Gloves
What you should know about gloves
Admittedly - there are many gloves to choose from, and it can be difficult to find the right ones. Below you will find a description of what the different gloves protect against.
Heavy leather gloves made of, for example, oxhide are good for work where high wear resistance is needed.
Thin leather gloves, such as assembly gloves, are suitable for work that requires high dexterity.
Gloves in split (suede) are best suited for contact heat or where there is a risk of sparks or embers.
Close-fitting gloves with high dexterity and varying properties depending on the coating.
Cut-resistant gloves are for work involving sharp objects such as knives, thin sheets, packaging, and glass. The gloves are divided from Cut A to Cut F. Where A is the lowest protection and F is the highest. Cut C gloves cover most common needs and are popular on, for example, construction sites. Cut F is for those working with sharp sheets and hobby knives.
If your fingers get cold, you lose sensitivity and the risk of injuries increases. Therefore, choose lined gloves that can keep your hands warm and dry. Winter gloves come in many different types, and you should choose based on whether you work outdoors or with cold objects in refrigerated/freezer environments. If working outdoors, it may be a good idea for the gloves to also be waterproof.
Chemical gloves are divided into type C, B, and A. Type C offers the lowest protection and is typically a disposable glove. Type B and A are more robust chemical gloves that provide better protection. Regardless of which glove you choose, it is important that the glove is approved for the specific chemical you work with. Additionally, chemical gloves may be tested for protection against bacteria/fungi and viruses.
When working with vibrating or rotating tools, there is a high risk of nerve damage in the hands and arms.
Therefore, you should do everything possible to reduce the impact of vibrations, for example by using vibration-damping gloves. Be aware that different types of tools have different vibrations, so ensure that the gloves you choose are suitable for the specific tool you are using.
The code to find the right glove
Category I - Low risk
Gloves used for general purpose where there is minimal risk. Gloves do not require special testing but must be CE marked.
Category II - Medium risk
Gloves used in safety-related medium risk situations. Typically, these are gloves for handling industrial work or gloves with cut or puncture-resistant properties. The gloves are tested and approved by an independent, certified testing institute according to EN ISO 21420:2020 and possibly other standards. The gloves are marked with a symbol indicating the protection function and degree.
Category III - High risk
This category includes chemical gloves and gloves used for protection where there is a significant risk to the user's life and health. The gloves are tested and approved by an independent, certified testing institute. Additionally, ongoing quality control is required. The gloves are marked with a symbol indicating the protection function and degree, and must also bear the ID number of the testing institute.
COMFORT IN EVERYDAY LIFE
The glove is your faithful companion in everyday life. Therefore, it should feel comfortable and pleasant to wear. Here are some things to consider.
Good finger sensitivity
If you want good finger sensitivity, look for a thin, snug-fitting glove. Generally, thin gloves provide better finger sensitivity but offer less protection against wear and tear.
Gloves with touch function
If you work with touch screens or just don't want to remove your gloves when your phone rings, choose gloves with touch function
Extra grip
If you need gloves with extra grip, go for gloves that have been treated with nitrile foam and/or have a sandy finish surface.
Think Green
At OSN, we offer a series of sustainable gloves made from recycled bottles. The gloves have the same good quality and durability as traditional gloves.
STANDARDS
You are guided by symbols.
Look for the symbols
Standard EN 388:2016+A1:2018 Mechanical risks
The gloves are tested in 5 properties. The higher the number or letter, the better the effect. For example, if you need gloves with high wear resistance, look for the first number. If you need gloves with high cut resistance, look for the second and fifth numbers.
If the test has not been performed, it will be marked with an X.
A: Wear resistance 0-4
B: Cut resistance 0-5
C: Tear resistance 0-4
D: Puncture 0-4
E: Cut resistance A-F
Test/value | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Min. | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Chemical overview
A Methanol | G Diethylamine | M Nitric acid 65% |
B Acetone | H Tetrahydrofuran | N Eddikesyre 99% |
C Acetonitrile | I Ethyl acetate | O Ammonia 25% |
D Dichloromethane | J n-Heptane | P Mixture 30% |
E Sulfuric acid | K Sodium hydroxide 40% | S Hydrofluoric acid 40% |
F Toluene | L Sulfuric acid 96% | T Formaldehyde 37% |
Standard EN ISO 10819:2013 – Vibration
When working with vibrating tools, you should wear gloves designed to reduce vibration exposure. Please note that different types of tools require different levels and types of vibration damping.
It is therefore important to know the type of vibration involved — in other words, the operating speed of the tool, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Standard EN 511 – Cold Protection
A: Kulde (strømning)
B: Kulde (kontakt)
C:
0 = Vandgennemtrængning inden for 30 min.
1 = Ingen vandgennemtrængning efter 30 min.
Standard EN ISO 374-5 – Protection Against Bacteria and Fungi
Standard EN ISO 374-5 – Protection Against Bacteria, Fungi and Viruses
Standard EN ISO 374-1 – Chemical Protection: Type C – Minimum Performance Level 1
The code letters shown next to the pictogram indicate which chemicals the glove has been tested against and for which it achieves a minimum breakthrough time of 10 minutes, corresponding to performance level 1:
Niveau | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Min. | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Standard EN ISO 374-2 – Chemical Protection: Type B – Minimum Performance Level 2
The code letters shown next to the pictogram indicate which chemicals the glove has been tested against and for which it achieves a minimum breakthrough time of 30 minutes, corresponding to performance level 2. The glove must be tested against a minimum of 3 chemicals.
Niveau | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Min. | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Standard EN ISO 374-3 – Chemical Protection: Type A – Minimum Performance Level 2
The code letters shown next to the pictogram indicate which chemicals the glove has been tested against and for which it achieves a minimum breakthrough time of 30 minutes, corresponding to performance level 2. The glove must be tested against a minimum of 6 chemicals.
Niveau | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Min. | <10 | >10 | >30 | >60 | >120 | >240 | >480 |
Kemikalieoversigt
A Methanol | G Diethylamin | M Salpetersyre 65% |
B Acetone | H Tetrahydrofuran | N Eddikesyre 99% |
C Acetonitril | I Ethylacetat | O Ammoniak 25% |
D Dichlormethan | J n-Heptan | P Brintoverilte 30% |
E Kuldisulfid | K Natriumhydroxid 40% | S Fluorsyre 40% |
F Toluen | L Svovlsyre 96% | T Formaldehyd 37% |
Standard EN 421 – Radiation
Radioactive contamination:
Pictogram for gloves that protect against direct contact with radioactive substances.
A requirement for approval is that the glove passes the special air-pressure leak test as well as the liquid penetration test specified in EN 374.
Standard EN 421: Radiation
Radioactive contamination:
Pictogram for gloves that protect against direct contact with radioactive substances. A prerequisite for approval is that the glove has passed the special leak test performed with air pressure and the liquid tightness test specified in EN 374.
EU Directive Regulation 2015/174
Approval of gloves that come into contact with food.
Tests are conducted within five different food groups and subgroups.
5 things to consider when choosing gloves
Will you work indoors or outdoors?
Should the gloves protect against: Cold/heat, cuts, abrasion, punctures, vibrations, or chemicals?
Do the gloves need extra grip?
Should the gloves have good finger sensitivity?
Do you need a touch screen-compatible glove?
This guide is prepared by
Nordic Safety Alliance
Specialists in safety equipment for industry and construction for 80 years.