1 Scope This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information to be supplied for protective gloves against the mechanical risks of abrasion, blade cut, tea
General
The protective gloves according to this standard shall first meet all the applicable requirements of
All specimens shall be taken from the palm of different gloves for classification purposes For arm protectors, specimens shall be taken from the area for which protection is claimed
A protective glove designed to guard against mechanical risks must achieve a performance level of 1 or higher in at least one of the following properties: abrasion, blade cut, tear, or puncture Additionally, it should meet at least level A of the EN ISO 13997:1999 TDM cut resistance test, as classified by the minimum requirements outlined in Tables 1 and 2.
NOTE 1 Gloves meeting the requirements for resistance to puncture may not be suitable for protection against sharply pointed objects such as hypodermic needles
Test Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
6.1 Abrasion resistance (number of rubs) 100 500 2 000 8 000 -
Table 2 — Levels of performance for materials tested with EN ISO 13997
NOTE 2 There is no correlation between the levels of performance obtained with the 6.2 and 6.3 test methods NOTE 3 Uncertainty of measurement, see Annex B
Additional areas of the protective glove may be tested for specific protection or areas that offer lower protection, with the results documented in the user instructions.
Additional Protection
General
Additional protection can be claimed when the gloves conform to the requirements defined in the following clause(s).
Impact protection
Each area where impact protection is claimed shall be tested Due to the test method (test specimens dimensions), protection against impacts on fingers cannot be tested
Protective gloves designed for mechanical risks must be constructed to offer specific impact attenuation, including protection for the knuckles, back of the hand, and palm These gloves are required to meet established safety standards.
When the tests were carried out according to 6.6, performance shall conform to Level 1 of
5.1 Conditioning of samples and all other test consumables (e.g abrasive paper, EPDM, cotton canvas) is as follows:
The period of conditioning is at least 24 h Tests shall preferably be performed in the above mentioned environment.
Abrasion resistance
Principle
Circular material specimens undergo abrasion under controlled pressure using a cyclic planar motion that resembles a Lissajous figure, created by simple harmonic motions at right angles The abrasion resistance is quantified by the number of rubs needed to achieve breakthrough.
Consumables
An abradant shall meet the requirements as laid down in Annex A
NOTE 1 A suitable abradant has been tested by the standardization group, the Klingspor PL31B, Grit 180 1) (see Annex A)
NOTE 2 At the present time, only one calibration procedure is available using textile reference material A more robust calibration method for other reference material is still under construction
Double-sided adhesive tape is essential for securing the sample during testing to ensure consistent results The average adhesion strength must be at least 0.20 N/mm.
Tests are carried out according to the method given in Annex C
NOTE 1 If the adhesion is not sufficient, the sample will move during the test and in this case a tear phenomenon can be observed rather than abrasion
NOTE 2 Examples of suitable double sided adhesive tapes are provided in C.5 Alternative tapes can be verified for suitability using the test method defined in Annex C.
Apparatus
An abrasion machine of the type described in EN ISO 12947-1 as a Martindale Wear and Abrasion is required It shall fulfil the following requirement:
1) Klingspor PL31B, Grit 180 is the trade name of a product supplied by KLINGSPOR Schleifsysteme GmbH & Co KG, Hỹttenstraòe 36, D-35708 Haiger This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of the product named Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.
Test specimens
Four test specimens will be collected from four separate gloves of the same series If the palm design is irregular, the specimen should be taken from the area with the least expected protection, ensuring that any reinforcements not covering the entire palm are removed.
In testing specimens composed of multiple unbounded layers, each layer is tested individually For specimens with bonded layers, if the layers can be separated without causing damage, testing should be conducted on each layer separately However, if separation is not possible, the test must be carried out on all layers simultaneously, ensuring that no seams are present in the test area.
Test procedure
Cut four test specimens to a diameter of 38.0 ± 0.5 mm Secure each specimen centrally on the metal insert using double-sided adhesive tape, applying a weight of approximately 10 kg for at least 5 minutes to ensure good adhesion and prevent air bubbles Finally, position the ring of the specimen holder on the mounting plate of the machine's base.
To accommodate materials thicker than the standard ring, such as leather exceeding 1.2 mm in thickness, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the clamping ring's opening (refer to Figure 1).
