Hand Protectors
General Protection Requirements for Suitable Gloves
- Gloves must have been produced for the purpose of protection.
- The joints and seams of the gloves should not cause discomfort to the user.
- Wearing and removing gloves should be simple and easy.
- The raw material of the glove should cause no harm or discomfort to the user.
- The pH of leather gloves should be between 3.5 and 9.5.
- The chromium content should be less than 3mg/kg.
- If the raw material of the glove causes any allergic reaction, the manufacturer should clearly indicate this and provide a warning.
- The glove should not lose its protective characteristics after being cleaned.
- Standard gloves sizes range from 6 to 11.
| Glove Size | Hand Circumference (mm) | Hand Length (mm) | Min. Glove Length (mm) |
| 6 | 152 | 160 | 220 |
| 7 | 178 | 171 | 230 |
| 8 | 203 | 182 | 240 |
| 9 | 229 | 192 | 250 |
| 10 | 254 | 204 | 260 |
| 11 | 279 | 215 | 270 |
Gloves Protecting Against Mechanical Risks
| Performance Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Wear (rotation) | <100 | >100 | >500 | >2000 | >8000 | – | |
| Cut (index) | <1,2 | >1,2 | >2,5 | >5,0 | >10,0 | >20,0 | |
| Tear (newton) | <10 | >10 | >25 | >50 | >75 | – | |
| Puncture (newton) | <20 | >20 | >60 | >100 | >150 | – |
Wear Resistance: The number of rotations at constant speed required for the sample to erode and wear out (from 0 to 4).
Cut Resistance: The calculation of the content cutting the sample at constant speed using number of rotations (from 0 to 5).
Tear Resistance: Force required to tear the sample (from 0 to 4).
Puncture Resistance: Force required to puncture the sample with a standard steel drill (from 0 to 4).
Gloves Protecting Against Chemical and/or Microorganism Risks
| Impermeability Values | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| AQL | <4,0 | <1,5 | <0,65 |
Impermeability: For thin, single use gloves this value is obtained by filling the glove with water or air. If leakage occurs in the glove within 30 seconds, the glove is deficient. Results are expressed as the number of deficient gloves out of every 100 gloves. AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is measured from the defective glove amount.
| Permeability Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Measured Time (minute) | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Permeability: This is the time it takes for the chemical to go through the glove. The chemicals that have been tested on the glove are indicated on the pictogram with a letter.
| Code | Chemical | CAS Number |
| A | Methanol | 67-56-1 |
| B | Acetone | 67-64-1 |
| C | Acetonitrile | 75-05-8 |
| D | Dichloromethane | 75-09-2 |
| E | Carbon disulfide | 75-15-0 |
| F | Toluene | 108-88-3 |
| G | Diethylamine | 109-89-7 |
| H | Tetrahydrofuran | 109-99-9 |
| I | Ethyl acetate | 141-78-6 |
| J | n-Heptane | 142-85-5 |
| K | Sodium Hydroxide 40% | 1310-73-2 |
| L | Sulfuric acid 96% | 7664-93-9 |
Gloves Protecting Against Thermal Risks
Protection Against Heat
| Performance Values | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| a. Condition related heat and/or burning | Time after blazing | ≤20s | ≤10s | ≤3s | ≤2s | |
| Time after flashing | – | ≤120s | ≤25s | ≤5s | ||
| b. Contact with heat resistance | Contact resistance | 100° | 250° | 350° | 500° | |
| Threshold time | ≤15s | ≤15s | ≤15s | ≤15s | ||
| c. Convective heat (heat transfer delay) | ≤4s | ≤7s | ≤10s | ≤18s | ||
| d. Radiant heat (heat transfer delay) | ≤5s | ≤30s | ≤90s | ≤150s | ||
| e. Small molten metals (droplet) | ≥5 | ≥15 | ≥25 | ≥35 | ||
| f. Large molten metals (mass) | 30g | 60g | 120g | 200g | ||
- Condition related heat and/or burning: This is measured as the time it takes for the glove exposed to a gas flame for 15 seconds to burn and for its glowing state to end.
- Contact with heat resistance: The glove’s protection is measured for 15 seconds at contact with a temperature between 100° to 500°, without the temperature felt inside the glove increasing by 10°.
- Convective heat (heat transfer retardation): The level of protection is measured by how long it retards heat from the naked flame until the temperature inside the glove increases by 24°.
