HAND PROTECTION STANDARDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN
The standards are designed to assist managers in the provision and maintenance of workplace safety levels. The elimination of
health and safety workplace hazards is mandated by government legislation. Where they cannot be eliminated, employers are
responsible for reducing hazards to a minimum as is reasonably practical.
Many countries across the Asia-Pacific region have adopted the established European Union (EN) standards for their own use.
As a result, they have implemented a number of identical standards to those used in Europe.
For example, standard EN 420 (AS/NZS 2161.2:2005) – Occupational Protective Gloves, General Requirements – defines
requirements for all protective gloves (except electrical and medical gloves) for glove construction, cleaning, comfort and
efficiency, marking and information.
While the majority of the Australian/New Zealand occupational glove standards are identical to the European standards, there
are instances where the European standard has been revised, but the Australian/New Zealand standard has not been changed.
This is why, for example, the protection against cold standard AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 is not the same as the European cold
standard EN 511:2006. The requirements are similar but the two standards use different testing methodologies.
When buying industrial gloves, an understanding of the numeric codes and symbols used for specifying protection levels in the
standards is recommended. Each requirement, such as abrasion resistance, is represented by a symbol and a number stamped
on the glove. The higher the number, the higher level of protection. The figures are derived from specific tests for attributes such
as cut resistance.
However, it must be noted that laboratory test results cannot exactly replicate real-world working environments and therefore
should be regarded as advisory in nature only. Test results should not be interpreted as meaning a glove is definitely suitable
for a specific application or not.
Our view is that operational testing and evaluation must be a critical component of any thorough
risk-assessment process when selecting an industrial glove.
AS/NZS STANDARDS – OCCUPATIONAL PROTECTIVE GLOVES
An overview of standards under AS/NZS 2161 – Occupational Protective Gloves;
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000
Selection, use and maintenance
AS/NZS 2161.2:2005
General requirements
AS/NZS 2161.3:2005
Protection against mechanical risks
AS/NZS 2161.4:1999
Protection against thermal risks (heat and fire)
AS/NZS 2161.5:1998
Protection against cold
AS 2161.6:2003Protective gloves for firefighters – Laboratory test methods and performance requirements
AS/NZS 2161.7.1:1998Protection against cuts and stabs by hand knives – Chainmail gloves and arm guards
AS/NZS 2161.7.2:2005Protection against cuts and stabs by hand knives
– Gloves and arm guards made of material other than chainmail
AS/NZS 2161.7.3:2005
Impact cut test for fabric, leather and other materials
AS/NZS 2161.8:2002
Protection against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination
AS/NZS 2161.9:2002Method of measurement and evaluation of the vibration transmissibility
of gloves at the palm of the hand
AS/NZS 2161.10.1:2005Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms
– Terminology and performance requirements
AS/NZS 2161.10.2:2005Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms
– Determination of resistance to penetration
AS/NZS 2161.10.3:2005Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms
– Determination of resistance to permeation by chemicals
09-02
for all protective gloves (except electrical and medical gloves) for
glove construction, cleaning, comfort and efficiency, marking
and information.
Our view is that operational testing and evaluation must be a critical
component of any thorough risk-assessment process when selecting
an industrial glove.
While the majority of the Australian/New Zealand occupational
glove standards are identical to the European standards, there
are instances where the European standard has been revised,
but the Australian/New Zealand standard has not been changed.
Your Ansell Sales Manager is well equipped to provide advice
and consultation.
EN STANDARDS GUIDE
For more information, please contact your dedicated Ansell Sales
Manager or Customer Service at 1800 337 041.
This is why, for example, the protection against cold standard
AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 is not the same as the European cold
standard EN 511:2006.
The following is a guide to the pictograms used in each standard:
European glove standards for protective gloves and an explanation of the pictograms and markings used in each standard
EN PROTECTION
protection standards
EN
STANDARDS
Chemical protection
Cold protection
Mechanical protection
Low chemical resistance
Radioactive contamination
Micro-organisms
Heat protection
Ionizing radiation
EN420 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This standard defines the general requirements for ergonomy, glove construction, high visibility, innocuousness, cleaning,
comfort and efficiency, marking and information applicable to all protective gloves.
