All gloves must comply with EN420 General Requirement for Gloves.
To assist in the selection of PPE, the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (89/686/EEC) is written such that safety equipment is categorised. The categories are described as SIMPLE, INTERMEDIATE and COMPLEX design.
Other standards relate to specific types of hazards, EN388 provides a system for evaluating the performance of a glove according to stated levels.
Examples include protection against cleaning materials of weak action, protection against heat (not above 50°C) and protection against minor impacts and vibrations.
Examples include protection against chemical attack or ironising radiation, protection against heat where the temperature is above 100°C, protection against cold where the air temperature is below -50°C and protection against electrical risks (for example high voltage).
Gloves that do not fall into either Simple design or Complex design categories.
Other standards relate to specific types of hazards, EN388 provides a system for evaluating the performance of a glove according to stated levels.
MECHANICAL HAZARDS EN388 RATING
Resistance to Abrasion 0-4
Blade Cut Resistance 0-5
Tear Resistance 0-4
Puncture Resistance 0-4
The higher the score, the better the performance.
CHEMICAL & MICRO-ORGANISM EN374
EN374-2 Resistance to penetration by micro-organisms
EN374-3 Resistance to chemical permeation