- Radiant heat (heat transfer retardation): The time elapsed is measured until a certain amount of heat penetration is measured
- Small molten metals (droplet): This is the measure of how many molten metal drops need to be poured until the temperature in the glove rises 40°.
- Large molten metals (mass): This is measured by how much molten metal is until it damages the glove.
Protection Against Cold
| Performance Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| a. Convective cold, Thermal isolation ITRm2.C/W | ITR<0.10 | 0.10≤ITR<0.15 | 0.15≤ITR<0.22 | 0.22≤ITR<030 | 0.3≤ITR | |
| b. Thermal cold, Thermal resistance Rm2.C/W | R<0.025 | 0.025≤R<0.05 | 0.05≤R<0.1 | 0.1≤R<0.15 | 015≤R | |
| c. Waterproof test | Negative | Positive | – | – | – |
Gloves Protecting Against Electrical Hazards
| Class | Maximum Operating Voltage | Test Voltage | Endurance Voltage | |
| 00 | 500 V AC | 2500 V AC | 5000 V AC | |
| 0 | 1000 V AC | 5000 V AC | 10000 V AC | |
| 1 | 7500 V AC | 10000 V AC | 20000 V AC | |
| 2 | 17000 V AC | 20000 V AC | 30000 V AC | |
| 3 | 26500 V AC | 30000 V AC | 40000 V AC | |
| 4 | 36000 V AC | 40000 V AC | 50000 V AC |
Maximum Operating Voltage: Nominal voltage of mains power.
Test Voltage: This is the voltage that is applied to the glove during tests.
Endurance Voltage: This is the voltage test administered to the glove after it is subjected to the 3-minute wet test then allowed to dry for 16 hours.
EN Standards for Hand Protection
EN 388: EN standard for gloves protecting against mechanical risks.
EN 374: EN standard for gloves protecting against chemical and/or microorganism risks.
EN 407: EN standard for gloves protecting against heat.
EN 511: EN standard for gloves protecting against cold.
EN 60903: EN standard for gloves protecting against electrical hazards.
EN ISO 10819: EN standard for gloves protecting against vibration.
EN 455: EN standard for single use medical gloves.
General Protective Protection Requirements for Suitable Glove
- Gloves must have been produced for the purpose of protection.
- The joints and seams of the gloves should not cause discomfort to the user.
- Wearing and removing gloves should be simple and easy.
- The raw material of the glove should cause no harm or discomfort to the user.
- The pH of leather gloves should be between 3.5 and 9.5.
- The chromium content should be less than 3mg/kg.
- If the raw material of the glove causes any allergic reaction, the manufacturer should clearly indicate this and provide a warning.
- The glove should not lose its protective characteristic after being cleaned.
- Standard gloves sizes range from 6 to 11.
| Glove Size | Hand Circumference (mm) | Hand Length (mm) | Min. Glove Length (mm) |
| 6 | 152 | 160 | 220 |
| 7 | 178 | 171 | 230 |
| 8 | 203 | 182 | 240 |
| 9 | 229 | 192 | 250 |
| 10 | 254 | 204 | 260 |
| 11 | 279 | 215 | 270 |
Gloves Protecting Against Mechanical Risks
| Performance Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Wear (rotation) | <100 | >100 | >500 | >2000 | >8000 | – | |
| Cut (index) | <1,2 | >1,2 | >2,5 | >5,0 | >10,0 | >20,0 | |
| Tear (newton) | <10 | >10 | >25 | >50 | >75 | – | |
| Puncture (newton) | <20 | >20 | >60 | >100 | >150 | – |
Wear Resistance: The number of rotations at constant speed required for the sample to erode and wear out (from 0 to 4).
Cut Resistance: The calculation of the content cutting the sample at constant speed using number of rotations (from 0 to 5).
Tear Resistance: Force required to tear the sample (from 0 to 4).
Puncture Resistance: Force required to puncture the sample with a standard steel drill (from 0 to 4).