General Requirements
• Glove design and construction is suitable for its intended use
• Any seams present in construction (cotton, leather etc) do not result in a significant decrease in product performance
• The gloves will not harm the health or hygiene of the user
Sizing
• Glove sizing conforms to set specifications with respect to hand circumference
• Minimum glove lengths are specified for each size
Ansell – Protection Solutions Guide
Product and Packaging Labelling (Marking)
• Gloves must be generally marked with trade mark or other identification of manufacturer/representative, product code name
or code and size
• Packaging carries additional information such as where information about the product can be obtained and pictograms
denoting performance levels against Standards as appropriate
• Instructions for use
EN guide summary
European glove
standards
for protective gloves
EN388
– MECHANICAL
PROTECTION
This standard
is applicable
all kinds
of protective
gloves
with regards
to physical and mechanical aggressions caused
Ansell is dedicated
to supporting
the to
highest
available
regulatory
standards.
Ansell
bladebeen
cut, certified
tear andas
puncture.
standard
may Personal
also be used
to determine the impact cut resistance and
gloves soldbyinabrasion,
Europe have
per the This
European
Union’s
Protective
of the glove product.
Equipmentanti-static
Directivenature
(PPE 89/686/EEC)
and relevant EN standards, and are CE marked.
As many ofProtection
our gloves
comply
with the European
these
are explained
in this
against
mechanical
hazards isstandards,
expressed by
a pictogram
followed
by four numbers (performance levels), each
section. representing test performance against a specific hazard.
A. Resistance to abrasion: based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample glove
B. Blade cut resistance: based on the number of cycles required to cut through the sample at a constant speed
C. Tear resistance: based on the amount of force required to tear the sample
EN420 – General requirements
This pictogram indicates that the user has to consult the ‘instructions for use’.
D. Puncture
EN388 – Mechanical
protection
Performance levels
resistance: based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a standard sized point
1
2
3
4
5
A. Abrasion resistance (cycles)
100
500
2000
8000
-
B. Blade cut resistance (index)
1.2
2.5
5.0
10.0
20.0
C. Tear resistance (newton)
10
25
50
75
-
D. Puncture resistance (newton)
20
60
100
150
-
1
2
3
4.0
1.5
0.65
EN374 – Chemical protection and/or micro-organisms
Micro-organisms
EN level ≥ 2
Performance levels
AQL (Acceptable Quality Level for liquid penetration. A high index number
is poor and a low index number is good).
09-03
mary
ndards for protective gloves
EN STANDARDS GUIDE
toEN
supporting
the highest available regulatory standards. Ansell
guide summary
European
glove
standards
pe have been certifiedfor
asprotective
per thegloves
European Union’s Personal Protective
e (PPE 89/686/EEC) and relevant EN standards, and are CE marked.
Ansell
is dedicated
supporting
thePROTECTION
highest available
regulatory
standards.
Ansell
ves
comply
with the
European
standards,
these
are explained
in this
EN374
–toCHEMICAL
AND/OR
MICRO-ORGANISMS
gloves sold in Europe have been certified as per the European Union’s Personal Protective
Equipment Directive (PPE 89/686/EEC) and relevant EN standards, and are CE marked.
Protection
As many of Chemical
our gloves comply
with the European standards, these are explained in this
section.
EN guide
Thissummary
standard specifies the capability of gloves to protect the user against chemicals and/or micro-organisms.
irements
European glove standards for protective gloves
Penetration
EN420 – General
requirements
ates that the user
has to consult
Penetration
is the
the‘instructions
movementforofuse’.
a chemical and/or micro-organism through porous materials, seams, pinholes or other
Ansell is dedicated
to supporting
the glove
highest
available
standards.
imperfections
inthe
a user
protective
material
atuse’.
aregulatory
non-molecular
level. Ansell
This pictogram
indicates that
has to consult
the ‘instructions
for
gloves sold in Europe have been certified as per the European Union’s Personal Protective
EquipmentPermeation
Directive (PPE 89/686/EEC) and relevant EN standards, and are CE marked.
