The Correct Protective Work Gloves

Pictograms help to quickly identify the work gloves' suitability for specific purposes. Each symbol represents a different type of hazard and the numbers underneath indicate how well the work glove performed in tests, the higher the number the better the performance.

Classification Level and specification of protection Rating

EN388

EN 388 1540
Mechanical Hazards
Abrasion resistance
Blade cut resistance
Tear resistance
Puncture resistance

0-4
0-5
0-4
0-4

EN407EN407

Thermal hazards (heat and/or fire)
Flammability
Contact heat
Convective heat
Radiant heat
Small splashes of molten metal
Large splashes of molten metal


0-4
0-4
0-3
0-4
0-4
0-4

EN511

EN511
Protection against Cold
Resistance to convective cold
Resistance to contact cold
Permeability to water

0-4
0-4
0-1

EN374

Chemicals and micro-organisms
Resistance to permeation by micro-organisms
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3



 4/S4
1.5/GI
0.65/GI

 

EN374

Chemicals and micro-organisms Resistance to permeation by chemicals
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6

BS 374 : 2003 states that a glove must have a breakthrough time of at least 30mins when tested for  3 chemicals from a list of 12 standard defined chemicals.  The chemicals tested against are designated an identifying letter from A to L

A  Methanol
B  Acetone
C  Acetrontrile
D  Dichloromethane
E  Carbon Disulphide
F  Toluene
G  Diethylamine
H  Tetrahydrofurane
I  Ethyl Acetate
J  n-Heptane
K  Sodium Hydroxide 40%
L  Sulphuric Acid 96%


> 10 mins
> 30 mins
> 60 mins
> 120 mins
> 240 Mins
> 480 mins

EN388

Anti Static Performance
Pass or fail

EN 388

Impact Cut Resistance
Pass or fail

This page provides a brief summary of what the various work glove markings mean in practice. While this will help in selecting the correct work glove for a particular application, the actual conditions of use cannot be simulated. It is therefore the responsibility of the end user and not the manufacturer or retailer to ensure the work glove is suitable for its intended use.

  Design by Sensable Media