Oil and gas workers face some of the harshest conditions in the workforce. From handling sharp steel cables and heavy gas pipes to working around high-heat chemicals and constantly slick surfaces, the risks are everywhere. In fact, hand and finger injuries in the oil and gas industry have historically made up nearly 50% of all recordable incidents. Cuts, crush injuries, chemical burns, and impact injuries are all part of the daily environment – and without the right protection, those risks can turn serious fast.

Severe injuries to the upper extremities are also alarmingly common. Between 2015 and mid-2022, 43% of all serious work-related injuries in the oil and gas sector involved the upper extremities, most of which were hand-related.

Safety gloves are never a “one-size-fits-all” solution. A pair that works for one task may fall short for another. Safety professionals need gloves tailored to specific hazards, environments, and job demands, all with the durability to last and be comfortable for the workers wearing it.

When evaluating gloves for oil and gas applications, here are four critical features to look for:

1. Oil resistance
2. Heat resistance for protection against sparks, flames, and extreme temperatures
3. Additional protection (impact, cut, abrasion)
4. Style and fit

Let's break down the key features – starting with oil resistance and why it’s essential for every glove in the oil and gas industry. 

1. The benefits of oil-resistant tech in gloves:

Why do oil and gas workers need oil-resistant gloves? Because oil, fuel, and drilling fluids don’t just create messy worksites, they break down skin, weaken glove material, and make tools dangerously slippery to handle. Without the right glove technology, even simple tasks like tightening a valve or carrying a pipe can turn into a major safety hazard.

That’s why oil-resistant gloves are a must-have in the oil and gas industry. The right coatings and treatments combine grip control with repelling properties, ensuring workers maintain a secure hold in slick environments whole keeping oils from soaking into the gloves.

Common palm coatings for oily conditions include:

• Sandy nitrile and micro-foam nitrile: Channel oil away from the surface while maintaining a tacky, slip-resistant grip.
• Polyurethane (PU): A lightweight, dexterous option ideal for light-oil precision tasks.
• HexArmor’s TPX® palm: A durable, abrasion-resistant synthetic material with a specialized texture that delivers reliable grip even in oil-saturated conditions. The proprietary TP-X® palm helps workers maintain control in the toughest environments.

Leather glove coating options:

• OilGuard®: A spray-on treatment that provides strong, long-term oil and water repellency without stiffening or breaking down the leather.
• OilGuard®+: A next-generation baked-in treatment that permanently bonds into the leather fibers, delivering maximum oil resistance for the life of the glove.

Both solutions are engineered to perform in real-world oil-field conditions, giving safety professionals options depending on preference, budget, and application.

The result? Gloves that don’t just protect your hands from oil exposure, but give workers the confidence to handle heavy, slippery equipment without hesitation.  

2. Heat resistance: Protection against sparks, flames, and extreme temperatures

Why do oil and gas workers need heat-resistant gloves? Jobs around rigs, refineries, and pipelines often bring workers face-to-face with high heat, open flames, and even arc flash hazards. Without proper protection, gloves can quickly fail, leading to painful burns and other heat-related injuries.

Heat-resistant gloves are essential for oil and gas applications. Depending on the task, gloves should be engineered with:

• Contact heat ratings (ANSI/ISEA 105-2024): Tested to withstand direct contact with hot equipment or surfaces.
• Flame-resistant construction: Materials that won’t ignite or melt when exposed to sparks or flames.
• Arc flash resistance (ASTM F2675/NFPA 70E): Specialized protection for electrical tasks where sudden flashes of intense light or heat can occur.

Key technologies to look for include aramid or Kevlar® stitching, which holds strong under extreme temperatures, and treated leathers that add a layer of heat and flame defense. Select HexArmor® leather gloves are specifically designed for welding and hot work – like in the oil and gas industry and refineries – ensuring the gloves won’t fail when exposed to extreme conditions.  

3. Additional protection: Impact, cut, and abrasion resistance

What other protections should oil and gas gloves provide? Beyond oil resistance and heat protection, gloves in the oil and gas industry must defend against the everyday hazards that cause some of the most common and costly injuries on the job.