As many ofThe
ourrubber
glovesand
comply
standards,
these
are explained
in Sometimes
this
rotection
plasticwith
filmsthe
in European
gloves do not
always act
as barriers
to liquids.
they can act as sponges, soaking
EN388 – Mechanical protection
section. up the liquids and holding them against the skin. It is therefore necessary to measure breakthrough times, or the time taken
evels
1 to come in contact
21
3 skin. 3
4
5 5
Performance
levels
4
for
the hazardous
liquid
with 2the
A. Abrasion resistance (cycles)
100
esistance
(cycles)
100
500
EN420
– General
requirements
TESTING
AND REQUIREMENTS
500
2000
2.5
5.0
Minimum
liquid
C. Tear resistance
(newton)
10
25
This pictogram
indicates
that
theproof
user hassection
to consult the ‘instructions
for use’.
50
B. Blade cut resistance (index)
resistance (index)
2000
1.2
1.2
2.5
5.0
8000
10.0
8000
10.0
75
-
20.0
20.0
-
minimum
liquid
proof
the
be at least
the minimum
ance (newton) The
10 section of 25
75 to150
- - length of the gloves specified in EN 420.
D. Puncture
resistance
(newton)
20 glove shall
60 50
100 equal
esistance (newton)
Penetration
20
60
EN388 – Mechanical protection
EN374 – Chemical
micro-organisms
A gloveprotection
shall notand/or
leak when
tested to
Performance levels
Acceptable
Quality Level.
Micro-organisms
tection and/or
micro-organisms
A. Abrasion
resistance (cycles)
EN level ≥ 2
100
150
-
an air and/or water leak test, and shall be tested and inspected in compliance with the
1
2
100
500
Performance levels
B.
Blade
cut resistance
2.5
AQL
(Acceptable
Quality(index)
Level for liquid penetration. 1.2
A high index number
is poor
a low index
number is good).
C.
Tear and
resistance
(newton)
10
25
3
4
5
2000
1
5.0
4.0
50
8000
2
10.0
1.5
75
3
20.0
0.65
-
Chemical protection
D. Puncture resistance (newton)
evels
100
150
1
3 -be accompanied by a 3-digit code.
The20‘Chemical60Resistant’
glove 2pictogram
must
ble Quality LevelBreakthrough
for liquid penetration.
A high
index
number
time > 30 minutes
for at least
three
chemicals
A. Methanol
G. Diethylamine
from
list (XYZ represent the code letters for three of these
B. 4.0
Acetone
1.5H. Tetrahydrofurane
0.65 (from a list of 12 standard defined
low index number
isthis
good).
This code refers
to the code letters
of 3 chemicals
chemicals
for which the
glove obtained
> 30 minutes
EN374 – Chemical
protection
and/or
micro-organisms
C. Acetonitrile
I. Ethyl acetate
Micro-organisms
E. Carbon disulphide
F. Toluene
K. Sodium hydroxide 40%
L. Sulphuric acid 96%
C. Acetonitrile
I. Ethyl acetate
chemicals), forD.which
a breakthrough
time of at least 30 minutes has been obtained.
Dichloromethane
J. n-Heptane
breakthrough time).
A. Methanol
h time > 30 minutes
for atlevels
least three chemicals
Performance
1G. Diethylamine
2
3
Performance
levels
0 forofliquid
1
2 index number3
5
6
Quality
penetration.
(XYZ represent AQL
the (Acceptable
code letters
for Level
three
these
B.A high
Acetone
H.4 Tetrahydrofurane
EN level
≥ 2 glove
4.0
1.5
0.65
is poor
and a low
index
number is good).
r which
the
obtained
>
30
minutes
C.
Acetonitrile
I.
Ethyl
acetate
Minutes
< 10
10
30
60
120
240
> 480
h time).