Figure 1 — Alternative clamping ring for thick material
For optimal adhesion between the test specimen and adhesive tape, some materials may require extended contact time Surface treatments, such as fluff removal, can enhance adhesion, provided they do not compromise the material's performance during testing Any variations in contact time exceeding 5 minutes or the use of surface treatments must be documented.
To securely attach the specimen and metal insert to the mounting plate, firmly hold the ring in place while carefully screwing the top of the specimen holder onto it, ensuring the screw threads do not cross Once you begin the screwing process, apply consistent downward pressure with both hands on the assembly against the mounting plate.
This procedure will normally ensure that the specimen is securely retained in the holder in a wrinkle- free condition and that it is ready for testing
To ensure accurate test results, it is crucial to use a high-quality double-sided adhesive tape that effectively secures the test specimen and prevents any movement during the testing process Suitable options can typically be found in the building and construction industry, as detailed in Annex C for user convenience.
To ensure proper installation of the abradant (6.1.2.1), securely attach it to the mounting plate using double-sided adhesive tape that covers the entire surface Verify that the abradant is flat by placing the provided weight on it, and if a retaining frame is utilized, tighten it evenly with diagonally opposite screws Confirm that the abradant is firmly held in place without any tucks or ridges.
Mount the test specimen holders on the top plate with a pressure of (9.0 ± 0.2) kPa and activate the machine It is recommended to test four specimens simultaneously on the same machine; if tested separately, this must be noted in the test report along with the justification.
When removing a specimen holder from the machine to assess the endpoint for breakthrough, ensure to retighten the holder before placing it back on the machine.
To ensure the integrity of specimens during extended test interruptions, such as overnight or over the weekend, it is essential to remove them from their holders and store them face upwards Additionally, protect the specimens by covering them with a clean card or fabric.
The performance of the sample is determined by the specimen breakthrough, which is the visually observed deterioration in a specimen after exposure to a specified number of abrasion rubs, i.e.:
— in woven fabrics, when two separate threads are completely broken, resulting in a hole to appear;
— in knitted fabrics, when one thread is completely broken, resulting in a hole to appear;
— in bonded layers, when the first hole through all layers together resulting from the wear is of a diameter at least equal to 1 mm;
— in other materials then those mentioned above, when the first hole resulting from the wear is of a diameter at least equal to 1 mm
Each test will be performed with a new abradant Begin the test and check the test specimens after
Conduct the test for 100 rubs, and if no breakthrough occurs, extend the test to 500 rubs (performance level 2) If a breakthrough is still not observed, continue testing until the next performance level indicated in Table 1 is achieved Assess the test specimens at the specified rub count for each performance level.
Before each examination of a specimen at a designated performance level, it is essential to clean both the test specimens and the abradant, for instance, using clean compressed air Additionally, ensure that the specimen holder is tightened before placing it back on the machine.
If a breakthrough is found when examining the test specimens at a given performance level, the classification will be at the preceding inferior performance level
If breakthrough happens within 2 mm of the edge of a test specimen or if tearing occurs, the specimen must be discarded, necessitating a repeat of the entire test In the event that at least one specimen fails during the second test, the lowest value from the specimens that were not discarded in both tests will be recorded.
When the specimen is constituted of several layers (see 6.1.4, 2 nd paragraph), the final result of the test will be the sum of the results of all the layers
The report shall show the 4 individual results The performance level is defined as the lowest of the 4 values.
Test report
The test report shall contain the following information:
— reference to the clause of this European Standard;
— the reference of the sample;
— all individual results as per the test given in 6.1.5;
— any deviation from the test method (in particular different contact time with the adhesive tape and surface treatment of test specimen);
— reference of the used consumables (abrasive paper and adhesive tape);
— any physical change observed on the test specimen;
— the performance level in accordance with Table 1.
Blade cut resistance
Principle
Specimens are cut by a counter-rotating circular blade which moves with an alternating motion under a specified load.
Equipment
The coupe test equipment features a test bench that imparts an alternating horizontal movement to a circular, rotating blade, with a movement length of 50 mm and a full 360° rotation in the opposite direction, achieving a sinusoidal cutting speed of (8 ± 2) cm/s Additionally, a mass is applied to the blade, generating a force of (5 ± 0.5) N The circular blade, made of stainless steel, has a diameter of (45 ± 0.5) mm, a thickness of (0.3 ± 0.03) mm, and a total cutting angle ranging from 30° to 35°.
