EN 420 Protective Gloves – General Requirements

This standard ensures that gloves are comfortable to wear and safe to use, it covers four areas namely length, sizing & dexterity, pH value and Chrome VI levels (leather gloves only).

Length
The glove is measured from the tip of the middle finger to the edge of the cuff. These measurements are then compared to the required minimum lengths required for each glove size as outlined in EN 420.

Sizing & Dexterity
The gloves are worn on a hand of the specified size, the wearer then comments on general sizing and comfort. In order to test dexterity, the wearer performs a simple test in which they attempt to pick up metal pins of decreasing diameter – the smaller the pin, the greater the dexterity.

pH Value
All gloves are tested for their pH levels – too acid or too alkaline and the glove may cause skin irritation. The test requires the glove to possess a pH value greater than 3.5 and lower than 9.5. If a glove consists of more than one material, each material is tested independently.

Chrome IV
This test only applies to gloves which contain leather components. Samples are taken from at least two gloves, the chromium IV is ‘leached’ from the leather and oxidised to create a red/purple colour. This colouring indicates the levels of Chrome IV present, these levels must be below 3mg/kg for a glove to pass this test.

EN 388 Mechanical Hazards

This is the most common standard used in relation to workwear gloves, it covers the level of protection offered by the gloves against mechanical hazards. The testing is broken down into four areas: abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance.

Abrasion
Circular samples are cut from the palm of the glove, these samples are then inserted into the testing machine. An abrasive paper is then rubbed across the surface of the glove at a consistent rate with consistent pressure. There are four levels of performance relating to the number of abrasion cycles completed before a hole forms in the material, level 4 being the highest and level 1 being the lowest level of performance.

Cut
Samples are cut from the palm of the glove, these samples are then mounted in the testing machine. A circular blade is then pulled across the material at a consistent rate with consistent pressure. The cut level of the glove is determined by the number of times the test can be repeated before the material is cut through. There are five levels for this part of the test; level 5 being he highest and level 1 being the lowest.

Tear
A sample of glove material is taken from the glove and mounted in the testing machine. The amount of force required to tear the fabric determines the tear resistance of the glove, level four offers the highest protection, level 1 offers the lowest level of protection.

Puncture
Samples are cut from the palm of the glove, these samples are then mounted into the testing machine. The amount of force required to puncture the glove by a needle of a specified dimensions determines the level of puncture resistance achieved – level four being the highest level, level 1 being the lowest.

EN 374 Chemicals & Micro-Organisms

This standard outlines the level of protection offered by the gloves against both chemicals and micro-organisms. The standard includes both penetration and permeation tests designed to determine the suitability of the glove for use with a range of chemicals.

Resistance to Penetration
The performance of glove in relation to resistance to penetration is assessed through two tests. Firstly, the glove is inflated and then placed in a tank of water. Any holes in the material of the glove will present as small air bubbles. Secondly, the glove is filled with water – droplets of water will form on the outer surface of the glove if any holes are present in the material of the glove.

Resistance to Permeation
Samples of the glove material are placed in contact with a specific chemical. The length of time it takes for the chemical to permeate the glove is recorded and used to determine the permeation level. The glove must obtain satisfactory results for at least 3 chemicals (as outlined in the EN 374 guidelines) in order for it to be awarded an EN 374 level.

EN 407 Thermal Risks – Heat & Fire

The standard EN 407 refers to protection against thermal hazards and covers the burning behaviour, contact heat, radiant heat, convective heat, and molten metal splash resistance of a glove.

Burning Behaviour
The fingers of the glove are suspended in a gas flame, the behaviour of the glove is then observed. These observations (including seam performance, after-glow and whether or not the material melts) are used as a basis for the result of the test.

Contact Heat
The glove is placed in contact with a heat emitting source, the temperature increase on the inside of the glove is then measured to determine it’s resistance to contact heat.

Convective Heat
The glove is placed in contact with a naked gas flame, the temperature increase on the inside of the glove is then measured to determine it’s resistance to convective heat.

Radiant Heat
The glove is placed in close proximity to a radiant heat source, the temperature increase on the inside of the glove is then measured to determine it’s resistance to radiant heat.

Molten Metal Splash Resistance
Small beads of molten metal are dropped onto the glove, the temperature increase on the inside of the glove is then measured to determine it’s resistance to molten metal splashes.

EN 511 Cold Resistance

This standard has been designed to test gloves intended for use within cold environments. The testing process is intended to determine the ability of the glove to protect against both convective and contact cold. The glove must maintain protection against mechanical hazards as outlined in EN 388.

Convective Cold
The glove is placed into a temperature-controlled environment, sensors then measure the energy required to keep the temperature within the glove at a consistent temperature.

Contact Cold
The glove is placed in contact with an object of a specific temperature, the temperature decrease on the inside of the glove is used as an indication of contact cold resistant.

EN 11611 Welding & Allied Processes

This standard covers the requirements of items of protective clothing (hoods, aprons, sleeves & gaiters) intended for use within welding and allied processes. The standard is designed to test the ability of the garment to protect the wearer against molten metal splashes, contact with naked flames, radiant heat and to minimise the risk of electrical shocks from short-term contact with live electrical sources.

One of two classes can be awarded to at item – Class 1 offers sufficient protection against less hazardous welding activities which cause low levels of heat and metal splashes, Class 2 offers sufficient protection during more hazardous welding activities which cause higher levels of heat and metal splashes.

EN659 Heat and Fire For Firefighters

Linings must not melt, drip or ignite.

This standard tests the glove's capability to withstand the hazards related to fire fighting. The standard draws on the tests already carried out in EN388 and EN407 and sets minimum levels of performance in order to achieve the standard.

Risk Categories

The PPE regulations classify products and hazards into three Risk categories, Minimal (Category I), Intermediate (Category II) and High (Category III). Handling operations and products can be classed in any one of these categories. Below are some definitions for deciding how PPE should be classified.

Minimal Risk - Category I

• Mechanical Action whose effects are superficial (gardening gloves).
• Where the user can easily assess the level of protection provided by the product.
• Risk encountered in the handling of hot components not exceeding 50^oC.
• Minor impacts which do not cause irreversible lesions.
• Cleaning materials of weak action (diluted detergent solutions).

No third party test carried out. Product self certified by manufacturer.

Intermediate Risk - Category II

• This is where the majority of gloves will be classified unless they are specifically mentioned in the Minimal or High Risk categories.
• Most general handling gloves to be used in mechanical hazards where there is no risk of irreversible damage.

Third Party testing carried out by NAMAS approved test house.

High Risk - Category III

• Hazards that put the wearer in mortal danger or dangers that may seriously and irreversibly harm the health.
• Gloves for use in environments where there are temperatures in excess of 100^oC, infra red radiation, flames or molten metal splash (Foundries and welding etc).
• Chemical Resistant gloves.

Third Party testing carried out by NAMAS approved test house. Continuous third party quality assurance monitoring carried out by an NACCB approved body under an ISO9002 quality system.