D. Dichloromethane
J. n-Heptane
Chemical protection
Chemical resistance against chemicals of choice (AQL <4)
E. Carbon disulphide
K. Sodium hydroxide 40%
Methanol Acetone Acetonitrile
Breakthrough time > 30 minutes for at least three chemicals
A. Methanol
G. Diethylamine
F.
Toluene
L. ofSulphuric
acid 96%
This pictogram
can
be
used
for
gloves
that
don’t
meet
the
above
requirement
and
have
an
AQL
two or
from this list (XYZ represent the code letters for three of these
B. Acetone
H.lower.
Tetrahydrofurane
chemicals for which the glove obtained > 30 minutes
evels
D. Dichloromethane
0breakthrough time).
1
2
3
4
5J. n-Heptane
6
Permeation
E. Carbon disulphide
K. Sodium hydroxide 40%
Each chemical
tested is classified
in met
terms
of breakthrough
time
level 0 to 6).
Note: The CE marking
that a product has
the European
Union’s
consumer, safety
and/or(performance
environmental
F. Toluene
L. Sulphuricrequirements.
acid 96%
< 10is a mandatory conformity
10 mark, certifying 30
60
120
240
> 480
The initials CE do not stand for any specific words.
Performance levels
chemicals of choice (AQL <4)
Minutes
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
< 10
10
30
60
120
240
> 480
Chemical
resistance
against
chemicals
of choice
(AQLrequirement
<4)
be used
for gloves
that
don’t
meet the
above
and have an AQL of two or lower.
Chemical resistance against chemicals of choice (AQL <4)
This pictogram can be used for gloves that don’t meet the above requirement and have an AQL of two or lower.
‘Low
Chemical
Resistant’
orand/or
‘Waterproof’
glove
pictogram is to be used for those gloves that do not
y conformity mark, certifying that a product has The
met the
European
Union’s consumer,
safety
environmental
requirements.
Note:words.
The CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark, certifying that a product has met the European Union’s consumer, safety and/or
environmental
requirements.
Ansell
– Protection
Solutions
pecific
achieve a breakthrough time of at least 30 minutes
against
at Guide
least three chemicals from the defined list,
The initials CE do not stand for any specific words.
but which comply with the Penetration test.
Micro-organisms
The ‘Micro-organism’ pictogram is to be used when the glove conforms to at least a performance level 2
for the Penetration test.
Ansell – Protection Solutions Guide
Ansell – Protection Solutions Guide
09-04
EN STANDARDS GUIDE
EN guide summary
continued
European glove standards for protective gloves
EN511 – COLD PROTECTION
EN407
Heat protection
This standard applies to any gloves
to –protect
the hands against convective and contact cold down to –50 °C.
Performance levels
1
2
3
4
no requirement
< 120secs
< 25secs
< 5secs
250ºC
< 15secs
350ºC
< 15secs
500ºC
< 15secs
Protection against cold is expressed by a pictogram followed by a series of 3 performance levels,
< 20secs
< 10secs
< 3secs
< 2secs
relating to specific protective
qualities.
A. Burning behaviour
(after flame and after glow time)
100ºC
The ‘Cold Hazard’ pictogram
is accompanied by a 3-digit number:
B. Contact heat (contact temperature and threshold time)
< 15secs
A. Resistance to convective cold (performance level 0 – 4)
C. Convective heat (heat transfer delay)
B. Resistance to contact
cold (performance level 0 – 4) > 4secs
D. Radiant heat (heat transfer delay)
> 7secs
C. Permeability by water (0 or 1)
E. Small drops molten metal (number drops)
All gloves must achieve at least Performance
level
1 molten
for abrasion
and tear.
F. Large
quantity
metal (mass)
> 7secs
> 10secs
> 18secs
> 20secs
> 50secs
> 95secs
> 10
> 15
> 25
> 35
30g
60g
120g
200g
Resistance to convective cold
– Coldof
protection
Based on the thermal insulation EN511
properties
the glove which are obtained by measuring the transfer of cold via convection.
Performance Levels
Resistance to contact cold
Based on the thermal resistance of
the glove material when exposed to
contact with a cold object.
