[pbhjpbhj]

>Just thinking of handling steel tools with un-gloved hands //

Nearly all the mechanics I see working now in the UK have gloves, tight fitting "latex" ones. I suspect it's in part to do with evidence suggesting used engine oil is strong carcinogen, and also because most garages have open fronts here. There are plenty of other fluids knocking around you don't really want to be in contact with a lot; also even light latex gloves will stop some scuffs and nicks. I've used them myself occasionally, when it's very cold (just above 0degC/freezing) they help a lot.

Gloves seem more common the more expensive the service is too, so it might be a company mandated 'health and safety' protection.

[jacquesm]

Interesting. I've never found gloves I could comfortably work with, especially when the area I'm working on is out of view (which is more often than not with cars). Which inevitably leads to lots of scrapes so I can totally understand why gloves would be mandatory.