The Hidden Cost of Hand Injuries: The Importance of Proper PPE
On average, an accident happens every 7 seconds in the workplace (Injury, n.d.). According to the ILO, International Labor Organization, 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries occur each year, resulting in more than four days of absence from work (Global, 2020). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that about 1 million trips to the ER, and nearly 20% of injuries each year, are from cuts and lacerations to the hands and fingers (Injury, n.d.). Most users find that the majority of gloves currently offered on the market do not last long enough or provide protection against anything other than getting hands dirty or sunburned. It is no wonder hand injuries are the third highest reported workplace injury (Injury, n.d.).
The cost to companies for work-related injuries is enormous. Injuries from cuts and punctures cost the construction industry alone approximately $382 million each year (Hand, n.d.). A 2011 report by the National Safety Council found the costs associated with these injuries to be staggering. The National Safety Council reports the cost of one disabling hand or finger injury ranges from $540 to $26,000 USD per patient, while serious upper extremity trauma averages greater than $730,000 per incident (Geng, 2018). A trip to the emergency room for simple stitches can cost $2,000 USD, repairing a laceration can cost $7,000, and repairing a severed tendon can exceed $70,000 (Meister, 2018). Bureau of Labor Statistics research indicates companies pay upwards of $1 billion USD in workers’ compensation claims per week (ROI, n.d.).
OSHA determined that 70% of reported injuries are due to workers simply not wearing gloves (Burtney, 2017). When examining why workers were not wearing gloves, it was discovered that most gloves did not fit workers properly. Gloves that are too tight can be constricting and reduce productivity, while gloves that are too large can get caught in machinery (Padron, 2018). In addition, wearing certain types of gloves all day while sweating and preventing the hands from breathing can contribute to occupational skin disorders (Cloward, 2018).
A simple Google search reveals thousands of gloves currently on the market. There are hundreds of single-purpose gloves available: cut-resistant gloves, fire-retardant gloves, abrasion-resistant gloves, impact-resistant gloves, and more, all ranging between $5 and $90 per pair. Companies often purchase thousands of pairs of different glove types each year to protect employees performing various tasks. Doing so results in increased spending, additional SKU management, and wasted time as workers stop, switch gloves, and then continue their work.
However, a simple solution does exist. TRIPLE GAMBIT offers a better option for hand protection that protects users from not just one particular threat, but several. A company that purchases TRIPLE GAMBIT gloves could reduce the number of SKUs it carries, saving storage space while providing equal or better protection with improved dexterity for employees. Companies can also save money through larger-volume purchasing while increasing worker productivity since workers no longer need to repeatedly stop and change gloves throughout the day.
Developing a product that performs equal or superior protection against multiple threats is feasible. Innovative textiles currently available in the marketplace have produced major advancements in weight reduction, tensile strength, durability, and thermal protection. The core of all TRIPLE GAMBIT gloves is Kevlar, a synthesized fiber with inherent protection against cuts, tears, abrasions, and thermal exposure up to approximately 750-800°F (Rohan, 2025).
Thankfully, hand injuries are the second most preventable workplace injury (Geng, 2018). However, there remains a staggering disconnect between those making purchasing decisions and their understanding of the differences between inadequate traditional materials and advanced scientific fibers. It is a constant battle between outdated perceptions and accurate modern information. OSHA reports that more than 70% of hand and arm injuries could have been prevented with proper personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically safety gloves. Of the remaining 30% injured, it was found the worker was wearing inadequate or incorrect gloves for the task at hand (Geng, 2018). OSHA also found that for every $1 invested in PPE, companies see an estimated $4 return through reduced injury costs and improved workplace productivity (ROI, n.d.).
References
Burtney, Matt. (2017, October 6). Keep facts handy: 5 simple statistics to motivate hand protection. ISHN. https://www.ishn.com/articles/107351-keep-facts-handy-5-simple-statistics-to-motivate-hand-protection
Cloward, Matt. (2018, February 1). The Invisible Threat Lurking Under Gloves. OHS Online. https://www.ohsonline.com/articles/2018/02/01/the-invisible-threat-lurking-under-gloves.aspx
Geng, J. (2018, May 18). Hand Injury Statistics. Superior Glove. https://www.superiorglove.com/blog/hand-injury-statistics
Hand Injuries at Work. (n.d.). PPE.org. https://www.ppe.org/hand-injuries-at-work/
Injury Facts: The Source for Injury Stats. (n.d.). National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/infographics/workplace-injuries
Meister, Amy. (2018, August 1). Take Matters Into Your Own Hands: Understanding Hand Injuries in the Workplace. OHS Online. https://www.ohsonline.com/Articles/2018/08/01/Take-Matters-into-Your-Own-Hands.aspx
Padron, Mary. (2018, June 1). Safety Professionals, “We’ve Got a Problem.” OHS Online. https://www.ohsonline.com/Articles/2018/06/01/Safety-Professionals-Weve-Got-a-Problem.aspx
Rohan. (2025, June 22). Nomex vs. Kevlar: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each. Knowing Fabric. https://knowingfabric.com/nomex-vs-kevlar-difference-when-to-use/
ROI Calculator. (n.d.). Superior Glove. https://www.superiorglove.com/en/roi-calculator/