1 compartment of motor and electronic detection 9 counter
2 wheel and driving rod 10 specimen
5 test piece device 13 aluminium foil
8 support plate a alternating motion of the blade
Figure 2 — Apparatus for testing blade cut resistance of protective gloves
For this test, a 45 mm diameter OLFA® RB blade is recommended The setup includes a support made of conductive rubber with a hardness of (80 ± 3) IRHD, such as EPDM, where the test specimen is positioned Additionally, a clamping frame for the specimen is required, as illustrated in Figure 2 An automatic system to detect the cut-through moment and a cycle counter calibrated to one-tenth of a cycle are also essential components of the testing apparatus.
Test specimen
Each specimen measures approximately 60 mm in width and 100 mm in length, cut at a 45° angle For specimens composed of multiple unbonded layers, the entire specimen must be tested as a whole.
2) The OLFA® RB 45 mm is the trademark of a product manufactured by the OLFA corporation, Osaka, 537 Japan This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of the product named Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results layers together In case of an irregular design of the palm, the test specimen shall be taken from the palm area where the least protection is expected
Two test specimens shall be taken from 2 separate gloves.
Control specimen
The dimensions of the control specimen are identical with those of the test specimen, cut from a cotton canvas 3) with the technical specifications given in 6.2.5.
Canvas
Fabric warp and weft: cotton spun from open end fibres
CANVAS: The canvas shall be fabric warp and weft: cotton spun from open end fibres with the following properties:
— linear mass warp = 2 plies of 83 Tex +/- 1 Tex;
— linear mass weft = 250 Tex +/- 1 Tex;
— warp = 14 double threads per cm;
— tensile strength in warp = 1400 N (minimum) (EN ISO 13934-1);
— tensile strength in weft = 1100 N (minimum) (EN ISO 13934-1);
Test method
On the rubber support, place an aluminium foil of about 0,01 mm thick covered with a paper sheet of
The sheet, measuring (65 ± 5) g/m² and less than 0.1 mm in thickness, is designed to minimize specimen displacement during testing and prevent unintended cut-through detections caused by steel yarns in specific fabrics or gaps in thin knitted structures The control specimen is positioned without stretching on the foil within the clamping frame.
The clamping frame is positioned on the table The arm holding the blade is lowered gently onto the control specimen
Before conducting any test, the blade's sharpness is assessed by recording the number of cycles (C) during a cut-through with a control specimen For the initial test sequence, the cycles must range from 0.8 to 1.4, while for every subsequent set of four tests, the cycles should be between 0.8 and 2.0.
3) Such a canvas is made by TENTHOREY DE LA PLAINE - 88510 ELOYES – FRANCE, Fabric Quality identification: n°14861 This information is given for the convenience of users of this European Standard and does not constitute an endorsement by CEN of the product named Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results
For blade maintenance, if the cycle count is less than 0.8, perform cutting motions on three layers of control fabric to reduce sharpness If the cycle count exceeds 2.0 after each test sequence, replace the blade for the next sequence Additionally, a new blade should be used to initiate a new test after every five test sequences.
The test specimen is subjected to the same test and the number of cycles (T) is recorded The test is manually stopped when T reaches maximum 60 cycles
Each test specimen will undergo five tests in a specific sequence, beginning at one extreme of the specimen The testing process includes: a) conducting a test on a control specimen, b) performing a test on the test specimen, and c) concluding with another test on the control specimen.
If, after the initial sequence, the number of cycles \( C_{n+1} \) exceeds three times \( C_n \) for any tested specimen, the EN ISO 13997:1999 cut resistance method outlined in section 6.3 must be conducted This method will then serve as the reference test for evaluating protection against cut risks.
However, the test method corresponding to 6.2 could be done on request.
Calculation of test results
The results shall be presented in accordance with Table 3
Table 3 — Blade cut test - Calculation of index
C n represents the average value of cycles on control specimen before and after the cut of the test specimen T n and is calculated as follows:
For each test specimen the final index value (I) is calculated as follows:
The minimum value of I is 1 if T = 0 I is a number without unit
The report will present the data from two samples in Table 3, showcasing ten results along with the two calculated mean values, Cn The performance level is determined by the lower of the two calculated index values.
