While talking about safety workwear, hard hats and eye protection usually come to one’s mind. However, work gloves are also an important part of the protective equipment, because we do most of the work with our hands. This guide takes you through the standards which need to be observed and which protective gloves are suitable for which requirements.
Keep track of the standards
Basically, the basic standard DIN EN 420 specifies that work gloves as part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) must be developed and manufactured in such a way that they do not damage the wearer if they are used accordingly. In addition, there are a number of other standards that divide protective gloves into different categories.
As confusing as it may be, almost every hazard in the work environment has its own standard. It regulates the conditions to which manufacturers are bound so that their work gloves can be used accordingly. However, all standards have one thing in common: If they do not meet the requirements of DIN EN 420, they may not be used as part of the PPE.
In addition, a single standard has a clearly defined scope. A glove that meets DIN EN 374 can protect your hands against chemicals and microorganisms. However, as soon as it comes to mechanical stress – i.e. any movement – the glove must also meet the requirements of DIN EN 388. Therefore, when buying work gloves, make sure that they meet all the standards of your requirement profile. This is the only way you and your colleagues or employees are adequately protected.
Protection against mechanical risks
The European standard 388 specifies requirements, test methods, marking and manufacturer information for work gloves to protect against mechanical stress. Risks involved include abrasion, cut, tear strength and puncture. All protective gloves that meet this standard achieve performance level one in at least one of the risks tested. However, it should be noted that the higher the power level, the greater the protection. The respective level in each risk must always be indicated as a number in combination with the pictogram for this standard on the back of the gloves.
Since almost every job involves a certain degree of mechanical stress, DIN EN 388 is a standard that is often found in combination with other standards such as EN 374, EN 511 (protection against cold) or EN 407 (protection against heat).
Optimum protection against the cold
If you work primarily in freezing environments, you should make sure to buy work gloves that comply with DIN EN 511. It regulates the requirements for cold protection gloves as part of the PPE. Thanks to its double latex coating, the WGRIP 53756 is perfect for working in freezing temperatures. Thanks to the brushed acrylic inner lining, your hands feel warmer when it’s cold, so you have excellent tactile sensitivity despite the low temperatures.Work gloves according to EN 511 are perfect for use in the food industry, in the management of water resources or in waste management, among other things.
Work gloves to protect against thermal risks
Working in extreme heat or open flames, like working in extreme or prolonged cold, poses some risks to your hands. A moment of inattention and you may suffer serious burns on your skin. Gloves conforming to EN 407 protect against excessive heat from contact or radiation and small splashes of molten metal. Thanks to its nitrile coating and supported back of the hand, the GlovesGloves offers a secure grip even in oily environments. It is also suitable for contact with food. It is therefore suitable, for example, for use in civil engineering and road maintenance, but also for work in the kitchen.Cut-resistant work gloves
Similar to the European standards for PPE, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has also established standards for occupational safety. For example, ANSI has a nine-part standard for cut protection: It measures the force in grams with which a blade or sharp object must press against the glove until it can no longer withstand the pressure.
The combination of DIN EN 388 with the ANSI A Cut standard guarantees you increased safety when selecting your cut-resistant work gloves. The WGRIP 53446 has ANSI A4 Cut approval. It thus offers protection against moderately severe cuts at 1,500-2,199g. The full triple nitrile coating offers full permeability protection against industrial oils and other liquids – and the natural hand shape reduces muscle fatigue by 50 percent.Thanks to these specifications, the WGRIP 53446 can be used in the automotive and glass industries, among others.
No matter what industry you work in: work gloves are an essential part of personal protective equipment. In any case, before buying, make sure that the gloves you choose meet the requirements that are relevant to your work. You can now find a wide selection of protective gloves in the reichelt online shop.
Images: Wonder Grip
