Oshakati Kortbroek

The European standard EN 420 regulates the standard requirements for protective gloves
as follows:
     • The gloves themselves should not impose a risk or cause injury.
     • The pH of the gloves should be as close as possible to neutral.
     • Leather gloves should have a pH value between 3.5 – 9.5.
     • The highest permitted value for chromium is 3 mg/kg (chrome VI).
     • Details of any substance used in the glove which is known to cause allergies should be specified.
     • The gloves should be sized by reference to an agreed common European hand size, for example minimum length.

EN 420: Size Selection

The European standard EN 388 regulates the minimum requirements, test methods and labeling of safety gloves against mechanical risks when carrying out work. Protection against mechanical risks is presented by a pictogram accompanied by five numbers (performance levels), each representing
test performance against a specific hazard.

The mechanical risks and/or their test methods are defined as follows:

EN 388: Protection Against Mechanical Risk

The European standard EN 407 regulates the minimum requirements, test methods and labeling for safety gloves in relation to thermal risks. Safety gloves certified in accordance with this standard protect the wearer from contact heat, radiant heat, and small splashes from molten metal.

However, it does not concern the specific application of heat-resistant gloves, such as firefighting or welding. Heat-resistant gloves are intended to fulfill the following properties in accordance with EN 407:

• Low flammability or flame spread
• Low heat transmission (protective effect from radiant, convective and contact heat)
• High temperature resistance

The nature and degree of protection is presented by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance levels, relating to specific protective qualities.

Safety gloves are classified and tested in EN 407 in accordance with the following criteria:

The mechanical risks and/or their test methods are defined as follows:

EN 407: Protection Against Thermal Risk

In accordance with the test in EN 407, the safety gloves are classified with a performance level in relation to each of the individual thermal hazards (numbers from 1 to 4, with 4 being the best). What is important is that the glove must not come into contact with open fire if it does not fulfill performance level 3 in the fire resistance test.

The European standard EN 511 regulates the minimum requirements, test methods and labelling for safety gloves in relation to protection from cold. Gloves certified under this standard protect the wearer from convective cold (penetrating cold) and contact cold (direct contact).

Determination of performance levels for safety gloves against cold:

• Convective Cold Resistance

Based on the thermal insulation properties of the glove which are obtained by measuring the transfer of cold via convection. (Calculation of the thermal insulation properties based on the temperature of the hand model, room temperature and energy required to maintain the temperature.)

• Contact Cold Resistance (Test in accordance with ISO 5085)

Based on the thermal resistance of the glove material when exposed to contact with a cold object. (Comparison with normative reference).

• Water Permeability (Test in accordance with EN ISO 15383)

If no water permeates into the glove over a 30-minute period, this test is deemed as passed. (0 = water penetration, 1 = no water penetration).

EN 511: Cold Protection