Choose the right gloves
Hands at work are extremely vulnerable to a wide range of hazards which include cuts, blows, chemical attack and temperature extremes. With industry’s increasingly complex and sensitive manufacturing and handling processes, there is a growing insistence on the use of "job fitted" gloves that meet each of the users’ specific requirements; hence our offering of a wider and more comprehensive range of gloves in this section – in excess of 200 different types and styles from which to choose.
MAINTENANCE
Contaminated and worn gloves may fail to protect the hands from the very hazard they were designed for. Effective protection is maintained by regular replacement of the gloves. Check the condition of the gloves, inside and out.
EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Implies that the gloves comply with the basic requirements laid down by the EEC directive: Personal Protection Equipment.
SIMPLE DESIGN (CATEGORY 1)
For areas of 'minimal risk' where the effects of not wearing a glove are easily reversible or superficial.
Such products are self-certified.
INTERMEDIATE DESIGN (CATEGORY 2)
For areas of specific risk i.e. mechanical risks.
Such products will have been EC type tested against European test methods and certified by a notified body.
COMPLEX DESIGN (CATEGORY 3)
For areas/applications that can seriously or irreversibly harm the health.
Such products, in addition to the CE type test, will also have to be either produced under an approved quality system OR be typed tested on an annual basis.
EN 388 - This standard applies to all kinds of protective gloves giving protection from mechanical risks, in respect of physical problems caused by abrasion, blade cut, puncture, tearing or impact cut. This standard also covers risk of electrostatic discharge.
EN 374 - This standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
EN 511 - This standard applies to gloves which protect the hands against convective and contact cold.
EN 407 - This standard specifies thermal performance for protective gloves against heat and/or fire.
EN 659 - This standard defines performance requirements for gloves designed to protect fire fighters against heat and flames.
EN 421 - This standard lays down test methods and performance criteria for gloves offering protection against ionising radiation and radioactive contamination.
EN 455 - Medical gloves for single use.
If a glove is to be used for food handling, it is required to carry either the words 'for food use' or this symbol.
| Thermal Hazards EN 407 | |
|---|---|
| Performance Level | |
| a) Burning behaviour | 0-4 |
| b) Contact heat | 0-4 |
| c) Convective heat | 0-4 |
| d) Radiant heat | 0-4 |
| e) Small splashes of molten metal | 0-4 |
| f) Large splashes of molten metal | 0-4 |
| Mechanical Hazards EN 388 | |
|---|---|
| Performance Level | |
| a) Abrasion resistance | 0-4 |
| b) Blade-cut resistance | 0-5 |
| c) Tear resistance | 0-4 |
| d) Puncture resistance | 0-4 |
| EN 511:Cold | |
| Performance Level | |
| a) Convective cold | 0-4 |
| b) Contact cold | 0-4 |
| c) Water proofness | 0-1 |
CONTACT HEAT
A sample is taken from the palm area of a glove. The outside of the glove is put on a hot surface and the temperature of the inside of the glove is then monitored. The temperature on the inside of the glove must take 15 seconds or more to rise by 10°C from room temperature.
| EN 407 | Contact Temperature | Threshold Time |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Level | T°C | Seconds |
| 1 | 100 | >15 |
| 2 | 250 | >15 |
| 3 | 350 | >15 |
| 4 | 500 | >15 |