Test report
The test report shall contain the following information:
— reference to the clause of this European Standard;
— the reference of the sample;
— any deviation from the test method;
— reference of the used consumables (blade, cotton canvas)
— the performance level in accordance to Table 1.
Cut Resistance method (EN ISO 13997)
General
This test method is described in EN ISO 13997:1999 Table 2 shows the correspondence between the performance level (A to F) and the equivalent cutting load of EN ISO 13997:1999.
Test specimen
Test specimens shall be taken from the gloves palm
The specifications concerning gloves given in Clause 5 and Annex A of EN ISO 13997:1999 shall be applied
The 5 final values (EN ISO 13997:1999, 6.3.5 e) shall be measured on the same sample of the palm.
Tear resistance
Principle
The resistance to tear is defined as the force necessary to propagate a tear in a rectangular specimen slit half way along its length.
Equipment
Only tensile testers of at least Class 2 according to EN ISO 7500-1, equipped with low inertia force measurement systems shall be used.
Test specimen
The test specimen dimensions are defined in Figure 5 Dimensions of the specimen to be tested:
The test specimen measures (100 ± 10) mm by (50 ± 5) mm, with a longitudinal incision of (50 ± 5) mm made (25.0 ± 2.5) mm from the edge This incision must be executed with a sharp blade, ensuring it is straight and perpendicular to the specimen surface If the glove features reinforcements, such as pads in the palm, the specimen should be taken from the layers without these reinforcements For specimens composed of multiple unbonded layers, testing is conducted on each layer, with classification determined by the layer exhibiting the highest performance level.
Setting up the test specimen
To ensure accurate testing, each pre-cut strip must have at least 20 mm clamped in a tensile tester, with the jaws positioned at least 10 mm apart to maintain a pulling direction that is parallel to the specimen's longitudinal axis.
Test method
6.4.5.1 The tearing force is recorded on a X-Y recorder at a tensile test speed of
(100 ± 10) mm/min The specimen shall be torn totally apart Note that in some cases the tearing may not be in the longitudinal direction of the specimen
6.4.5.2 If the specimen is not fully torn apart under a force in excess of 75 N, then the test may be stopped and the maximum force reached is recorded
6.4.5.3 The test shall be performed on one specimen cut from each of four different gloves of the same glove series
6.4.5.4 Two specimens shall be tested in the direction of the glove from cuff to finger tips, and two specimens shall be tested across the palm width (see Figure 7)
6.4.5.5 The tear resistance for each specimen is taken as the highest peak recorded, and the classification is determined by taking the lowest of the individual values
Key a) across the palm width of the glove b) in the direction of the glove
Puncture resistance
Principle
Puncture resistance refers to the force applied by a steel stylus of specific dimensions to penetrate a test specimen secured in a retaining device It is important to distinguish this from the piercing action of thin tips or needles.
Equipment
— a low inertia compression tool, Class 2 according to EN ISO 7500-1, equipped to measure forces from 0 N to 500 N;
— a steel stylus centred in the axis of the tool, shaped to the precise requirements and dimensions of Figure 8;
— a retaining device for the test specimen centred in the axis of the tool, as given in Figure 9
Figure 8 — Stylus - Steel 60 HRC Rockwell
Test specimen
A circular specimen with a minimum diameter of 40 mm is taken in such a way that seams, reinforcements or extra thicknesses are located outside the clamping area and the point of perforation
When multiple unbonded layers are present, they are tested collectively For irregular palm designs, every area must undergo testing, with the final result being the lowest value obtained.
Test method
To conduct the test, securely clamp the specimen in the retaining device with its exterior surface facing the stylus Lower the stylus onto the specimen at a rate of 100 mm/min until a displacement of 50 mm is achieved, recording the maximum force value, regardless of whether the specimen is punctured This test should be performed on four specimens from different gloves within the same series Ensure that the stylus profile and measurements align with Figure 8 for each test, and it is advisable to check the stylus every 500 uses for most materials; however, for harder and more abrasive materials, more frequent checks are essential The classification of the material is based on the lowest recorded force value.
