SHOWA has introduced ChemRest CC700, a new glove developed to solve a long-standing safety challenge in high-risk sectors: achieving dependable chemical resistance and strong cut protection without sacrificing dexterity.

Workers in industries including mining, chemicals, oil and gas, and heavy construction are routinely exposed to sharp edges and hazardous liquids. Until now, employers have typically faced a trade off between thick chemical resistant gloves that restrict movement or lighter cut resistant gloves that fail to provide sufficient protection from liquids. CC700 has been engineered specifically to eliminate this limitation.

The glove features an 18 gauge seamless HPPE knit liner that delivers a close, flexible fit. This is paired with a double dipped nitrile coating and a rough textured palm that enhances grip in oily or wet environments. The design improves durability, control and comfort while helping reduce the hand fatigue that often results from wearing chemical protective gloves for long periods.

ChemRest CC700 is certified to EN 388:2016 cut protection at Level E (ANSI A5) and EN 374 1:2016 Type A chemical resistance. This makes it a genuine dual protection solution for today’s demanding workplaces. Safety is further supported by an orange indicator yarn embedded in the liner, which makes damage or wear visible more quickly.

“Employers have long faced the dilemma of protecting their teams against both chemical and cut hazards without forcing them to compromise on performance,” said Tony Lynch, Vice President EMEA & USA, SHOWA. “ChemRest CC700 is the first glove in its class to deliver robust protection on both fronts while maintaining the dexterity needed for precise tasks. It not only improves safety but also simplifies PPE selection and inventory management for our customers.”

By removing the need for multiple glove types on site, CC700 helps streamline PPE training and reduces the risk of workers selecting the wrong protection in fast paced environments. Available in sizes from S to XXL, it has been developed with diverse workforces in mind and is suited to mineral handling, chemical treatment, painting, spray workshops and drilling tasks.

The launch of CC700 reinforces SHOWA’s standing as an innovator in industrial hand protection. By integrating advanced cut resistant yarns with proven chemical barrier technologies, the company continues to push safety standards forward for high risk industries.

UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has outlined five essential safety requirements that all workers must follow at job sites, stressing that adherence to protective measures is not simply procedural but a critical necessity to safeguard workers and those around them.

MoHRE stated that workers must wear a helmet, safety vest, protective footwear, safety goggles, and ear protection against noise, according to a report by Gulf News. 

These requirements form part of an integrated occupational health and safety framework aligned with Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations, its executive regulations, and related ministerial decisions. The law also sets out a full range of preventive measures to be implemented at workplaces and labour accommodations.

MoHRE emphasised that the UAE places strong importance on creating a safe and attractive work environment, supported by proactive legislation governing workplace safety and labour accommodation. “Occupational health and safety is a top priority for the ministry, which strictly enforces the law against any violations,” MoHRE said, highlighting initiatives such as the Wage Protection System, which safeguards workers’ rights and ensures timely salary payments. The ministry added that strengthening health and safety practices enhances the UAE’s global competitiveness, boosts productivity, and supports a stable skilled workforce that drives economic growth.

Key safety rules

The report noted that MoHRE has identified four official channels for reporting occupational safety violations: the call centre (600590000), the MoHRE smart application, the official website, and the ministry’s verified social media platforms.

The Occupational Health and Safety Manual requires employers to provide appropriate protective equipment to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fire hazards, and to comply with all preventive measures issued by the ministry. Companies must display detailed safety instructions in Arabic and other languages where necessary, in visible areas of the workplace, along with warning signs near hazardous locations.

Employers must also appoint qualified first-aid supervisors, maintain fully equipped first-aid kits, and ensure adequate fire prevention and firefighting tools suitable for their operations. They are required to regularly assess workplace conditions to ensure sufficient protection for workers and take practical steps to reduce or eliminate risks.

The guidelines further highlight precautions against falling objects, sharp tools, high temperatures, flammable materials, compressed gases, and electrical hazards.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has won two energy industry awards for its next-generation industrial thermal insulative system Heat-Flex Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB), which not only offers excellent thermal efficiency but also eliminates costly and dangerous corrosion under insulation (CUI)

They include a 2025 Gulf Energy Information Excellence Award for Best Coating/Corrosion Advancement Technology and a 2025 Vaaler Award from Chemical Processing. The Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards recognise the energy industry’s leading innovations and thought leaders, while the Vaaler Awards, established more than 50 years ago by Chemical Processing, recognise products and services that dramatically improve the operations and economics of chemical processing plants.

Heat-Flex AEB works by building a thick film of highly insulative material on to assets required to maintain operating temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), with excursions to 400°F (204°C). The thermal insulative system retains process heat inside the applied assets, allowing them to continue operating even in extreme environments. It also reduces burn risk for employees working in close proximity to hot assets.

The thermal insulative system rivals the in-service thermal performance of traditional mineral-based insulation systems, due to their tendency to absorb and trap moisture that infiltrates their exterior cladding. This moisture dramatically reduces the insulating capacity of the insulation and contributes to the acceleration of CUI. Heat-Flex AEB maintains thermal consistency and will remain at that same level of insulating capacity throughout its service life.

“We engineered Heat-Flex AEB to replace the bulky mineral-based insulation that’s traditionally used on storage tanks, process vessels, valves, fittings and piping to retain process heat,” said Neil Wilds, global product director, CUI/Testing, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

“This replacement thereby removes the corrosion zone between traditional insulation and the substrate, eliminating the potential for CUI to form by default. Winning two big industry awards for the technology is a testament to the system’s ability to reduce costs associated with corrosion, improve carbon footprints and enhance efficiencies for operators in the energy industry.”

Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief of Chemical Processing said Sherwin Williams’ Heat-Flex AEB thermal insulative system “represents the kind of breakthrough thinking that not only solves today’s operational challenges but also sets new standards for safety, efficiency and sustainability in chemical processing.”