PSC HAND SAFETY

KONG in India since 2008–09

How glove selection grew from basic coverage to protection matched to the task.

From general purpose gloves to task specific protection

For years, knitted cotton gloves with dotted palms were a familiar choice in Indian workshops and stores. They were inexpensive, easy to issue and useful for grip and light abrasion. As work involved heavier equipment, moving steel and more demanding handling, buyers needed to consider hazards that a basic palm coating was not designed to address. A glove for cartons and dry components is not automatically a glove for a drilling deck. Cuts, abrasion and contact to the back of the hand affect different areas. Grip also changes with the surface, oil, water and wear. Selecting by exposure means asking what the worker touches, where contact can occur and whether the glove remains usable through the task.

KONG and the oilfield requirement

Ironclad’s Glovepedia traces KONG development to collaboration with the oil-and-gas safety community in 2007 and its launch in 2008. The development addressed back-of-hand impact exposure as well as working grip and dexterity. Segmented protective elements covered vulnerable areas while allowing the hand to move.

PSC brought the conversation to India

PSC introduced KONG impact protection gloves to India in 2008–09. At that time, this category was unfamiliar to many buyers. Practical demonstrations and discussions with safety and operations teams helped explain the difference between a basic work glove and one designed for specific handling exposures. The conversation included comfort, fit and usable life. A glove that is uncomfortable or restricts a necessary movement may be removed during the task. A glove that wears quickly may need frequent replacement. Trials on the actual job help buyers assess these issues alongside the protection ratings.

Choosing the range today

Our website presents a focused selection of KONG, EXO and Ironclad models. The choice begins with the task: palm material, grip, cut resistance, impact coverage, dexterity and fit. Current product sheets belong beside each model, so users can compare the details rather than rely on a general brand claim. Gloves form one part of hand protection. Where hands can be kept away from moving equipment or a suspended load, improve the method and use appropriate handling tools. An impact glove does not make severe crushing or entrapment safe.