Which of the following are inspected on Structure gloves?

• A. Burn holes, tears, char, shrinkage, loss of elasticity, and soiling from hazmat materials
• B. Color change only
• C. Stitches integrity only
• D. Absence of odor only

Answer: (A)

Inspecting structure gloves requires checking for a range of damage signs so the glove can still protect the hand. Burn holes and tears are obvious breaches in the barrier that can let heat, chemicals, or debris reach the skin. Char shows heat exposure that may have weakened the material, even if the glove looks okay on the outside. Shrinkage and loss of elasticity affect the fit and dexterity; if the glove fits poorly or feels stiff, it won’t seal properly or allow quick, precise movements in dangerous situations. Soiling from hazmat materials signals contamination and possible chemical degradation, which can compromise both the material and the surface you touch.

Relying on color change alone misses issues like small tears, subtle heat damage, or elasticity loss, and odor alone isn’t a reliable indicator of integrity. A thorough inspection that includes holes, tears, char, shrinkage, elasticity, and contamination provides the best assurance that the gloves will perform when needed.