Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
On this page
A glove box holder is a wall-mounted or bench-top frame that holds the cardboard box of disposable gloves so a staff member can pull one out at the point of use. This page is for clinic, lab and procurement staff who need to know what the common types are, how they mount, and what height to mount them at.
What a glove box holder is
A glove box holder holds the manufacturer’s glove box in place, usually open at the front or top, so gloves stay within reach and the box does not slide around a counter or cart. It is different from a car’s glove compartment, which is unrelated to this product. It is also a different product from a glove dispenser, covered below.
Who uses it: clinic exam rooms, laboratories and any workspace where disposable gloves are put on frequently. For how a holder fits into a room fit-out, see exam room furnishing checklist, and for cart-mounted versions see medical cart accessories.
How it is built
One widely sold line, the Heathrow Scientific glovebox holders, is made of clear acrylic. Its clear body makes it easy to identify glove types at a glance. Each holder is supplied with a polyester foam insert that secures glove boxes of various sizes, and the holders can be wall mounted in areas with limited space, with screws included.
Types and variants
| Type | Typical use | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Single-box holder | One glove type or size at a work position | Accepts one standard-size glove box |
| Two-box holder | Two glove types or sizes side by side | Accepts two standard-size glove boxes |
| Three-box holder | Small, medium and large gloves together | Accepts three standard-size glove boxes |
Source: Heathrow Scientific glovebox holders at Weber Scientific (single, two-box and three-box models), checked 2026-10-30. All three models are clear acrylic, wall-mountable, and supplied with screws and a foam insert.
Choosing the number of boxes
The practical difference is how many glove boxes fit. A multi-box holder lets one position keep several sizes in reach; see glove sizes and what a nitrile glove is for what the sizes and materials mean. The foam insert on the models above is supplied to secure boxes of various sizes.
Mounting height and reach
Where a facility treats a glove holder as something every user must be able to reach, the U.S. Access Board’s 2010 ADA Standards give the reach yardstick. Section 308.2.1 (unobstructed forward reach) sets the high forward reach at 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum and the low forward reach at 15 inches (380 mm) minimum above the floor. Section 308.3.1 sets the same limits for side reach. Section 309.4 says the force to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum.
These provisions apply to accessible elements and operable parts. A glove box holder is not itself a regulated product under them, so treat the range as a mounting yardstick, not a certification. Source: U.S. Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards, checked 2026-10-30.
Glove dispenser vs glove box holder
Searches for a “glove dispenser” or “wall mounted glove dispenser” return both products. A glove box holder keeps the manufacturer’s box in a frame, and gloves are taken from the box itself; wall mounting, as on the holders above, is one way of mounting that frame. A product listed as a dispenser may use a different mechanism, so the item description shows whether it holds a whole box.
Safe use and handling basics
A holder places the box where gloves are used. For storage conditions, see storing gloves. For glove types, see types of gloves.
FAQ
What is a glove box holder?
A frame, commonly clear acrylic, that holds one or more boxes of disposable gloves within reach, either on a wall or a work surface.
Can a glove box holder be wall mounted?
Yes. The Heathrow Scientific single, two-box and three-box models are listed as wall-mountable with screws included.
How high should a glove box holder be mounted?
No standard sets a height for the holder itself. Where it must be reachable by all users, the 2010 ADA Standards reach range is 15 inches minimum to 48 inches maximum above the floor.
Sources
- Heathrow Scientific glovebox holders, Weber Scientific, checked 2026-10-30.
- U.S. Access Board, 2010 ADA Standards, sections 308 and 309, checked 2026-10-30.
