Portwest Welders Gauntlet, Red

Standards and labels

• EN 407:2020

  EN 407:2020 is a European standard that specifies the safety requirements for protective gloves for thermal risks. It sets rules for the design, construction, and testing of gloves that protect users from heat and fire. Testing includes measurements of contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, small splashes of molten metal, and flame resistance. The standard also includes requirements for labeling and instructions for use. This standard is an updated version of EN 407:2004, it includes new requirements, testing methods and performance levels to ensure that the gloves provide better protection against thermal risks such as heat, fire and molten metal splash.

  Test results

  Heat Convection Level 2

  The standard EN 407:2020 specifies the performance requirements for gloves designed to protect against thermal risks, including heat convection. A Level 2 result in heat convection means that the gloves provide moderate protection against convective heat. The testing for heat convection (convective heat transfer) involves exposing the glove material to a specific heat source under controlled conditions and measuring the time it takes for the temperature on the inside of the glove to increase by a certain amount (usually 24°C). This test is crucial as it simulates a real-world situation where the gloves may be exposed to heat from hot gases or liquids, which is critical for professions where such exposure is common. Therefore, a Level 2 convection performance indicates that the gloves would be suitable for jobs involving moderate exposure to convective types of heat, but might not offer sufficient protection for high-heat environments.

  Metal Splash Resistance Level 4

  EN 407:2020 is a European standard focused on assessing the protective capabilities of gloves against thermal risks, including hazards such as molten metal splashes. Metal Splash Resistance Level 4 represents an advanced level of protection, where the gloves are designed to handle substantial exposure to molten metal. This performance level signifies that the gloves can effectively resist at least 35 droplets of molten metal, protecting the wearer without the metal penetrating the glove material significantly. The testing involves simulating conditions where molten metal is splashed onto the glove, assessing the glove's ability to prevent molten metal from sticking and causing burns. Gloves that achieve Level 4 are ideal for heavy industrial applications such as steel mills, foundries, and welding, where frequent and substantial contact with molten metal occurs. This level of protection is crucial for maintaining safety and preventing serious injuries in environments with high thermal risks.

  Molten Metal Resistance Level 2

  EN 407:2020 is a European standard dedicated to defining performance requirements for protective gloves that guard against thermal risks, such as exposure to molten metal. Molten Metal Resistance Level 2 indicates a moderate level of protection, meaning that the gloves have been tested to handle an increased quantity of molten metal compared to Level 1. Specifically, this test result means the gloves can withstand at least 60 grams of molten iron without the metal penetrating the material significantly. The test method involves pouring molten iron onto the glove and observing whether the material holds up without allowing the molten metal to reach the skin. Gloves that meet Level 2 are well-suited for occupations involving regular exposure to molten metals, such as in moderate foundry work, casting, and other metalworking tasks where there is a higher risk of molten metal splashes. This level of protection ensures that workers are shielded from more substantial amounts of molten metal, enhancing safety in environments with moderate thermal hazards.

  Radiant Heat Level 1

  EN 407:2020 is a European standard that specifies performance requirements for protective gloves designed to protect against various thermal risks, including radiant heat. Radiant Heat Level 1 indicates the lowest level of protection under this standard, meaning that the gloves provide basic resistance against radiant heat. Specifically, this level signifies that the gloves can delay the transfer of heat from a radiant heat source to the skin for a minimum of 7 seconds. The test method involves exposing the glove material to a radiant heat source and measuring the time it takes for the temperature on the inside of the glove to increase by a specified amount. Gloves meeting Level 1 are suitable for environments where exposure to radiant heat is minimal and not intense, such as some general maintenance tasks near sources of mild radiant heat. This basic level of protection helps to reduce the risk of burns during brief or low-intensity exposure to radiant heat.

  Heat Contact Level 1

  EN 407:2020 sets the standard for evaluating the performance of protective gloves against thermal risks. A result of Level 1 for Heat Contact indicates minimal protection, where the glove material can delay the transfer of heat from a surface at 100°C for at least 15 seconds. This test result is established through method EN ISO 12127-1, where a glove sample is exposed to a hot surface at a specified temperature and the time is measured until the glove's interior temperature rises by a certain degree. For procurement professionals, a Level 1 rating suggests suitability for environments with low heat risks, providing brief contact protection that can be crucial for tasks involving occasional, quick contact with warm objects without continuous exposure to high heat.

