THE PROBLEM
Workers at Lynchburg, VA location were going through a pair of welding gloves in a week and a half. Besides this, the welding gloves they were using were stiff and ill-fitting, and took a long time to break in. Workers had to keep two pairs going at once; the pair that was broken in and that they enjoyed working in, and the new pair that was on deck waiting to be broken in. They often avoided the new pair, keeping the gloves in service until there was "too much exposed skin to continue to wear them." The result was burn injuries, including two instances of third-degree burns in the prior year. The workers needed a glove solution with dexterity and good fit, instead of the stiff, poorly-fitting, "oven-mitt"-type welding gloves they were currently using.
CUSTOMER
Large Truck Manufacturer
- Annual Revenue: $1B
- Technicians: 400
- Locations: 37
- Total Employees: 1800
APPLICATION
MIG / TIG Welding
INDUSTRY
Heavy Equipment Manufacturer
CUSTOMER CONSIDERATIONS
- What do I have to pay now vs. what am I going to pay
- Workers compensation costs for an injury
- Will new gloves increase productivity
SOLUTION
Mechanix Wear worked closely with Nancy and her team to understand the user requirements, current constraints and primary objectives. Samples were selected based on the application at hand, environmental conditions and worker behavior and preference. Also, the team's requirements for cut, heat, abrasion, impact and puncture are always fully assessed to ensure every element of worker safety is considered. The option selected for the wear trial was the Mechanix Wear Flux Glove from the Torch Welding Series. The Flux is crafted with Durahide top grain cow leather, lined with flame-resistant cotton, and finished with high-tenacity thread with DuPont Kevlar to create the perfect tool for welders. The patented rollover fingertip design repositions exposed seams to improve dexterity, durability and control, which was very important to the technicians.
USER FEEDBACK
Workers responded well immediately to the new gloves. The Flux Torch Welding Gloves have become favorites for their softness, dexterity, and because they're not cumbersome. Another benefit the workers noticed right away was that these don't leave dye on their hands, unlike the previous product they had used. The most beneficial advantage for the technicians was that they no longer needed to break in their gloves and have two pairs on the go. They have no been using Flux gloves for a year and a half and are thrilled with the form, fit and function.