If the hazard is radiant heat, the fabric should be reflective. Leather is effective against hot surfaces, and cotton or other fabrics may be adequate for moderate heat or cold. Electricity requires special rubber gloves with insulated liners. Do not use gloves designed for chemical protection, as they are not good for electrical hazards. Sharp objects should be handled only by people wearing cut-resistant gloves, often made of a metal mesh.
Rough surfaces call for leather gloves.
Corrosives need gloves made of neoprene or nitrile rubber. Slippery objects should be handled by workers wearing gloves made of cotton or other fabrics. Chemicals pose a variety of hazards, and the correct glove is critical. You have to select a glove made of a material that truly offers protection against the chemical in question and, equally important, a material that won't react in a dangerous way with that chemical. Gloves worn to protect against chemicals also require care in use and maintenance.