0
1
2
3
4
A. Convective cold
Thermal insulation ITR in m2. ºC/W
| < 0.10
0.10<|<0.15
0.15<|<0.22
0.22<|<0.30
0.30<|
B. Contact cold
Thermal resistance R in m2. ºC/W
R<0.025
C. Water penetration test
Fail
Permeability by water
Note: 0 is the lowest rating while 4 is the highest.
0 = water penetration after 30 minutes
of exposure; 1 = no water penetration.
0.025<R<0.050 0.050<R<0.100 0.100<R<0.150
Pass
-
0.150<R
-
-
EN421 – Radioactive contamination + ionizing radiation
EN407 – HEAT PROTECTION
Gloves protecting from direct contact with radio-active
Gloves protecting from direct contact with radiations
substances.
(X-ray, alpha-, beta-, gamma- or neutron radiations).
This standard specifies thermal performance
for protective gloves against heat and/or
fire.
The nature and degree of protection is shown by a pictogram followed by a series of six performance
levels, relating to specific protective qualities.
The ‘Heat and Flame’ pictogram is accompanied by a 6-digit number:
A. Resistance to flammability (performance level 0 – 4)
B. Contact heat resistance (performance level 0 – 4)
C. Convective heat resistance (performance level 0 – 4)
EN guide
summary
continued level 0 – 4)
D. Radiant
heat resistance
(performance
Europeantoglove
standards
gloves
E. Resistance
small
splashesfor
of protective
molten metal
(performance level 0 – 4)
F. Resistance to large splashes of molten metal (performance level 0 – 4)
Gloves must achieve at leastEN407
Performance
level 1 for abrasion and tear.
– Heat protection
Resistance to flammability
Based on the length of time the
material continues to burn and
glow after the source of ignition is
removed. The seams of the glove
shall not come apart after an ignition
time of 15 seconds.
Performance levels
1
2
3
4
< 20secs
no requirement
< 10secs
< 120secs
< 3secs
< 25secs
< 2secs
< 5secs
B. Contact heat (contact temperature and threshold time)
100ºC
< 15secs
250ºC
< 15secs
350ºC
< 15secs
500ºC
< 15secs
C. Convective heat (heat transfer delay)
> 4secs
> 7secs
> 10secs
> 18secs
D. Radiant heat (heat transfer delay)
> 7secs
> 20secs
> 50secs
> 95secs
A. Burning behaviour (after flame and after glow time)
Ansell – Protection Solutions Guide
E. Small drops molten metal (number drops)
> 10
> 15
> 25
> 35
Contact heat resistance
30g
60g
120g
200g
Based on the temperature range F. Large quantity molten metal (mass)
(100-500°C) at which the user will
feel no pain for at least 15 seconds. If an EN level 3 or higher is obtained, the product shall record at least EN level 3 in the
EN511 – Cold protection
flammability test. Otherwise, the maximum Contact heat level shall be reported as level 2.
Performance Levels
0
1
2
3
4
Convective heat resistance
A. Convective cold
| < 0.10
0.10<|<0.15
0.15<|<0.22
0.22<|<0.30
0.30<|
Based on the length of time the glove is able
toinsulation
delay ITR
theintransfer
Thermal
m2. ºC/W of heat from a flame. A level of performance shall only be
mentioned if a performance level 3 or 4B.isContact
obtained
in the flammability test.
cold
Thermal resistance R in m2. ºC/W
R<0.025
0.025<R<0.050 0.050<R<0.100 0.100<R<0.150
0.150<R
Resistance to small splashes of molten
metal
C. Water penetration test
Fail
Pass
The number of molten metal drops required to heat the glove sample to a given level. A performance level shall only be
Note: 0 is the lowest rating while 4 is the highest.
mentioned if a performance level 3 or 4 is obtained in the flammability test.
EN421 – Radioactive contamination + ionizing radiation
Gloves protecting from direct contact with radio-active
substances.
Gloves protecting from direct contact with radiations
(X-ray, alpha-, beta-, gamma- or neutron radiations).
09-05