2024/11/9
In the international trade of gloves, understanding and following relevant standards are of utmost importance, especially for anti - cut gloves. The following details the multiple standards involved in anti - cut gloves:
Gloves in this category are used to protect users from minor injuries that may occur during activities like washing and dishwashing. They also provide protection against hot objects with temperatures below +50°C. Additionally, they are suitable for light gardening and other jobs with a low risk of minor injuries.
These gloves are designed to protect users from injuries that are neither minimal nor extremely high. The gloves must be marked with a pictogram showing their protection properties and are tested according to the EN388 standard (mechanical protection) at an accredited testing institution. All Category 2 gloves must be validated and type - certified by a Notified Body to prove the effectiveness of the protection.
This category of gloves protects against risks that can cause very serious consequences such as death or irreversible damage to health. The gloves must be marked with pictograms indicating their protection properties and must be tested at an accredited testing institution. They also need to be validated and certified for both type and production control by a Notified Body to demonstrate the protection’s validity. Chemical protection gloves all fall into Category 3, and heat protection gloves can also be classified in this category.
This standard supersedes EN420:2003 + A1:2009. Its scope includes not only protective gloves and arm protectors but also gloves permanently incorporated in containment enclosures, mittens, and pot holders. All protective gloves in all categories of personal protective equipment (PPE) must meet the requirements of this standard.
1. Glove Design: Ensure that the design is reasonable and meets the functional requirements.
2. Chemical Innocuousness
· Chromium (VI) (applicable to all leathers): should be less than 3mg/kg.
· Nickel release (applicable to metallic components in prolonged contact with the skin): less than 0.5µg/cm²/week.
· PH value (applicable to all materials): The pH value is required to be greater than 3.5 and less than 9.5. Each material must be tested separately.
· Azo colorants (applicable to all dyed leathers and textiles): Each carcinogenic aromatic amine listed in the analysis method should be less than 30mg/kg.
· Dimethylformamide (DMFa) (applicable to all materials containing polyurethane (PU)): less than 1,000mg/kg (1% w/w).
· Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (applicable to rubbers and plastics in direct contact with the skin): Each of the eight restricted PAHs should be less than 1mg/kg.
3. Sizing and Dexterity: Sizes are defined based on the hand sizes that the gloves are intended to fit. The standard covers sizes from 4 to 13. The criteria for determining sizing compliance include hand circumference and hand length.
4. Information Supplied by the Manufacturer: It should be comprehensive and accurate.
This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire). There are two pictograms (flame - resistant and non - flame - resistant), and these two cannot be used simultaneously. The numbers beside or below the pictogram represent the performance of the gloves in each test in the standard. A higher number indicates better performance, and X indicates that the protection level is not claimed.
1. Limited Flame Spread
· Level 1: After - flame time ≤ 15s, no requirement for after - glow time.
· Level 2: After - flame time ≤ 10s, after - glow time ≤ 120s.
· Level 3: After - flame time ≤ 3s, after - glow time ≤ 25s.
· Level 4: After - flame time ≤ 2s, after - glow time ≤ 5s.
· Test Method: Hold the entire glove sample vertically above the test burner with the flame in contact with the end of the middle finger of the glove, and measure the after - flame and after - glow time. The innermost surface of the test sample must not show any signs of melting, complete perforation of the sample, or separation at the seams. For high - thermal - resistant gloves (Levels 3 or 4), all outer materials other than the finger area must also be tested.
·Performance Levels: 1- 4
2. Contact Heat
· Level 1: Contact temperature 100°C, threshold time ≥ 15s.
· Level 2: Contact temperature 250°C, threshold time ≥ 15s.
· Level 3: Contact temperature 350°C, threshold time ≥ 15s.
· Level 4: Contact temperature 500°C, threshold time ≥ 15s.
· Test Method: Expose the glove to temperatures ranging from +100°C to +500°C, and measure the time it takes for the inside temperature of the glove to increase by 10°C from the initial temperature (approximately 25°C). If no other information is provided, the palm is tested.
· Performance Levels: 1- 4
3. Convective Heat
· Level 1: Heat transfer index (HTI) ≥ 4s.
· Level 2: Heat transfer index (HTI) ≥ 7s.
· Level 3: Heat transfer index (HTI) ≥ 10s.
· Level 4: Heat transfer index (HTI) ≥ 18s.
