WHITE CAP
Course 26, Level 1
Hand Protection Basics
Slide 1: Welcome
Thank you for your interest in Hand Protection Basics. The associate who successfully completes this
course will learn the common types of hand protection products and how to choose the right glove for a
particular job.
The course will familiarize associates with the rating systems used to identify cut resistance performance,
including the important distinction between European and American rating systems. The course will also
introduce a few trade-specific examples of hand protection products.
Slide 2: Features
Before we begin, let us point out a few features.
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your progress. You can click on a section or page to navigate back to it.
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comments or ask questions. Click on Resources to download the script and additional resources. Click on
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Slide 3: Recommended Connection
To ensure a successful connection as you complete the course, we recommend the following:
 Use a recommended Web browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.
 Use a wired broadband connection.
 Keep ALL windows associated with the course open. If a window opens in your browser as you’re
starting the course, leave it open.
 Close all other programs.
Slide 4: Course Progress
PLEASE NOTE: This program tracks your course progress so that you can save your session and return
at a later time. If you are presented with an error message while completing or exiting the course, please
email wctrade@hdsupply.com.
Slide 5: Course Agenda
This course is separated into four sections: Introduction to Hand Protection, Cut-Resistance Rating
Systems, Glove Selection, and Trade-Specific Products and Practices. We recommend that you take
notes while viewing this presentation to help you retain the information presented.
After each section, there will be a short learning check, or assessment. You’ll have to pass the
assessment before advancing to the next section.
Slide 6: Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to explain hand protection standards and rating systems.
You will know a range of common glove types and materials and better understand how to assist
contractors in selecting gloves for a given application.
By the end of this course, you will understand:
1. The reasons and requirements for hand protection, as well as basic glove types and materials.
2. The differences between European and American cut resistance rating systems, including testing
standards and labeling.
3. The factors involved in selecting the right glove for the job.
4. A few relevant examples of trade-specific hand protection needs.
SECTION 1: Introduction to Hand Protection
Slide 7
Contractors regularly come into contact with a variety of materials, chemicals and working conditions that
can cause serious bodily injury. Given the nature of their work, contractor’s hands are especially
vulnerable. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report on nonfatal occupational injuries for 2011, hand
injuries accounted for 13.9% of injuries involving days away from work.
While personal protection equipment cannot prevent all injuries, hand and finger injuries caused by cuts,
abrasion and punctures are among the more preventable. Gloves provide the critical protection that
contractors need to protect their hands on the jobsite.
Section 1 will describe the requirements for hand protection products, as well as basic glove types and
materials.
Slide 8: OSHA
Because gloves play a critical role in worker safety, various organizations test or regulate their
performance and use.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, standard 1910.138 supports the accepted
standards for hand protection on jobsites in the U.S. OSHA requires employers to select hand protection
products that are appropriate for the work to be performed, working conditions, duration of use and
identified hazards or potential hazards.
Potential hazards include:
•
•
•
•
Skin absorption of harmful substances
Severe cuts, lacerations, abrasions or punctures
Chemical or thermal burns
Harmful temperature extremes
Slide 9: ANSI/ISEA 105-2011
The American National Standard Institute, known as ANSI, and the International Safety Equipment
Association, ISEA, created the American National Standard for Hand Protection Selection Criteria,
ANSI/ISEA105. First published in 2000 and most recently updated in 2011, the standard lays out a
consistent, numeric-scale method for testing products against particular contaminants and exposures.
As a standardized system, the ANSI numeric rating scale helps workers make better-informed decisions
about which gloves are appropriate for specific workplace hazards based on five primary areas of
performance:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cut, puncture and abrasion resistance
Chemical permeation and degradation
Detection of holes
Vibration reduction
Heat and flame resistance
The ANSI/ISEA 105 rating system and its rigorous testing criteria will be discussed in detail in Section 2.
Slide 10: Standards: EN 388
Another rating system for glove performance is defined by the European standard EN 388. This standard
was created for European markets; however, it is common to find this rating system marked on many
gloves sold in the U.S.
EN 388 rates gloves for their performance in four tests:
1. Abrasion resistance
2. Blade cut resistance
3. Tear resistance
4. Puncture resistance
The EN 388 standard and its testing criteria will be discussed in detail in Section Two.
Slide 11: Glove Types and Materials - INTERACTION
Gloves come in a variety of materials according to their intended use on the jobsite. Gloves not only need
to protect hands against cuts and abrasions, they must also provide good dexterity and a solid grip. A cutresistant glove isn’t useful if it doesn’t have the flexibility and handling qualities that let the contractor
perform the task at hand.
Click on the tabs below to hear about different glove types and materials. Please note that the narration
will provide additional information to the text that is presented on the screen. This additional information is
available to download by using the Resources link at the top right.
Seamless Knit Gloves
New fiber technologies have led to major advances in hand protection products, creating gloves that are
highly cut resistant while also providing high dexterity. These advances include the development of a
category of products known as seamless knit gloves.
