If you want to understand the evolution of hand protection in the workplace, look no further than the Electrolux plant in Memphis, Tennessee. Nearly half of the plant’s 500 employees are women – well ahead of national numbers showing women making up about 27 percent of the manufacturing workforce. What’s different in Memphis? It’s a newer facility, and everything from automated operations to a brighter, more worker-friendly environment seems to be making the factory more appealing to women. We’re seeing similar trends in factories around the world, even if growth in the U.S. is more measured.1
What does this have to do with hand protection? Practically speaking, it’s creating a significant new demand for industrial gloves in smaller sizes. That may sound simple, but it’s not. Few manufacturers are mass-producing gloves in sizes suitable for women, and the adjustments go beyond size and must account for variances in muscle fatigue and dexterity. Additionally, the changing nature of manufacturing jobs – including an increasing emphasis on final assembly as heavy assembly becomes increasingly automated – shifts the focus for gloves toward dexterity, tactility and comfort. And understand: Every innovation in hand protection is driven by a desire to improve the comfort, performance and protection of today’s workers.