Selecting the right safety gloves involves more than just picking a durable pair. For optimal protection, you must understand the ratings and standards that dictate a glove’s performance in specific work environments. Globally recognized standards, such as EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA, help ensure consistency, reliability, and safety in glove manufacturing.
In this guide, we’ll break down these ratings and explain how to interpret them, empowering you to make informed choices for your safety needs.
Why Are Safety Glove Ratings Important?
Workplace hazards vary across industries, from sharp tools in construction to chemical exposure in laboratories. Safety glove ratings:
- Help identify gloves suitable for specific tasks.
- Provide confidence in a glove’s durability and performance.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations to minimize workplace accidents.
Key Safety Glove Standards
1. EN 388 (European Standard for Protective Gloves)
EN 388 is a widely recognized standard for mechanical protection. It evaluates gloves based on four main criteria:
- Abrasion Resistance (Scale: 1-4):
- Measures how well gloves resist wear and tear.
- Cut Resistance (Scale: 1-5):
- Assesses resistance to cuts from sharp objects.
- Tear Resistance (Scale: 1-4):
- Indicates the force required to tear the glove material.
- Puncture Resistance (Scale: 1-4):
- Evaluates resistance to punctures from pointed objects.
Example:
A glove rated as EN 388: 4 3 4 2 provides:
- Maximum abrasion resistance (4).
- Moderate cut resistance (3).
- High tear resistance (4).
- Moderate puncture resistance (2).
2. ANSI/ISEA 105 (American National Standard for Hand Protection)
This U.S.-based standard emphasizes cut resistance but also includes abrasion, puncture, and chemical resistance.
Cut Resistance Levels (A1 to A9):
- A1: Minimal protection (200–499 grams of force).
- A9: Maximum protection (6,000+ grams of force).
Puncture Resistance (Levels 1-5):
- Evaluates resistance to punctures from nails, needles, etc.
Chemical Permeation:
- Measures a glove’s ability to resist chemical penetration over time.
Comparison to EN 388:
ANSI ratings are more detailed for cut resistance, while EN 388 provides a broader overview of mechanical hazards.
3. EN 374 (Chemical-Resistant Gloves)
EN 374 focuses on gloves designed for chemical and microbiological protection. Ratings here include:
- Permeation Resistance: Time taken for a chemical to penetrate the glove material.
- Degradation: Changes in glove material upon contact with chemicals.
Example: A glove marked EN 374: Type A provides high chemical resistance against six or more chemicals.
4. ISO 13997 (TDM Test for Cut Resistance)
This global standard complements EN 388 by measuring the force required to cut through a glove using a straight blade. Results are expressed in Newtons (N), with higher values indicating better cut protection.
How to Read Safety Glove Labels
Safety gloves typically have markings that include:
- Standard Code (e.g., EN 388, ANSI/ISEA): Specifies the rating system used.
- Performance Ratings: Indicates levels for abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, etc.
- Material Compatibility: Describes suitable environments (e.g., chemical handling, heat resistance).
Factors to Consider When Choosing Rated Gloves
Industry Hazards:
- Construction: Look for high abrasion and cut resistance.
- Laboratories: Prioritize chemical resistance (EN 374).
Fit and Dexterity:
- Ensure gloves provide protection without sacrificing flexibility.
Durability:
- Choose gloves that meet or exceed required ratings for your tasks.
Standards Compliance:
- Ensure the gloves comply with regional standards, such as ANSI in the U.S. or EN in Europe.
Common Misconceptions About Glove Ratings
Myth: Higher ratings mean better gloves.
- Reality: Ratings should match task-specific needs; over-specification may reduce dexterity.
Myth: All gloves with the same rating perform identically.
- Reality: Variations in material and construction affect real-world performance.
How DexSafety Gloves Meet Standards
At DexSafety, all our gloves are rigorously tested to meet or exceed international safety standards like EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105. Whether you need construction gloves with superior cut resistance or chemical-resistant gloves for industrial use, our products deliver unmatched reliability and comfort.
Understanding safety glove ratings and standards is crucial for selecting the right protection for your needs. By recognizing the key metrics and aligning them with workplace hazards, you can ensure safety and compliance across industries.
Explore our wide range of certified safety gloves at DexSafety.net, and protect your workforce with confidence.