Seamless knit gloves are typically made from synthetic fiber such as aramid fiber, which is used to make
the trademarked product Kevlar, or high-performance polyethylene, known as HPPE. These synthetic
fibers can be anywhere from five to 15 times more resistant to abrasion than steel on an equal weight
basis. The gloves are often coated in latex, polyurethane or nitrile to provide water resistance and grip.
Seamless knit products not only are capable of providing excellent cut and abrasion resistance, they also
allow for exceptional dexterity compared to other gloves.
Leather Driver Gloves
Leather driver gloves are a popular hand protection product for general work applications. Leather
provides good flexibility and grip, as well as protection against heat caused by friction or abrasion;
however, it does not offer the level of cut and tear resistance recommended for certain applications, such
as when working with glass, steel or sheet metal.
Cotton Gloves
Cotton gloves usually fall into two categories: canvas woven and jersey knit. Both are used to make
general purpose gloves appropriate for light workloads. They provide some protection against abrasion
and provide little to no protection against cuts, punctures, burns and corrosive liquids. Cotton also lacks
adequate grip for many work processes.
Metal Mesh Gloves
Metal mesh gloves provide the highest level of cut resistance.
While metal mesh gloves protect against cuts and lacerations, they do not offer protection against
corrosive materials, punctures or burns.
Nylon Gloves
Synthetic fabrics such as nylon are used to make gloves that are light, breathable and flexible. Nylon
gloves offer better abrasion resistance than cotton or leather and are often antibacterial. Most nylon
gloves will have the palm and fingertips coated in a substance such as nitrile rubber, which augments
puncture resistance and adds grip.
Liquid- and Chemical-Resistant Gloves
Nitrile and PVC coatings can be applied to fabric and seamless knit products to provide additional liquid
and chemical resistance, as well as improve grip when working in wet conditions.
Gloves can also be made from 100% nitrile. Nitrile gloves are water resistant and provide protection
against chemicals, oils, acids and caustics. Other chemical-resistant materials used to make gloves
include PVC, latex, neoprene and, for work that involves highly toxic substances, butyl.
Slide 12: Terminology
Resistance to cuts, abrasion and punctures is a critical function of hand protection products.
•
Abrasion resistance refers to a glove’s ability to resist wear from scraping and continuous contact
with another material.
•
•
Puncture resistance refers to a glove’s ability to resist penetration by needle or nail-like objects.
Tear resistance is the glove material’s ability to resist tears as measured in Newtons of required
force. In practical applications, sheet metal does not cut but, rather, tears as it shifts in the
contractor’s hand. To prevent injury, the glove material needs to have adequate tensile strength
to protect the worker when grip fails.
•
Cut resistance refers to a glove’s ability to resist damage when a sharp-edged object, such as a
utility knife or glass edge, moves across its surface.
While cut-resistance technology has advanced significantly, as exemplified by the materials used to make
seamless knit gloves, no hand protection product is “cut proof.” When speaking of a glove’s ability to
withstand lacerations, it should always be discussed in terms of levels of cut resistance.
Cut resistance is also different from cut protection. Cut protection is the combination of factors that help
prevent a worker from being cut. This includes material properties such as cut resistance, tear resistance
and abrasion resistance, but factors such as grip and dexterity are also major factors. Cut protection is
also dependent on factors beyond personal protection equipment, such as machine guarding, working
conditions and worker training.
Slide 13: Section 1 Summary
This section explained the standards that apply to hand protection products, common glove types and
materials such as seamless knit, leather, cotton, metal mesh, nylon and liquid/chemical-resistant gloves
and terminology such as abrasion, puncture and cut resistance.
Slide 14: Section 1 Assessment
This short assessment will test your knowledge of hand protection standards and common glove types
and materials. You must correctly answer at least six of the eight questions to advance to Section 2. You
will receive feedback after answering each question.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, that’s OK. You will be directed to the beginning of the section
where you can review the concepts before re-attempting the assessment. Click Next to begin.
SECTION 2: Cut-Resistance Rating Systems
Slide 15
Section 2 will discuss the differences between the European and American resistance rating systems as
defined by EN 388 and ANSI/ISEA 105-2011, respectively. We’ll review the testing methods used for
both, as well as labeling.
Slide 16: EN 388
The European standard EN 388 rates gloves according to four criteria, which are indicated on the glove
with a CE marking, that is, a mark that indicates the product’s compliance with European Union
regulations.
The EN 388 CE marking uses a four-number labeling system that lists the sample glove’s test
performance in the following order:




Abrasion resistance, based on the number of cycles required to abrade through, or wear away,
the sample glove.
Blade cut resistance, based on the number of cycles required to cut through the sample at a
constant speed.
Tear resistance, based on the amount of force required to tear the sample.
Puncture resistance, based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a point.