Test report
The test report shall contain the following information:
— reference to the clause of this European Standard;
— the reference of the sample;
— the 4 measured values as defined in 6.5.4;
— any deviation from the test method;
— the performance level in accordance with Table 1.
Impact Test
For knuckles, the tests are carried out according to EN 13594:2015, 6.9 with impact energy of 5 J
The center of the claimed protection area for other parts, such as the back of the hand and palm, must be tested in accordance with EN 13594:2015, section 6.9, using an impact energy of 5 J This involves conducting four impacts at the center of the protective area with four different gloves, and the results should be reported as specified in EN 13594:2015, section 6.9 h).
General
Marking of the protective glove or arm protector shall be in accordance with the applicable clauses of
Pictograms
Gloves that meet the criteria outlined in Clause 4 must display their mechanical properties through a pictogram, as illustrated in Figure 10 This pictogram indicates the mechanical risks associated with the gloves, along with the corresponding performance levels for each mechanical test, as shown in Figure 11.
The first number indicates abrasion resistance, the second denotes blade cut resistance, the third represents tear resistance, the fourth signifies puncture resistance, and the fifth character (a letter) corresponds to the EN ISO 13997:1999 cut resistance, as detailed in Tables 1 and 2.
If the blade cut resistance test according to section 6.2 indicates dulling of the blades as defined in section 6.3, and cut resistance is claimed, the product must be marked with at least the EN ISO 13997:1999 alphabetical cut resistance level Additionally, the numerical cut level from section 6.2 may be optionally included in the marking alongside the alphabetical level derived from the EN ISO 13997:1999 test results.
The positioning of the pictogram and performance levels in relation to each other shall be in accordance to EN 420
Figure 10 — Pictogram for mechanical risks
Marking of additional requirements
When the requirements given in 4.2.1 are fulfilled by the gloves, the marking code “P” is added after the five performance levels number (see example in Figure 11).
Examples of marking
Figure 11 — Example of marking for the mechanical risks
Table 4 — Explanation of the examples given in Figure 11
Cut (6.2) level 4 test not performed or not applicable level 2 Tear (6.4) level 4 level 1 not achieved level 1 not achieved
Cut (6.3) level E Level E test not performed
Impact protection achieved test not performed test not performed
8 Information supplied by the manufacturer in the user notice
The information shall be in accordance with the applicable clause of EN 420
Details of any special tests carried out in a different environment shall be given (see 5.3)
If relevant, a warning shall be included that for gloves with two or more layers the overall classification does not necessarily reflect the performance of the outermost layer
If impact protection is claimed, it shall state:
— the area(s) where protection is claimed;
— a warning that the protection does not apply to the finger
Mechanical resistant gloves with a tear performance of level 1 or higher must include a warning indicating that they should not be worn in situations where there is a risk of entanglement with moving machine parts.
In the cut resistance test (6.2), the coupe test results serve as a preliminary indication, whereas the TDM cut resistance test (6.3) provides the definitive performance benchmark This information should be clearly stated in the user notice.
Definition of the abradant
The abradant shall meet the following specifications:
— Backing: The backing shall consist of suitable-quality paper having a minimum basis weight of
— Adhesive: The adhesive must be suitable for its purpose;
— Abrasive: The abrasive grain employed must be suitable for its purpose Only grain per FEPA P Standard shall be used
The abrasive paper shall have the following characteristics: a) The breaking strength shall not be less than:
1) in the longitudinal direction: 500 N/50 mm;
2) in the transverse direction: 250 N/50 mm b) The weight of abrasive paper shall be 300 g/m² ± 15 %.
Acceptation criteria of the abradant
When testing the cotton canvas (6.2.5) with the method described in 6.1.5 after 100 cycles, the weight lost shall be between 0,009 g and 0,027 g
Test results - Uncertainty of measurement
For each of the required measurements performed in accordance with this standard, a corresponding estimate of the uncertainty of measurement shall be evaluated
One of the three following approaches shall be used:
— a statistical method, e.g that given in ISO 5725-2;
— a mathematical method, e.g that given in ISO/IEC Guide 98-3;
— uncertainty and conformity assessment as given in ISO/IEC Guide 98-4
Validation test for the adhesive used in EN 388, 6.1.2.2
Objective
It is very important that the sample is well stuck during the abrasion test (EN 388, 6.1)
The bonding performance of the adhesive tape is essential
This test method is based on EN ISO 11644.