Gloves Protection against Chemical and/or Microorganism Risks
| Impermeability Values | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| AQL | <4,0 | <1,5 | <0,65 |
Impermeability: For thin, single use gloves this value is obtained by filling the glove with water or air. If leakage occurs in the glove within 30 seconds, the glove is deficient. Results are expressed as the number of deficient gloves out of every 100 gloves. AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is measured from the defective glove amount.
| Permeability Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Time Measured (minute) | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Permeability: This is the time it takes for the chemical to go through the glove. The chemicals that have been tested on the glove are indicated on the pictogram with a letter.
| Code | Chemical | CAS Number |
| A | Methanol | 67-56-1 |
| B | Acetone | 67-64-1 |
| C | Acetonitrile | 75-05-8 |
| D | Dichloromethane | 75-09-2 |
| E | Carbon disulfide | 75-15-0 |
| F | Toluene | 108-88-3 |
| G | Diethylamine | 109-89-7 |
| H | Tetrahydrofuran | 109-99-9 |
| I | ethyl acetate | 141-78-6 |
| J | n-Heptane | 142-85-5 |
| K | Sodium Hydroxide 40% | 1310-73-2 |
| L | Sulfuric acid 96% | 7664-93-9 |
Gloves Protecting Against Thermal Risks
Protection Against Heat
| Performance Values | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| a. Situation concerning heat and/or burning | Time after blazing | ≤20s | ≤10s | ≤3s | ≤2s | |
| Time after flashing | – | ≤120s | ≤25s | ≤5s | ||
| b. Contact with heat resistance | Contact resistance | 100° | 250° | 350° | 500° | |
| Threshold time | ≤15s | ≤15s | ≤15s | ≤15s | ||
| c. Convective heat (heat transfer delay) | ≤4s | ≤7s | ≤10s | ≤18s | ||
| d. Radiant heat (heat transfer delay) | ≤5s | ≤30s | ≤90s | ≤150s | ||
| e. Small molten metals (droplet) | ≥5 | ≥15 | ≥25 | ≥35 | ||
| f. Large molten metals (mass) | 30g | 60g | 120g | 200g | ||
- Condition related heat and/or burning: This is measured as the time it takes for the glove exposed to a gas flame for 15 seconds to burn and for its glowing state to end.
- Contact with heat resistance: The glove’s protection is measured for 15 seconds at contact with a temperature between 100° to 500°, without the temperature felt inside the glove increasing by 10°.
- Convective heat (heat transfer retardation): The level of protection is measured by how long it retards heat from the naked flame until the temperature inside the glove increases by 24°.
- Radiant heat (heat transfer retardation): The time elapsed is measured until a certain amount of heat penetration is measured
- Small molten metals (droplet): This is the measure of how many molten metal drops need to be poured until the temperature in the glove rises 40°.
- Large molten metals (mass): This is measured by how much molten metal is until it damages the glove.
Protection Against Cold
| Performance Values | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| a. Convective cold, Thermal isolation ITRm2.C/W | ITR<0.10 | 0.10≤ITR<0.15 | 0.15≤ITR<0.22 | 0.22≤ITR<030 | 0.3≤ITR | |
| b. Thermal cold, Thermal resistance Rm2.C/W | R<0.025 | 0.025≤R<0.05 | 0.05≤R<0.1 | 0.1≤R<0.15 | 015≤R | |
| c. Waterproof test | Negative | Positive | – | – | – |
Gloves Protecting Against Electrical Hazards
| Class | Maximum Operation Voltage | Test Voltage | Endurance Voltage | |
| 00 | 500 V AC | 2500 V AC | 5000 V AC | |
| 0 | 1000 V AC | 5000 V AC | 10000 V AC | |
| 1 | 7500 V AC | 10000 V AC | 20000 V AC | |
| 2 | 17000 V AC | 20000 V AC | 30000 V AC | |
| 3 | 26500 V AC | 30000 V AC | 40000 V AC | |
| 4 | 36000 V AC | 40000 VAC | 50000 V AC |
Maximum Operating Voltage: Nominal voltage of mains power.
Test Voltage: This is the voltage that is applied to the glove during tests.
Endurance Voltage: This is the voltage test administered to the glove after it is subjected to the 3-minute wet test then allowed to dry for 16 hours.
EN Standards for Hand Protection
EN 388: EN standard for protective gloves against mechanical risks.
EN 374: EN standard for protective gloves against chemical and/or microorganism risks.
EN 407: EN standard for protective gloves against heat.
EN 511: EN standard for protective gloves against cold.
EN 60903: EN standard for protective gloves against electrical hazards.
EN ISO 10819: EN standard for protective gloves against vibration.
EN 455: EN standard for single-use medical gloves.