Nitrile vs Latex vs Vinyl Gloves: Choosing Disposable Gloves for First Aid and the Workplace

Safe Work Australia's model Code of Practice, First aid in the workplace, lists five pairs of disposable nitrile examination gloves in its example first aid kit. The same line explains why: nitrile is a latex-free rubber suitable for people with latex allergies. That sentence goes a long way to answering the nitrile vs latex gloves question for a workplace kit, but not all the way.

Vinyl and latex still have a place. Here's how the three compare, and how we'd stock them.

Which disposable gloves are best for first aid?

For a shared workplace first aid kit, we recommend powder-free nitrile examination gloves. Nitrile is latex-free, and it's the glove Safe Work Australia's model Code lists in its example kit. Keep vinyl for short, low-risk tasks with no expected contact with blood. Use latex only where nobody wearing the gloves or being treated has a latex allergy.

That's our pick for the best disposable gloves for first aid, built on three named sources: the Code, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), and the NHMRC's Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.

Nitrile vs latex gloves vs vinyl: how they compare

Why a shared kit should default away from latex

Latex allergy gloves are simple to define: gloves with no natural rubber latex in them. ASCIA's Latex Allergy FAQ says people with latex allergy should use vinyl or synthetic rubber gloves, and should carry their own supply of non-latex gloves in case of an emergency. ASCIA lists anaphylaxis as the most severe reaction, and says it usually happens in very sensitive people when latex protein is absorbed through moist surfaces such as the mouth or nose.

This is where nitrile vs latex gloves stops being a close call. A workplace kit gets opened by whoever is nearest, for whoever is hurt. You can't screen either person for a latex allergy in that moment, so a latex-free kit takes the question off the table.

Powder matters too. The NHMRC guidelines say that if latex gloves are used they should be non-powdered, because of aerosolisation and an increased risk of latex allergy, and ASCIA says powder can carry latex in the air. Powder-free nitrile gloves sidestep both problems.

Vinyl vs nitrile gloves: where vinyl fits

Vinyl vs nitrile gloves is a closer call than latex, because both are latex-free. The NHMRC table names synthetic gloves such as nitrile for procedures with a high risk of blood-borne virus exposure. Blood contact is what first aid gloves are for, so nitrile goes in the kit.

Vinyl earns its place on short, low-risk jobs where blood isn't expected. The Accutouch vinyl clear gloves box is a powder-free, latex-free option for those tasks.

What to check on the box

• Powder-free. For the allergy reasons above.
• Non-sterile examination gloves. The NHMRC guidelines list non-sterile gloves for managing minor cuts and abrasions. Sterile gloves are for procedures such as complex dressings.
• The standard. Examination gloves made from rubber latex or rubber solution are covered by AS/NZS 11193.1:2026, which replaced AS/NZS 4011.1:2014 in March 2026. Vinyl examination gloves are covered by AS/NZS 4011.2:2014.
• Size. Stock more than one size, so the person reaching into the kit isn't stuck with gloves that don't fit.

The TGA's guidance on personal protective equipment, which names gloves as an example, says PPE intended to prevent disease is regulated as a medical device, and PPE that is a medical device must be included in the ARTG to be legally supplied in Australia.

Which glove for which setting

First aid kits

Nitrile, as the Code's example kit shows. The Code also asks first aiders to wash their hands before and after giving first aid. For the full kit list, see what a workplace first aid kit needs to contain, or the office first aid kit contents for a low-risk site.

Food handling

Food Standards Australia New Zealand advises food handlers not to touch ready-to-eat food with bare hands, and to use tongs or gloves instead. The underlying obligations sit in Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code. ASCIA advises people with latex allergy to avoid takeaway food prepared or served by people wearing latex gloves. Keep latex out of the kitchen.

Cleaning

The NHMRC guidelines say reusable utility gloves are preferable for handling cleaning products. Non-sterile, single-use gloves may also be suitable for neutral detergent and cleaning wipes in patient care areas, if the cleaning product manufacturer's instructions for use or work health and safety requirements don't rule them out.

Aged care and personal care

The NHMRC guidelines say a local policy is required on alternative glove types when patients have latex allergies, and that gloves must be changed between patients and after every episode of individual care.

How many gloves to stock

The Code's example kit holds five pairs. Treat that as the floor for each kit, not the stock for the whole site.

Our recommendation is five pairs in every kit across at least two sizes, plus a spare box on site for refills. The NHMRC guidelines say gloves other than utility gloves should be treated as single-use items, and discarded, not washed. They also get borrowed for jobs that have nothing to do with first aid, so count them at every workplace first aid kit audit. For keeping kits topped up, see the true cost of refill packs vs onsite restocking.

Each state and territory regulates work health and safety in its own jurisdiction, so check which code applies where you work, and see workplace first aid compliance in Australia for the wider picture.

Get the right gloves in the kit

We assemble and supply workplace first aid kits from our East Bendigo warehouse. When it's time to restock gloves, you'll find powder-free nitrile in our nitrile gloves range, or browse all disposable gloves. First aid kit refills cover the rest.

For multi-site or bulk orders, call 03 5443 2239 or email info@firstaiddistributions.com.au. If you're comparing suppliers, here's where a business can buy first aid supplies.

Related articles

• What a compliant workplace first aid kit actually needs to contain
• How to audit your workplace first aid kit
• Refill packs vs onsite restocking services: the true cost of keeping first aid kits compliant