Apparatus and materials
The tensile-testing machine must include several key features: it should have a force range suitable for the specimen being tested, maintain a consistent jaw separation speed of 100 mm/min, provide appropriate means for securing the adherent-plate holder and hook link, and allow for the recording of a force-distance diagram throughout the testing process.
C.2.2 PVC-plate, comprising a piece of hard poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), measuring approximately
70 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm, to which the leather specimen is bonded PVC with a high infrared (IR) absorption is preferred
The adherent-plate holder, illustrated in Figure C.1, is constructed from a suitable material to securely hold the adherent plate, which is bonded to the leather specimen, in the lower clamp of the tensile-testing machine Additionally, the plates can be firmly secured using screws on the sides of the plate holder, as shown in Figure C.3.
(± 2 mm for 35 mm, otherwise ± 1 mm)
The hook link, constructed from steel wire with a diameter ranging from 1 mm to 2 mm and measuring at least 200 mm in length, is designed to securely attach the free end of the leather specimen to the upper clamp of the tensile-testing machine This specific length of the hook link is crucial as it maintains the peel angle near 90°, ensuring accurate testing results.
C.2.5 Punch, suitable for making a hole 2 mm to 3 mm in diameter in the leather reference rubber specimen, if using the hook link (C.2.4)
C.2.6 Reference rubber (see ISO 4649:2010, Annex B), dimension of the piece of rubber to be tested,
The rubber should be cut to a thickness of 1.5 mm, focusing on the outer, smoother surface This surface must be degreased using petroleum ether (density = 0.65 g/cm³) After degreasing, allow the reference rubber to dry for 2 minutes before applying the adhesive tape.
Preparation of test specimens
The adhesive tape is the test specimen
The test specimens and the reference rubber shall be conditioned for at least 16 h in the standard atmosphere specified in EN 388 before testing
Stick the test specimen strip of 70 mm ± 2 mm × 10 mm ± 1 mm on the PVC plate (C.2.2) and then stick the reference rubber on to the strip (see Figure C.2)
Figure C.2 — Preparation of the test specimen
Then place a PVC plate on top of the assembly under a weight of 10 kg
Keep the weight on the assembly for a duration of 5 min ± 30 s, then remove the 10 kg weight and perform the test immediately
Two test assemblies shall be prepared.
Test procedure
C.4.1 Fix the holder (C.2.3) in the lower clamp of the tensile-testing machine (C.2.1)
C.4.2 Slide the conditioned test specimen (PVC-plate / test specimen / reference rubber) into the holder until one end of the plate is flush with one end of the holder
To conduct the tensile test, securely attach one end of the hook link to the upper clamp of the tensile-testing machine, and connect the other end to the leather specimen by inserting it into the hole at the specimen's end (refer to Figure C.3).
Figure C.3 — Arrangement of the test specimen and clamps for the test with the hook link system
Set the tensile-testing machine to a consistent jaw separation speed of 100 mm/min and document the force-distance diagram for the separation of the reference rubber from the test specimen.
C.4.5 The force shall be applied such that the reference rubber peels off at an angle of about 90° to the
The test is done on the second test specimen
To determine the mean force during the peel propagation of the test specimen, analyze each force-distance diagram as illustrated in Figure C.4 Record the adhesion value in newtons per millimeter, rounding to the nearest 0.01 N/mm.
Figure C.4 — Evaluation of force-distance diagram
The registration of force begins after the initial surge peak, capturing all subsequent peaks (refer to Figure C.4) However, the first and last 10% of the displacement should be excluded from evaluation The adhesion force is determined by averaging the values of the force peaks and valleys In cases where no force peaks are detected, the total displaced distance—excluding the initial and final 10%—is divided into nine equal sections, with the adhesion force calculated from the mean values at the start of each section.
For the 2 test-specimens, calculate and record the mean of all adhesion values obtained The result is the average of the 2 values.
Examples of acceptable adhesive tape
This European Standard provides examples of commercially available products for user convenience, but it does not endorse these products Users may opt for equivalent products as long as they can demonstrate comparable results.
