with and uncomfortable during long shifts.
Unfortunately, uncomfortable PPE often ends up not being worn when workers need it the most.
The challenge for manufacturers became finding a way to deliver high levels of protection without compromising the comfort and dexterity workers rely on every day.
How HexArmor changed impact protection
HexArmor took a different approach to solving the challenge of impact protection. Rather than simply adding thicker rubber to the back of a glove, HexArmor developed its IR-X® Impact Exoskeleton® technology, an advanced impact protection system designed to help reduce the force transferred to the hand while still allowing excellent flexibility and movement.
Unlike traditional one-piece impact guards, IR-X® uses individually designed impact zones that move naturally with the hand. Each section can flex independently, helping workers grip tools, handle equipment and complete repetitive tasks more comfortably without the stiffness often associated with impact gloves.
Every impact guard is carefully designed to help absorb and redirect impact energy away from vulnerable areas such as the knuckles and fingers. Instead of allowing force in one area, the technology helps spread the impact across the protective structure before it reaches the hand.
The result is impact protection that works with the wearer not against them, providing protection and confidence while still allowing the comfort, flexibility and control needed to get the job done.
Designed for real-world worksites
Innovation means very little if it doesn’t perform where it matters most.
That’s why HexArmor developed IR-X® technology specifically for demanding industrial environments where workers face repeated impact hazards every day.
Whether handling drill rods on a mine site, moving steel sections in fabrication, servicing heavy equipment or working around pipe and chain, the technology has been designed to deliver reliable protection while allowing the natural movement needed to perform the job safely.
Combined with cut resistance, grip technology and ergonomic glove designs, IR-X® forms part of a complete hand protection solution rather than simply adding another layer of rubber.
Independently tested for confidence
Performance claims are only valuable if they’re backed by recognised testing.
HexArmor impact protection gloves are independently tested against internationally recognised standards, including ANSI/ISEA 138 for impact protection and EN388 for mechanical protection, giving safety managers confidence that the gloves have been assessed under rigorous testing conditions.
For Australian workplaces, EN388 provides the recognised benchmark for back-of-hand impact performance, ensuring gloves meet strict testing requirements before achieving certification.
Protecting workers where it matters most
As workplace hazards continue to evolve, so must the PPE designed to protect against them. Today’s impact protection gloves are no longer just about adding another layer of rubber, they’re about using smarter materials and better engineering to reduce injury while allowing workers to perform at their best.
Technologies like HexArmor’s IR-X® Impact Exoskeleton®, available through uvex safety Australia, are helping set a benchmark for impact protection by combining flexibility, comfort and proven performance into one solution.
Because when workers are more comfortable wearing their PPE, they’re more likely to keep it on, providing the protection they need when it matters most.
