What type of gloves are primarily used during a collapse operation?

• A. Latex disposable gloves
• B. Leather work gloves
• C. Kevlar gloves
• D. Nitrile gloves

Answer: (B)

Protection during collapse work focuses on guarding hands against sharp, rough debris while preserving grip and dexterity. Leather work gloves provide that balance: the thick leather resists cuts and punctures from nails, glass, and rubble, and the textured surface offers solid grip on tools and materials. They’re durable for heavy handling and can be worn with liners if extra insulation or cut resistance is needed. Disposable latex or nitrile gloves are too thin for rugged debris—they’re great for contamination control but tear easily under rubble. Kevlar gloves offer good cut resistance but can compromise grip and durability for heavy abrasion tasks, so they’re used selectively rather than as the standard. For these reasons, leather work gloves are the primary choice in collapse operations.