Winter Weather Products: Ice Melt and Insulated Gloves

Winter weather brings on a whole new set of challenges. A job that is done outdoors in the summertime will require a lot more equipment come winter—such as insulated gloves and other winter gear to stay warm and ice melt or salt to stay safe in icy conditions. When the cold hits, be prepared with the gear and supplies you need for your business.   

Rock Salt (Ice Melt) 

No matter what line of work you are in, if you live in a cold-weather state, you are affected by ice and snow. Whether it is on the roads, in the parking lot, or on a job site, icy/snowy conditions are a safety concern. The simplest way to combat an icy surface is with a rock salt mix. Most businesses have a legal obligation to keep parking lots, sidewalks and other walking/working surfaces free of ice so they are not a slip-and-fall hazard for employees, customers or visitors.  

How does salt or ice melt work? 

Simply put, salt lowers the freezing point of water. Water normally freezes at 32°F. When salt is added, water can remain liquid at a lower temperature. How much lower depends on the type of rock salt you are using. Adding salt—either ordinary sodium chloride rock salt or another salt compound—helps to prevent ice from forming, which is what you want to avoid hazardous conditions on walking or driving surfaces.  

What types of salt are used for salting roads and sidewalks?  

There are two main types of rock salt that are used for safety purposes. Both can be used to salt sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and roads to prevent ice from forming in the winter. The two main types are:  

• Regular Sodium Chloride Rock Salt  
• Eco-Friendly Magnesium Calcium Chloride Rock Salt 
  
  

But which type of rock salt is best for you?  

Many people are quick to choose the cheapest salt mix available. Regular rock salt (sodium chloride) is generally the most economical option, but as with anything, you get what you pay for. Sodium chloride rock salt is corrosive and primarily meant for asphalt/paved roads. Over time, it will cause damage to concrete and wood. It is not pet- or plant-safe and is only effective to temperatures as low as 5°F. Eco-friendly rock salt (usually magnesium calcium chloride), on the other hand, is more expensive, but it is concrete and wood safe, pet-friendly, and melts ice in temperatures as low as -20°F. As the name suggests, Eco-friendly rock salt is significantly less harmful to the environment in comparison to regular rock salt. 

Using regular rock salt on a sidewalk, driveway, or wooden deck one time is not going to ruin the surface. If you’re only using salt once or twice per year, you might realize some minor cost savings by going with regular rock salt. However, long-term use of regular rock salt on concrete or wood will erode the surface. Paying for a new driveway or deck will be much more expensive than the extra few dollars you would pay for eco-friendly rock salt. 

Insulated Gloves 

For those who work outside in the winter months, having proper protection against the cold is especially important. When you are working outside with your hands, choosing the proper type of insulated glove can make all the difference.  

How do you select the right insulated glove?  

First and foremost, when buying insulated gloves, you want to find something comfortable. Ask yourself the following questions. 

• What size gloves do I need? 
• Will these gloves keep me warm enough? 
• Will these gloves allow me the flexibility to complete my job? 
• Will these gloves keep my hands dry? 
  
  

Insulated gloves come in all shapes & sizes and are made for a variety of applications. If there is work to be done outside in the cold, there is almost certainly an insulated glove made for the job.  

What types of insulated gloves are available?  

For winter workers, there are several types of insulated gloves to choose from. Some we like to recommend include HPT coated, split pig thermal and high-visibility thermal gloves.  

HPT Coated Insulated Glove  

A latex glove with a palm dipped hydro-repellent technology (HPT) coating is a great general-purpose insulated glove choice. The Ninja Ice Glove is an example of this. This glove has a grip on the palm/fingers that is nice for handling objects. They are made with an acrylic cotton/polyester blend that stays soft and flexible below 0°F and keeps your hands inside of the glove warm & dry in wet conditions. This type of glove can be found in all types of work environments, as it is one of the best multi-purpose options on the market.   

Split Pig Thermal Glove  

This is another popular general-purpose insulated glove. The Premium Split Pig Thermo-Sock Lined Glove is one of the most common styles. This style of glove is not especially thick. Their main purpose is to keep your hands dry and warm. Pigskin is a great material for keeping moisture out of the glove. The Split Pig Thermal Glove is a better option than the HPT Coated Glove when it comes to wetness protection. These gloves come with a large safety cuff and a tight seal to protect the wrist. Additionally, it has a thermo-sock lining and full finger protection. Although they are often used in similar applications to the HPT Coated glove, they do not have a latex/dipped palm and therefore do not provide as good of dexterity or grip.  

High Visibility Gloves  

Lastly, it is important to consider whether you need a high-visibility glove. High-visibility gloves are a requirement on many job sites and for those working in high-traffic areas. They come in a variety of styles. Whether you prefer the HPT Coated glove, or the Split Pig Thermal, there are high-visibility options for both. One popular general-purpose high visibility glove is the Orange PowerGrab Thermo HiVis Glove. This is a popular glove on construction sites. They have a high-visibility orange cotton backing. They are often sold to building material suppliers as they have a good grip for carrying materials in the wintertime. However, if they get wet, water will seep through the gloves to your hands.

Finding the Best Winter Weather Products 

When it comes to Ice Melt and Insulated Gloves, it is important to understand what product is right for your situation. If you are interested in purchasing insulated gloves or ice melt, or have specific questions regarding winter products, feel free to call our office at 614-695-6500 or use the chat feature in the bottom right corner of our website and a Benchmark Industrial Product Expert can provide further details.