Standards and labels

• EN 407:2004

  EN 407:2004 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 407:1994 and it's intended to protect the users against thermal risks, such as heat and flame, and to help them to choose a suitable glove for their specific application.

  Test results

  Radiant Heat Level X

  EN 407:2004 is a European standard that sets the requirements for protective gloves to defend against various thermal hazards, including radiant heat. The designation Radiant Heat Level X indicates that the gloves have not been tested for this specific type of protection, or they did not meet the minimum criteria established by the standard for resisting radiant heat. This means that these gloves are not certified for protection against radiant heat, which involves the transmission of heat through infrared rays from a heat source without direct contact. The lack of a specific radiant heat protection level suggests that users should not rely on these gloves for tasks where significant exposure to radiant heat is expected. Instead, these gloves might be suitable for other types of thermal risks for which they are certified, ensuring users select the appropriate type of protective glove based on the specific hazards present in their working environment. This classification assists in preventing inappropriate glove use and enhancing worker safety by clearly indicating the limitations of the glove's protective capabilities.

  Molten Metal Resistance Level X

  EN 407:2004 is a European standard that provides specifications for protective gloves to safeguard against thermal risks, including the exposure to molten metals. The designation Molten Metal Resistance Level X indicates that the gloves have not been tested for this specific risk, or they failed to meet the minimum requirements set out in the standard for protection against molten metal splashes. This means that the gloves are either unsuitable for use in environments where there is a risk of contact with molten metals, or additional testing is required to determine their suitability. Typically, such a classification implies that the gloves should not be used for handling molten metals and should only be considered for other types of thermal risks specified in the standard, where molten metal exposure is not a concern. This classification helps in ensuring that users select the right type of glove based on the specific hazards present in their working environment, thereby preventing inappropriate use and enhancing safety.

  Burning Behaviour Level X

  The EN 407:2004 standard addresses the burning behavior of gloves protecting from heat and/or fire. A performance level X in this context indicates that the glove has not been submitted for testing under the specified part of the standard or failed the test.

  Heat Contact Level 2

  The standard EN 407:2004 concerns Protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire) and includes a range of prescribed thermal tests, each designed to assess specific properties of safety gloves intended for various heat-related applications. The test result labeled Heat Contact Level 2 specifically evaluates the thermal insulation capacity of the glove material. A glove that achieves Level 2 has exhibited sufficient insulation to delay a temperature rise of 250°C for at least 15 seconds when its surface is in contact with a heated probe. This test involves placing the glove material against a hot probe of defined dimensions and temperature while monitoring temperature changes with a calorimeter embedded inside the glove to measure the rate at which the inner temperature rises. A Level 2 performance rating informs procurement professionals that the glove offers moderate protection against contact heat, suitable for environments or tasks where brief contact with moderately hot surfaces could occur, but where extensive or prolonged exposure does not exist. This ensures adequate protection for scenarios requiring such specific levels of thermal resistance without being over-specced for less demanding conditions.

  Metal Splash Resistance Level X

  The EN 407:2004 standard specifies different levels of protection for gloves against thermal risks, including metal splash resistance. A result marked as 'Level X' under this standard symbolizes that the glove material either did not meet the minimum requirements for testing or that no specific test was conducted for this hazard. The test for Metal Splash Resistance in EN 407:2004 involves exposing the glove material to molten metal splashes to determine how much molten metal is required to heat the glove material to a degree that it would cause pain or injury to the wearer. The practical implication of a 'Level X' rating is that gloves marked as such should not be relied upon for protection against risks of molten metal splashes, making them unsuitable for use in environments where exposure to this hazard is likely.

  Heat Convection Level X

  The EN 407:2004 European standard and its annexure for Heat Convection Level X is designed to gauge the protective capability of gloves when exposed to heat transmitted through a fluid medium, such as air or steam. The designation of Level X specifically indicates that the material did not meet the minimum requirements set forth in the test, or wasn't tested due to being deemed unsuitable for this type of exposure based on the nature of the material. The test method for determining this involves measuring the time it takes for the material to increase in temperature by 24°C under standardized conditions of convection heat exposure. This test is important for defining the efficacy of protective gear under various industrial conditions where heat convection is a risk.

• EN 420:2003+A1:2009

  EN 420:2003+A1:2009 is a European standard that sets out the general requirements for hand protection, including comfort, fit, and dexterity. Performance requirements include resistance to abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact. Test results should show the gloves meet these requirements.

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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

  Cut Resistance, ISO 13997 Level C

  The EN 388:2016 standard comprehensively addresses the cut resistance of gloves, using the ISO 13997 test method, where achieving Level C indicates that the glove can withstand forces between 10 to 14 newtons during cutting. This level of cut resistance provides an intermediate level of protection against cuts, suitable for handling tasks where there is a significant risk of cuts from sharp objects but where the highest level of cut resistance isn't necessary. The ISO 13997 test itself is a more detailed and clear manner to assess material cut resistance under a straight-edge blade under varying load, unlike the Coup Test used previously, which could blunt the blade. Essentially, Level C gloves are designed for robust hand protection in environments where cut hazards are considerable but not at the most extreme end of the scale, making them suitable for industries like construction and manufacturing where sharp tools and materials are frequently handled.

  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.

  Cut Resistance, Coup Test Level 4

  The standard EN 388:2016, which includes the Cut Resistance Coup Test, is designed to evaluate the protective qualities of gloves against mechanical risks, including cut resistance. A Level 4 result in this context indicates a high resistance to cutting under the specific test conditions described in EN 388:2016. This level indicates that the glove material can withstand at least 10 cycles before the blade used in the testing cuts through the sample material. The Coup Test involves a rotating circular blade which moves back and forth across the sample under a fixed load until penetration occurs. The number of cycles completed by the blade provides a measure of the glove material's cut-resistance. In practical terms for procurement professionals, gloves rated Level 4 in the Coup Test are considered suitable for applications involving handling or assembly in which sharp-edged materials are present, offering a higher level of protection and potentially reducing the frequency of glove replacement due to cutting damage.

  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.

  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.