Gloves are one of the most important meat processing supplies for workplace safety. They protect both the butcher and meat products from contamination, injury, and other hazards by creating a durable barrier between the butcher and any tools or meat products handled daily.

What to Consider When Choosing Meat Processing Gloves

When choosing gloves for meat processing, it’s essential to consider the specific workplace hazards you will encounter in your particular line of work. The amount and type of hazards will vary from mom-and-pop butcher shops to large meat processing plants, as well as the cuts of meat you are working with. Here are five workplace hazards to consider when selecting meat processing supplies, and what kind of gloves you need for each:

1. Contamination

The risk of bacteria is high in food processing environments. And the risk is even greater when working with raw animal products. Disposable gloves help reduce cross-contamination and protect both meat processing workers and consumers, as they can be changed frequently to ensure no bacteria is being transferred between food products or from the employee’s hands.

2. Hazardous Chemicals

The various oils, acids, solvents, and cleaners used to maintain a sanitary meat processing facility can harm the skin. They can also be damaging to some glove materials, so it’s important to use chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or latex) when cleaning the workspace before and after meat processing.

3. Temperatures

When dealing with cold meats that need to be kept at safe temperatures, insulated or thermal gloves can keep the hands from growing numb after hours of working in a chilly environment and handling cool products. These insulated or thermal gloves can also add a layer of defense between the warm hands of the butcher and the cold meat, decreasing heat transfer to reduce bacterial growth and protect the shelf life of meat products during processing.

Processing hot instead of cold? Kevlar gloves provide protection while handling hot objects up to 500 degrees, making them ideal for any meat processor or butcher who works with hot meat products.

4. Knife-related Injuries

Butchers use many different types of knives every day to chop, slice, and bone various meat products. This presents a high risk of cuts and punctures. In addition to harming the butcher, knife-related injuries can also contaminate the meat. Any meat processing employee utilizing knives in the workplace should wear cut-resistant gloves or metal mesh gloves to protect their hands and forearms.

5. Food Safety

Gloves themselves can become a contaminant if the materials shed or fray and get into the meat products during processing. For example, winter mittens or leather driving gloves aren’t going to cut it (pun intended) for safe meat processing. Butchers need to invest in good quality, food-safe gloves that will not contaminate or compromise the integrity of the meat during processing.

Make sure your meat processing gloves are FDA-approved or listed as “approved for food contact.” Some meat processing gloves are made with anti-microbial materials, which are excellent for further controlling bacteria and cross-contamination.

Can I Layer My Gloves?

If you are dealing with multiple workplace hazards at once (as is usually the case), it can be difficult to find gloves that solve all of your meat processing needs in a single pair. Layering different types of gloves is a good way to cover all your bases and ensure you keep yourself and your meat products safe.

Many meat processing facilities require their employees to layer gloves. For example, wearing disposable gloves on top of a pair of cotton knit gloves protects the employee from injury while avoiding the cross-contamination that can occur when using a single pair of gloves all day. Layering metal mesh over a cut-resistant pair is also a valuable way to double-up on personal protective equipment to keep your hands guaranteed safe.

Best Gloves for Meat Processing

Looking for the overall best gloves to suit your meat processing needs? Here are our top picks in the most essential categories for meat processing:

Best Cut-Resistant Gloves

For that perfect balance of dexterity and reliable cut-resistant materials, nothing compares to Workhorse cut-resistant gloves. Made with FDA-approved antimicrobial fibers and providing 100% latex and silicone-free comfort, these hardy gloves are built to withstand more than just cuts, holding up against chemical contaminants and even being fully machine washable. With a variety of cut-resistance levels, Workhorse gloves give you the flexibility to find the fit and mobility you need without sacrificing on protection.

Best Metal Mesh Gloves

For even greater equipment as butchers arm themselves for a day of meat processing, Workhorse again takes the gold ribbon with their selection of metal mesh gloves. They are long-lasting, reliable, comfortable, and affordable, giving you a quadruple whammy of meat processing power. Workhorse metal mesh gloves also come in options with either claw hook or spring closures to keep them from slipping off as you work.

Best Disposable Gloves

When stocking up on disposable gloves for your meat processing facility, you can’t go wrong with these premium nitrile disposable gloves. These gloves will provide protection against animal fats, oil-based solvents, petroleum, and caustics with the added benefit of durable puncture resistance. The powder-free design will keep your hands clean, and the vibrant colors will make it easy to detect any accidental food contamination.

Protect Your Hands with Help from Bunzl

Just as you have your preference for knives when cutting meats you should also find the ultimate gloves that will give you the comfort and protection you need for your work! Bunzl is your partner in food processing safety, and our personal protective equipment for butchers is never in short supply! Browse our wide selection of food processing gloves to find the right fit for you.