· Test Method: Expose the sample to a heat source and measure the time it takes for the internal temperature of the glove to increase by 24°C.
· Performance Levels: 1- 4
4. Radiant Heat
· Level 1: Heat transfer (T24) ≥ 7s.
· Level 2: Heat transfer (T24) ≥ 20s.
· Level 3: Heat transfer (T24) ≥ 50s.
· Level 4: Heat transfer (T24) ≥ 95s.
· Test Method: Measure the average time of heat permeation at 2.5kW/m².
· Performance Levels: 1- 4
5. Small Splashes of Molten Metal
· Level 1: ≥ 10 droplets.
· Level 2: ≥ 15 droplets.
· Level 3: ≥ 25 droplets.
· Level 4: ≥ 35 droplets.
· Test Method: Evaluate the degree of protection provided by the glove to the user’s hand from being struck by molten metal droplets, such as during metal grinding. If the test results are good, the molten metal droplets will not adhere to the surface of the test sample but will run off, reducing the contact time and preventing the glove temperature from rising. If the palm, back of the hand, and cuff have different materials or structures, they all need to be tested. The results are based on the number of 0.5g molten metal droplets that cause a 40°C temperature increase between the glove material and the skin.
· Performance Levels: 1- 4
6. Large Quantities of Molten Metal
· Level 1: 30g.
· Level 2: 60g.
· Level 3: 120g.
· Level 4: 200g.
· Test Method: Attach a PVC film to the back of the glove material and pour molten iron onto the material. Folds in the material or seams on the outside of the glove can trap the molten iron, so the glove design should prevent the iron from being retained. If the glove material catches fire during the test, it does not meet the standard requirements. Measure the grams of molten iron required to damage the PVC film.
· Performance Levels: 1- 4
According to this standard, characteristics such as abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tearing strength, puncture resistance, and impact protection are tested. Combined with the pictogram, four numbers and one or two letters are displayed, indicating the performance of the gloves.
1. Abrasion Resistance: The material is abraded by sandpaper under a certain pressure. The protection level is indicated on a scale of 1 - 4 based on the number of turns required until a hole appears in the material. A higher number indicates better abrasion resistance.
2. Cut Resistance (Coup Test): Test the cut protection by passing a knife over the glove material until it cuts through. The protection level is indicated by a number between 1 and 5, with 5 representing the highest cut protection. If the material dulls the knife during this test, the ISO 13997 (TDM test) should be performed instead, see point 5.
3. Tearing Strength: Measure the force required to tear the glove material apart. The protection level is indicated by a number between 1 and 4, with 4 indicating the strongest material.
4. Puncture Resistance: Based on the amount of force required to puncture the material with a tip. The protection function is indicated by a number between 1 and 4, with 4 indicating the strongest material.
5. Cut Resistance (TDM Test ISO 13997): If the knife dulls during the Coup test (see point 2), this test should be performed. The result is indicated by a letter from A to F, with F representing the highest level of protection. If any of these letters is given, this method determines the protection level instead of the Coup test.
6. Impact Protection: If the glove has impact protection, the information is indicated by the letter P as the sixth and last sign. If there is no P sign, no impact protection is claimed.
This is the old version of the standard. The differences compared to the 2016 version include the paper grid in the abrasion test and the method of testing cut - resistant fibers. It is also not applicable to impact protection testing. There are still many protective gloves on the market labeled according to this old version of the standard, and they are as good to use as the newly marked gloves. It should be noted that it is not the performance of the gloves that has changed, but the way of testing the performance.
In cold environments, protecting hands from cold burns is crucial. This standard measures the ability of gloves to resist convective cold and contact cold. In addition, water permeability is tested after 30 minutes. The first figure indicates the glove’s ability to protect against convective cold (performance level 0 - 4), the second figure indicates the ability to protect against contact cold (performance level 0 - 4), and the third figure indicates the glove’s protection against water penetration (performance 0 or 1, where 0 means “water penetration after 30 minutes” and 1 means “no water penetration after 30 minutes”).
Chemicals can cause serious harm to both personal health and the environment. Mixing two chemicals with known properties may produce unexpected effects. This standard specifies how to test the degradation and permeation of 18 chemicals, but it does not reflect the actual duration of protection in the workplace and the differences between mixtures and pure chemicals. It also stipulates the requirements for gloves to protect against dangerous chemicals and micro - organisms.
