Safety Gloves

Understanding Safety Glove Standards: EN 388, EN 374, CE Marking & UK Regulations

By Firstworkwear
4 min read

Protecting workers’ hands from hazards is paramount in any workplace. Choosing the right safety gloves requires a thorough understanding of the relevant standards and regulations. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key UK and EU safety glove standards, focusing on EN 388, EN 374, and the importance of CE marking, to help you select the appropriate hand protection for your specific needs.

The Importance of Safety Glove Standards

Safety glove standards are crucial for ensuring worker safety and compliance with legal requirements. These standards provide a framework for testing and classifying gloves based on their performance against various hazards. Failing to use appropriate safety gloves can lead to serious injuries, increased workplace accidents, and legal repercussions.

Key European Standards: EN 388 & EN 374

EN 388: Mechanical Risks

EN 388 is the European standard for protective gloves against mechanical risks. It assesses the glove’s resistance to:

  • Abrasion Resistance: How well the glove resists surface wear and tear.
  • Cut Resistance: The glove’s ability to withstand cutting forces (rated on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest).
  • Tear Resistance: How well the glove resists tearing when subjected to force.
  • Puncture Resistance: The glove’s resistance to penetration by sharp objects (rated on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest).

Example: A glove with an EN 388 rating of 4542 indicates high abrasion resistance (4), high cut resistance (5), high tear resistance (4), and moderate puncture resistance (2). This glove would be suitable for tasks involving significant abrasion, cutting, and tearing risks, such as handling sharp metal sheets.

EN 374: Chemical Risks

EN 374 specifies the requirements for protective gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. It covers the glove’s resistance to permeation, degradation, and penetration by various chemicals. The standard uses a complex coding system to indicate resistance to specific chemicals, including acids, alkalis, solvents, and microorganisms.

Example: A glove with the marking “EN 374: Type A, KCL, Type B” indicates that the glove has passed tests for permeation, degradation, and penetration, and is suitable for use with specific chemicals listed (KCL represents a specific chemical type). This information is crucial for selecting gloves for handling hazardous chemicals in industries like manufacturing or laboratories.

Understanding the EN 374 Type Classification

EN 374 classifies chemical resistant gloves into three types based on their permeation resistance:

  • Type A: Provides a higher level of protection against permeation by a range of chemicals.
  • Type B: Offers protection against a smaller range of chemicals compared to Type A.
  • Type C: Provides protection against the permeation of specific chemicals. The specific chemicals are listed on the glove’s packaging.

CE Marking and UKCA Marking

The CE marking indicates that a product complies with EU health, safety, and environmental protection legislation. For safety gloves, this means the gloves have been tested and meet the requirements of relevant standards like EN 388 and EN 374. Following Brexit, the UK introduced the UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed) which is now required for products sold in Great Britain. Both markings signify compliance with essential safety requirements.

Selecting the Right Safety Gloves: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Conduct a Risk Assessment: Identify all potential hand hazards in the workplace (cuts, abrasions, chemicals, heat, etc.).
  2. Choose the Appropriate Standards: Select the relevant European standards (EN 388, EN 374, etc.) based on the identified hazards.
  3. Review Glove Specifications: Examine the glove’s performance ratings and chemical resistance properties as indicated by the standard markings.
  4. Consider Glove Materials: Different materials offer varying levels of protection against different hazards (e.g., nitrile for chemical resistance, cut-resistant aramid fibers for cut protection).
  5. Ensure Proper Fit and Comfort: Ill-fitting gloves can reduce dexterity and increase the risk of accidents.
  6. Check for CE or UKCA Marking: Verify that the gloves bear the appropriate conformity marking.
  7. Provide Training: Train employees on the proper use, care, and disposal of safety gloves.

Other Relevant Standards

Beyond EN 388 and EN 374, other standards address specific hazards:

  • EN 407: Thermal risks (heat, fire).
  • EN 511: Cold risks.
  • EN 16350: Vibration risks.

Maintaining Compliance

Regularly reviewing and updating your risk assessment is crucial for maintaining compliance. The workplace environment and tasks can change, necessitating the use of different safety gloves. Always ensure that your chosen gloves meet the latest standards and are suitable for the specific hazards present.

Understanding safety glove standards is essential for protecting workers and ensuring compliance with regulations. By carefully considering the hazards present in the workplace and selecting gloves that meet the appropriate standards (EN 388, EN 374, etc.), employers can significantly reduce the risk of hand injuries. Remember to always check for CE or UKCA marking to ensure compliance and provide adequate training to your employees on the proper use of safety gloves.