Relationship between this European Standard and the essential requirements of Directive 89/686/EEC aimed to be covered
This European Standard was developed in response to the Commission's standardization request M/031, offering a voluntary method to meet the essential requirements of Directive 89/686/EEC, which aims to harmonize the laws of Member States concerning personal protective equipment.
Citing this standard in the Official Journal of the European Union under the Directive establishes that adherence to the normative clauses outlined in Table ZA.1 provides a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the Directive and related EFTA regulations, within the standard's scope.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Annex II of the Directive
Directive 89/686/EEC Clause(s)/sub- clause(s) of this EN Remarks/Notes
1.4 Information supplied by the manufacturer
2.12 PPE bearing one or more identification or recognition marks directly or indirectly relating to health and safety
3.1.1 Impact caused by falling or projecting objects and collision of parts of the body with an obstacle
3.3 Protection against physical injury (abrasion, perforation, cuts, bites)
The presumption of conformity is valid only while the reference to this European Standard is included in the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union It is essential for users of this standard to regularly check the latest list in the Official Journal to ensure compliance.
WARNING 2 — Other Union legislation may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of this standard
This informative section highlights the importance of cut resistance in gloves designed to protect against mechanical risks When choosing protective gloves, it is crucial to prioritize cut resistance based on the specific application.
Cut resistance in gloves and arm protectors indicates their ability to withstand cutting actions from sharp blades This is measured by the cut resistance index from the Coupe test (EN 388:2016, clause 6.2) and the Newton rating from ISO 13997:1999 (EN 388:2016, clause 6.3).
The cut tests outlined in EN 388:2016 serve as a standard to help end users identify effective products for their needs This information aims to clarify and enhance the test data from EN 388:2016, ultimately contributing to a decrease in accidents and their related expenses.
Gloves should not be considered protective against mechanical hazards unless verified by accredited laboratory testing Additional testing can provide further valuable insights It is advisable to conduct workplace trials of gloves to confirm their suitability.
The committee is of the opinion that terms such as 'cut-proof' and 'anti-cut' are misleading and should not be used.
Cut-resistant gloves and arm protectors are essential in environments where sharp objects pose a cutting hazard In situations where there is a risk of entanglement with moving parts, it is crucial to employ alternative protective measures, such as guards Additionally, using gloves with high dexterity can further reduce the likelihood of accidents.
NA.2 Explanation of EN 388:2016 cut resistance tests and markings
When evaluating cut resistance, two independent tests are utilized: the Coupe test and the ISO 13997 test The Coupe test result is indicated by a number in the second position on gloves that comply with EN 388:2016, while the ISO 13997 result is represented by a letter in the fifth position Notably, gloves can provide higher levels of protection beyond the maximum levels defined by these tests, such as exceeding ISO 13997:1999 Level F.
The Coupe method involves conducting control cuts on a standard material to evaluate blade sharpness These control cuts are executed both before and after a sample cut to measure the sample's impact on the blade If the sample causes the blade to blunt by a factor of three or more, the reference test method for cut resistance shifts to the ISO 13997:1999 test.
The UK committee emphasizes that if the Coupe test is conducted and the sample is found to blunt the blade as per the standard, the results should remain hidden from end users to prevent misinformation, as the test is not suitable for this material Instead, the second position should be marked with an 'X' to indicate this.
The standard for cut protection testing focuses on the palm area of gloves, assuming uniformity throughout the glove However, since all parts, including the back of the hand, can be exposed to cuts, it is advisable to test additional areas of the glove when there is a heightened risk of cuts Additionally, when selecting gloves with reinforced palms, it is important to recognize that the cut score may not accurately reflect the glove's overall performance, necessitating further testing to address these potential discrepancies.
NA.4 Factors affecting glove performance
Mechanical hazard properties, such as cut resistance, are typically evaluated on new gloves However, cut resistance can diminish over time with use, making it essential to monitor glove performance throughout their lifespan This monitoring should involve regular inspections, field trials, and accurate documentation of any cut-related incidents.
Glove performance may be impaired by the following factors:
• Degradation due to certain environmental conditions/contaminants.
The UK committee recommends gloves be properly and regularly inspected, stored, maintained and replaced as necessary to ensure optimal performance.