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 1540	Mechanical Hazards Abrasion resistance Blade cut resistance Tear resistance Puncture resistance	0-4 0-5 0-4 0-4
EN407	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	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.