Impact protection: Heavy pipes, wrenches, and equipment create constant crush and smash risks. Gloves with impact-resistant designs – like HexArmor’s IR-X® impact exoskeleton, rated for ANSI/ISEA 138 levels, help to absorb and dissipate force, protecting knuckles and fingers from serious injury.

Cut resistance: Handling steel cables, jagged pipe ends, and sharp tools means cuts and punctures are a daily threat. Gloves built with added cut protection, like our exclusively-licensed SuperFabric® brand material, provide industry-leading cut and needlestick protection with 360-degree coverage, perfect for the unexpected hazards the oil and gas industry throws at you.

Abrasion resistance: Oil and gas jobs are tough on PPE. Rope pulls, rigging, and pipe handling quickly wear down ordinary gloves. High-abrasion materials ensure gloves last longer, saving costs and reducing the need for frequent glove replacements.  

Comfort that drives compliance through style and fit

Why does glove style and fit matter in the oil and gas industry? Because even the most protective glove won’t help if workers don’t wear it. Poorly fitting gloves cause hand fatigue, reduce dexterity, and often end up discarded when they’re needed most.

Safety professionals should prioritize gloves with ergonomic, form-fitting designs. Features like innovative liners, seamless knits, and flexible materials strike the right balance between dexterity and protection, ensuring gloves are flexible and move naturally with the hand instead of working against it. 

Glove style also matters, and different jobs demand different builds.

• Leather gloves: Rugged durability for handling heavy pipe, tools, and equipment with long-lasting performance in abrasive environments.
• Knit gloves: Lightweight breathability with cut resistance, ideal for tasks requiring precision handling of smaller tools, valves, or controls.
• Gauntlet-style gloves: Extended wrist and arm coverage for added protection during drilling, rigging, and when working around sharp edges or chemicals.
• Impact gloves: Protect against crush and pinch injuries during high-risk tasks like lifting, pipe handling, or working in close quarters with heavy machinery.
• Fluid-resistant gloves: Essential in areas where workers regularly encounter oils, fuels, drilling fluids, or other chemicals, helping maintain grip while preventing skin contact.

The HexArmor® lineup for oil and gas

At HexArmor®, our gloves are purpose-built for the extreme demands of oil and gas. Whether the priority is oil resistance, heat protection, impact defense, or overall Wearability®, we have proven solutions that align with every hazard. 

Overall, it comes down to what’s needed or required at your jobsite, and what gloves come down to the safety manager’s preference. Our goal is to provide safety professionals with the technologies and options they need to make the right call for their teams.

Chrome Series®: Rugged protection built for oilfield work, with industry-leading cut protection thanks to SuperFabric® brand material, plus impact and abrasion resistance. These gloves are designed for heavy-duty applications where durability and high-level protection are non-negotiable. (Ideal gloves: 4090IMP, 4026).

Chrome SLT® Series: The ideal balance of high performance with all-day comfort, featuring OilGuard®+ leather treatments, making them ideal for tasks that demand both rugged protection and flexibility. (Ideal gloves: 5071/5071IMP with OilGuard®+, 5072/5072IMP with OilGuard®+, 5073/5073IMP with OilGuard®+, 4060, 4061, 4066, 4067, 4073).

Helix® Series: Seamless knit gloves with ergonomic liners and advanced coatings for precision grip and comfort in oily environments. (Ideal gloves: 3014/3014IMP, 3013/3013IMP, 1074/1074IMP, 1075/1075IMP, 3027/3027IMP, 3060, 3062/3062IMP, 3051, 3052).

Rig Lizard® Series: Maximum grip, dexterity, and IR-X® impact protection designed specifically for oil and gas tasks. (Ideal gloves: 2028X, 2021X). 

Bottom line: when evaluating oil and gas gloves, remember the four essentials: oil resistance, heat resistance, additional hazard protection, and style/fit. We bring them all together with gloves engineered to handle the world’s toughest worksites.

Let us know if you need help or are ready to start a trial – our Solution Specialists are ready to help. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.