1. Penetration: Chemicals can penetrate through holes and other defects in the glove material. To ensure that a glove is approved as a chemical - protection glove, it should not leak water or air when tested according to EN 374 - 2:2014.
2. Degradation: The glove material may be negatively affected by chemical contact. Degradation should be determined according to EN 374 - 4:2013 for each chemical. The degradation results (percentage) should be reported in the user instructions.
3. Permeation: Chemicals penetrate the glove material at a molecular level. The breakthrough time is evaluated, and the glove must withstand:
· Type A: A breakthrough time of 30 minutes (Level 2) against at least 6 test chemicals.
· Type B: A breakthrough time of 30 minutes (Level 2) against at least 3 test chemicals.
· Type C: A breakthrough time of 10 minutes (Level 1) against at least 1 test chemical.
4. Micro - organisms: All gloves must be tested for micro - organisms. According to EN 374 - 5:2016, the gloves are tested for their ability to protect against bacteria, fungi, and, if required, viruses.
This standard is used to measure the vibration transmissibility from a vibrating handle through the glove to the palm. The test is performed in one - third - octave frequency bands with center frequencies ranging from 25Hz to 1250Hz. To be called anti - vibration gloves, the following criteria must be met:
1. The TRM value (total vibration transmissibility between 25Hz - 200Hz) should not be less than or equal to ≤0.9.
2. The TRH value (total vibration transmissibility between 200Hz - 1.25kHz) should not be less than or equal to ≤0.6.
3. The thickness of the damping material in the palm should not exceed 8mm, and it must cover the entire palm, the thumb, and the fingers. These requirements indicate that the vibration does not increase in the medium - frequency range (TRM) and is reduced by at least 40% in the high - frequency range (TRH). However, it should be noted that these gloves can reduce the health risks associated with vibration exposure (such as white finger disease), but they do not eliminate the risks. The gloves only reduce vibrations at frequencies above 150Hz, and the vibration - damping properties may be affected by aging, moisture absorption, temperature, and high contact pressure.
This standard describes how gloves should be designed to protect hands and wrists during welding and similar working situations. Welding gloves should be tested according to EN 388:2016. They must also provide protection against molten metal splashes, short - term exposure to open flames, radiant heat, contact heat, and mechanical protection according to EN 407:2004. Gloves are also evaluated based on their design and purpose:
1. Type A: Gloves with higher heat protection but lower flexibility and dexterity.
2. Type B: Gloves with lower heat protection but higher flexibility and dexterity. This standard has no pictogram.
To protect electronic devices from electrostatic discharge, it is important to use gloves and other equipment suitable for the environment. Test and measure the vertical resistance of the material between the hand and the electrode. The resistance should be as low as possible so that electrical charges pass through the material instead of accumulating and suddenly discharging, which could damage nearby sensitive electronic equipment. The resistance of the material should be lower than 10⁹Ω to be approved. For full protection of electronic devices, ESD - labeled gloves should be used with other ESD equipment such as clothing, shoes, and bracelets.
In an ATEX zone (an environment with an explosive atmosphere), a spark caused by the discharge of static electricity from an object can cause an explosion. Therefore, the design of work gloves should avoid the accumulation of static electricity. This standard relates to the requirements for gloves in ATEX zones. It provides additional requirements for protective gloves worn in flammable or explosive areas. The vertical resistance (resistance through the material) of the glove is tested and measured through the test standard EN 1149 - 2, and each measurement should be lower than 1.0×10⁸Ω. It should be noted that electrostatic - dissipative protective gloves are only effective when the wearer is earthed through a resistance lower than 10⁸Ω. Therefore, the wearer must wear appropriate clothing and shoes to be permanently earthed and avoid electrostatic discharge during movement.
This standard is applicable to protective clothing but is also used to test the electrostatic properties of protective gloves. Gloves that have been tested and meet the requirements of this standard have electrostatic - dissipative properties. Electrostatic properties can be tested in different ways:
1. EN 1149 - 1 defines the test for measuring surface resistivity (Ω).
2. EN 1149 - 2 defines the test for measuring vertical resistance (Ω). This method is used for the vertical resistance test in the glove standard EN 16350.
3. EN 1149 - 3 defines the test for measuring the charge decay time (s).
4. EN 1149 - 5 defines the criteria for claiming electrostatic - dissipativity (anti - static). When using protective gloves with electrostatic properties
