Calculator inputs
Example data table
| Scenario | Workers | Workdays | Shifts/day | Pairs/shift | Loss % | Safety % | Pairs/box | Cost/pair | Total pairs | Boxes | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-out crew (single shift) | 30 | 22 | 1 | 1.2 | 6 | 10 | 50 | $0.45 | 924 | 19 | $415.80 |
| Steel works (higher loss) | 18 | 26 | 1 | 2.0 | 15 | 12 | 72 | $2.20 | 1206 | 17 | $2,653.20 |
| Two-shift interior works | 40 | 20 | 2 | 1.0 | 7 | 10 | 50 | $0.35 | 1884 | 38 | $659.40 |
Formula used
This calculator estimates total glove pairs needed for a working period, then converts pairs into boxes and cost.
| Effective workers | Workers × (Attendance% ÷ 100) |
| Planned pairs | Effective workers × Workdays × Shifts/day × Pairs/worker/shift |
| Extra pairs | Effective workers × Workdays × Extra pairs/worker/day |
| Subtotal pairs | Planned pairs + Extra pairs |
| Damage & loss pairs | Subtotal × (Loss% ÷ 100) |
| Safety stock pairs | (Subtotal + Damage) × (Safety% ÷ 100) |
| Total pairs (rounded) | Ceiling(Subtotal + Damage + Safety) |
| Boxes required | Ceiling(Total pairs ÷ Pairs per box) |
| Total cost | Total pairs × Cost per pair |
How to use this calculator
- Enter the average number of workers who require gloves each working day.
- Set attendance factor to reflect typical absenteeism or rotation.
- Choose shifts per day and pairs used per worker per shift.
- Add extra pairs for wet trades, contamination, visitors, or rework.
- Set damage & loss and safety stock to match your risk level.
- Confirm pairs per box and cost per pair, then calculate.
- Download CSV or PDF to share with procurement and site supervision.
Crew-Based Consumption Baseline
Glove demand starts with effective headcount, not payroll headcount. If 60 workers are planned but attendance averages 92%, the effective crew is 55.2. Multiply effective workers by workdays, shifts per day, and pairs per worker per shift to estimate planned pairs. On mixed-trade sites, 1.0-1.5 pairs per worker per shift suits finishing work, while steel handling can exceed 2.0.
Shift Patterns and Task Intensity
Double shifts raise consumption faster than many teams expect because changeovers and overtime increase glove swaps. For example, 35 effective workers, 20 workdays, 2 shifts, and 1.2 pairs per shift produces 1,680 planned pairs before extras. Use the "extra pairs per worker per day" field to capture wet trades, chemical exposure, or visitor issuance, commonly 0.1-0.3 pairs/day.
Allowance for Loss and Contamination
Loss factors reflect tears, punctures, oil contamination, and misplaced stock. A controlled interior fit-out may run 4-8% loss, while rebar, formwork, and demolition can reach 12-20%. Apply loss to subtotal pairs so the allowance scales with crew size and duration. Tracking weekly issued vs. counted inventory helps validate whether your current loss percentage is realistic.
Safety Stock and Reorder Planning
Safety stock protects you from late deliveries and sudden scope changes. Many projects carry 7-14 days of demand as buffer; in percentage terms, that is often 8-15% for month-long plans. If your lead time is five days and usage averages 90 pairs/day, target at least 450 pairs plus buffer. Rounding up totals and boxes avoids partial box shortfalls. Review assumptions at each phase gate.
Cost Control and Reporting Outputs
Cost per pair drives budget forecasts and compares glove types fairly. If nitrile is $0.45 and cut-resistant is $2.20, swapping 500 pairs changes spend by $875. Use export files to share assumptions with procurement, document revisions, and archive approvals. Standardize issue points and record daily drawdowns to pinpoint crews with abnormal usage. Regularly update price, packaging (pairs per box), and usage rates to keep forecasts aligned with site reality.
FAQs
What does pairs per worker per shift represent?
Average pairs issued to one worker during one shift, including normal replacements. Use observed issue logs. Finishing trades often need 1.0-1.5, while high-abrasion tasks may require 2.0 or more.
How should I choose attendance factor?
Set it to typical daily presence for glove-requiring workers. If 50 are scheduled and 46 usually show, use 92%. For rotating crews, use weekly averages to reduce volatility.
Should loss rate include missing stock?
Yes. Include any non-recoverable pairs: tears, contamination, discarded gloves, and missing stock. Start with 5-8% for controlled work, then raise it if weekly counts show recurring gaps.
How do I set safety stock?
Base it on lead time and risk. Multiply daily average pairs by supplier lead time in days, then add buffer for weather or scope changes. Many sites use 8-15% for month-long plans.
Why do totals round up?
Gloves ship in whole pairs and boxes. Rounding up prevents short orders when calculations produce fractions, and it simplifies purchasing. A small surplus is usually cheaper than urgent deliveries or downtime.
Can I compare glove types with this tool?
Yes. Keep the same crew and usage inputs, then switch glove type and cost per pair. Compare total cost and boxes to see the budget impact of higher-protection selections.