• EN 12477

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• EN ISO 21420:2020

  EN ISO 21420:2020 is a European standard that sets out the general requirements for hand protection, including comfort, fit, and dexterity.

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• EN 388:2016

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard for measuring the performance of protective gloves against mechanical risks (abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture). The standard includes test methods and performance requirements for gloves to be considered compliant. Test results are reported using a series of four numbers, each representing the performance level achieved in one of the tests.

  Test results

  Abrasion Resistance Level 3

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard that provides guidelines for assessing the protection levels of gloves against mechanical risks, such as abrasion, cuts, tears, and puncture. The Abrasion Resistance Level 3 indicates a higher level of protection, signifying that the gloves can resist more intensive wear from rough materials. According to the standard, the abrasion resistance test involves rubbing the glove material against sandpaper under a specified pressure until it is worn through. Level 3 abrasion resistance requires that the gloves withstand 2000 to 7999 cycles of abrasion. This enhanced level of durability is appropriate for tasks involving more frequent or more intense contact with abrasive surfaces, such as construction work, woodworking, and handling building materials. Gloves with Level 3 abrasion resistance offer a robust barrier against wear, extending glove life and providing increased protection for the wearer’s hands, thus reducing the risk of injuries in more demanding work environments.

  Tear Resistance Level 4

  EN 388:2016 is a European standard that establishes criteria for assessing the protection provided by gloves against mechanical hazards, including tear resistance. The Tear Resistance Level 4 classification represents the highest level of tear resistance defined by this standard, indicating that the gloves can withstand the most substantial forces before tearing. According to the testing methodology, gloves are evaluated by measuring the force required to tear a sample of the glove material, with Level 4 requiring a force of over 75 Newtons to initiate and propagate a tear. This high level of tear resistance is ideal for use in environments where gloves are subjected to significant stress and potential damage, such as in heavy industry, construction, and handling of materials with sharp edges. Gloves achieving this level offer superior durability and are essential for ensuring user safety in high-risk mechanical settings, thereby enhancing work efficiency and reducing the frequency of glove replacement.

  Puncture Resistance Level 3

  The European Norm (EN) 388:2016 standard includes guidelines for assessing the puncture resistance of gloves, where a Puncture Resistance result of Level 3 signifies that the glove material can withstand a force of between 100 to 149 Newtons before being punctured. This result is crucial for ensuring that gloves provide an adequate level of protection against punctures when used in moderate risk environments, offering users safety from potentially harmful sharp objects. The test procedure for determining this metric involves measuring the amount of force required to puncture the glove using a standard-sized stylus. The stylus is pressed against the glove material at a constant speed until a puncture occurs. The weight needed to achieve the puncture is then recorded as the glove's puncture resistance level. For procurement professionals, this result implies that gloves rated at this level are suitable for tasks where there is a significant risk of encountering puncturing hazards, such as handling building materials, waste management, or assembly line work involving mid-level sharp objects.

  Cut Resistance, ISO 13997 Level X

  The standard EN 388:2016, specifically its segment referring to ISO 13997 test, is designed to assess the cut resistance of materials used in protective gloves. A result denoted as 'Level X' means that test is not performed and the cut resistance of the product cannot be guaranteed.

  Cut Resistance, Coup Test Level 2

  EN 388:2016 standard features a Coup Test used to measure Cut Resistance, and a result of Level 2 indicates moderate protection against cuts. This level signifies that the material being tested withstood between 2.5 to 5.0 cutting cycles before the blade penetrated the glove during testing. The Coup Test involves a rotating circular blade with a constant force applied, moving back and forth across the material until a cut through occurs. The sharpness of the blade and the distance of blade travel are measured before the test, and after cutting through the material, to ensure accuracy. Practical implications of a Level 2 result suggest the gloves are suitable for tasks with some cut hazards but are not suggested for high-risk cut environments, such as handling heavy or very sharp materials where a higher level of protection might be necessary. This result helps businesses choose gloves tailored for different workplace needs regarding cut risks.

• CE Marking

  CE Marking is a label that shows a product meets certain safety and environmental standards set by the European Union. To get the CE Marking, a company must test and certify their product meets these standards. CE Marking is required for many products sold in the EU, including electronics, machinery, toys and medical devices. It helps ensure that products are safe for consumers and the environment, and allows for easy trade within the EU.