Choosing the right PPE gloves for your needs

Nov 21 2023 3:39PM

PPE gloves are essential for protecting your hands from various hazards, such as cuts, burns, chemicals, infections, and more. Hower, not all gloves are created equal, and choosing the wrong ones can compromise your safety and comfort.

Regulations:

The first thing that you need to know is the relevant regulations and standards that apply to PPE gloves. These regulations specify the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, and certification of PPE gloves, as well as the duties of employers and workers in terms of providing, using, and maintaining them.

In the UK, the main regulation that covers PPE gloves is the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER 1992) as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (PPER 2022). This regulation requires employers to provide suitable PPE gloves to their workers, and the ensure that they are properly used and maintained. It also requires workers to use the PPE gloves provided, and to report any defects or damages to their employers.

The PPER 1992 and PPER 2022 are aligned with EU regulations (EU) 2016/425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018, which classify PPE gloves into three categories depending on the level of risk they protect against:

• Category I: PPE gloves that protect against minimal risks, such as superficial mechanical injuries, contact with hot or cold objects, or exposure to cleaning materials. These gloves can be self-certified by the manufacturer, and must bear the CE marking.
• Category II: PPE Gloves that protect against intermediate risks, such as mechanical hazards, certain chemicals, or thermal hazards. These gloves must undergo a conformity assessment by a notified body, and must bear the CE marking and identification number of the notified body.
• Category III: PPE gloves that protect against high risks, such as irreversible or mortal hazards, such as carcinogenic or radioactive substances, biological agents, or extreme temperatures. These gloves must undergo a conformity assessment by a notified body, and must bear CE markings and the identification number of the notified body.

The ensure that you choose the right PPE gloves for your needs, you need to check the label and the user instructions of the gloves, and look for the CE marking and the category of the gloves. You also need to check the specific standards that the gloves comply with, such as EN 388 for mechanical hazards, EN 374 for chemical and micro-organism hazards, or EN 407 for thermal hazards. These standards provide information on the performance levels and test methods of the gloves, as well as the pictograms and codes that indicate the type and degree of protection they offer.

Resistance:

The second thing you need to know is the level of resistance that the gloves provide against different types of hazards. Resistance is measured by how well the gloves can withstand abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact. The higher the resistance level, the more protection the gloves offer. However, resistance is not the only factor to consider, as you also need to take into account the comport, fit, dexterity, and durability of the gloves.

Abrasion Resistance:

Abrasion resistance is the ability of the gloves to resist wear and tear caused by rubbing or scraping. Abrasion resistance is important for the gloves that are used for handling rough or abrasive maters, such as met, wood, or glass. Abrasion resistance is tested by placing glove underneath a moving blade and measuring how much wear and tear it can tolerate abrasion resistance is rated from 1-4. 4 being the highest level of abrasion resistance. For example, gloves that comply with EN 388 standard for mechanical hazards have pictogram that shows the abrasion resistance level as the first digit.

Cut resistance:

Cut resistance is the ability of the gloves to resist cuts caused by sharp objects, such as knives, blades, or metal edges. Cut resistance is important for the gloves that are used for cutting, slicing, or handling sharp materials, such as food, paper, or plastic. Cut resistance is tested by placing the glove on a rotating blade measuring how long it takes for the blade to cut through the glove. Cut resistance is rated from A – F, with F being the highest level of cut resistance. gloves that comply with EN 388 the cut resistance level will be the second digit or letter on the pictogram.

Tear Resistance:

Tear resistance is the ability of the gloves to resist tears caused by pulling or stretching. Tear resistance is important for the gloves that are used for gripping or handling heavy or bulky objects, such as tools, equipment, or furniture. Tear resistance is tested by placing the glove between two clamps and measuring how much force it takes to tear the glove apart. Tear resistance is rated from 1-4, 4 being the highest level of tear resistance. The tear resistance will be identified as the 3 digit on the pictogram.

Puncture resistance:

Puncture resistance is the ability of the gloves to resist punctures caused by pointed objects, such as needles, nails, or wires. Puncture resistance is important for the gloves that are used for piercing or handling sharp or pointed materials, such as medical, dental, metal scraps etc. Puncture resistance is tested by placing the glove on a steel rod and measuring how much force it takes for the rod to puncture the glove. Puncture resistance is rated from 1-4, 4 being the highest level of puncture resistance. The puncture resistance rating is depicted as the 4^th digit on the pictogram.

Impact resistance;

Impact resistance is the ability of the gloves to resist impacts caused by falling or flying objects, such as hammers, wrenches, or rocks. Impact resistance is important for gloves that are used for striking or handling impact tools, such as. Drills, saws, or chisels, or working in environments where there is a risk of impact injuries, such as construction, mining, or forestry. Impact resistance is tested by placing the glove on a metal anvil and measuring how much force it can absorb when as weight is dropped on it. Impact resistance is depicted as a P,F, or X on the pictogram. This means:

• P: Pass. The glove has passed the impact test and achieved a level of 1, 2, or 3. The exact level is not specified on the glove, but it can be found on the user instructions or the technical data sheet of the glove.
• F: Fail. The glove has failed the impact test and did not achieve any level of impact resistance. The glove is not suitable for protecting against impact hazards.
• X: Not tested. The glove has not been tested for impact resistance and does not claim to offer any protection against impact hazards.

How Do I know I have the right size gloves:

1. Find a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string and a ruler.
2. Spread your hand flat on a table or a flat surface, with your fingers slightly apart.
3. Wrap the measuring tape or the string around your hand at the widest part, just below your knuckles. Do not include your thumb in the measurement.
4. Note the circumference of your hand in centimetres or inches. If you are using a string, mark the point where the string meets, and then measure the length of the string with a ruler.
5. Compare your measurement with the size chart of the glove manufacturer or supplier. Different brands may have different size charts, so make sure you check the one that corresponds to the gloves you want to buy or wear.
6. Choose the glove size that is closest to your measurement. If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one for a looser fit, or the smaller one for a tighter fit.
7. Try on the gloves and check the fit. The gloves should fit snugly but comfortably, without any gaps or wrinkles. You should be able to move your fingers freely and bend your wrist easily. The gloves should also cover your wrist and part of your forearm, depending on the length of the gloves.
8. If the gloves do not fit well, exchange them for a different size or a different brand. Do not wear gloves that are too big or too small, as they can compromise your safety and comfort.