Slide 17: EN 388 Labeling
EN 388-compliant gloves are rated on a scale of one to four for abrasion, tear and puncture resistance
and on a scale of one to five for cut resistance. The higher the number, the greater the protection.
For example, a glove marked as 4542 on the EN 388 scale rates 4 for abrasion resistance, 5 for blade cut
resistance, 4 for tear resistance and 2 for puncture resistance. This particular gloves thus rates at the
highest level on the EN 388 scale for abrasion resistance, cut resistance and tear resistance.
Gloves marked with the EN 388 rating system will feature the four-number rating under a symbol known
as the “mechanical risks” pictogram.
In some cases, the CE marking may indicate an X or O for a glove’s rating in a specific category. The X
indicates that the glove’s performance was not tested against the criteria in question. An O means that
the glove failed the test.
Slide 18: EN 388 Labeling
Some gloves will also be labeled with a CE marking for volume resistivity under standard EN 388. Volume
resistivity corresponds to the glove’s ability to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge. This is a pass or
fail test, rather than number rating, and the pictogram for volume resistivity will only appear on those
products that have passed the relevant test.
Slide 19: ANSI/ISEA 105-2011
The American system of rating hand protection products is prescribed by ANSI/ISEA 105-2011, which
tests glove performance in five areas:
1. Cut, puncture and abrasion resistance
2. Chemical permeation and degradation
3. Detection of holes
4. Vibration reduction
5. Heat and flame resistance
The gloves will be labeled for their performance on a scale of one to four for flame resistance; one to five
for cut, puncture and heat resistance; and one to six for abrasion and flame resistance. The higher the
number, the greater the sample glove’s performance.
Cut test methods are one of the major differences between the European and American hand protection
rating systems. Cut resistance ratings under the ANSI/ISEA standard are based on the results of a
specific test prescribed by the American Society for Testing and Materials called the Cut Protection
Performance Test, or CPPT, as described in ASTM F1790.
The cut protection performance test essentially tests the load required to cut through the glove sample in
a given distance. The sample glove is cut by a straight-edge blade in a straight line a minimum of 15
times, each time with a new blade so blade dulling is not a factor. The cut resistance is measured by the
load on the blade, in number of grams of force, necessary to cut through the material within 20 mm, or
approximately ¾”, of blade travel.
The glove’s performance level adheres to the chart seen here in which ANSI cut levels zero to five
correspond to grams of force applied during the test.
Slide 20: EN 388 Cut Test
In the EN 388-prescribed test method, called the “coup” test, a circular blade moves back and forth
across the sample until cut-through is achieved.
The European test method applies a fixed load to the blade of 500 grams of force.
Results of the EN 388 test are then calculated according to the number of blade revolutions needed to cut
through the material.
This calculation results in the sample’s average cut index, which, in turn, corresponds to a specific level
on the EN 388 cut-resistance scale.
Slide 21: Section 2 Summary
This section explained the cut test methods used to determine cut resistance ratings for hand protection
materials under the EN 388 and ASTM/ANSI standards.
We discussed the major differences between the two testing methods and their importance in determining
a glove’s ability to provide adequate protection.
Slide 22: Section 2 Assessment
This short assessment will test your knowledge of the European and American hand protection rating
systems and their corresponding testing methods. You must correctly answer at least eight of the 10
questions to advance to Section 3. You will receive feedback after answering each question.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, that’s OK. You will be directed to the beginning of the section
where you can review the concepts before re-attempting the assessment. Click Next to begin.
SECTION 3: Glove Selection
Slide 23
Section 3 will discuss the factors involved in glove selection, including intended application, proper fitting
and replacement schedules.
Slide 24: Questions to ask
When helping a customer select an appropriate glove type, associates should ask three questions:
1. What is the application? In other words, what kind of work will be done and what type of
materials and work conditions will be encountered?
2. How did you decide on that level of protection? This question is asked to ensure that a
contractor who is purchasing a specific performance level is selecting a glove that is best for its
intended use rather than for irrelevant factors such as color.
3. Which standard system are we using? If the customer comes in requesting a specific cut level,
it’s important to know whether they are referring to American or European system since, as
discussed in the last section, the performance levels are not equivalent.
Slide 25: Selection Criteria - INTERACTION
Choosing an appropriate glove is based on several factors. Click on the tabs below to advance.
Hazard Assessment
When deciding on the right glove for a given job, the type of hazards that may be encountered on the
jobsite is a primary determinant.
For instance, sheet metal contractors need to protect against slicing hazards, brick masons against
abrasive materials, and construction contractors need to wear gloves designed to protect their hands
against impact forces.
Cut/Tear/Abrasion Resistance Levels
After assessing the hazards, gloves should be selected according to the level of cut, tear and abrasion
resistance that a given type of work requires. For instance, the sheet metal contractor will need gloves
with a higher level of tear resistance and good grip. The masonry contractor will need gloves that are
resistant to abrasion, and the demolition contractor will need impact-reducing gloves.
Type of Material
Material selection refers not only to the material used for the glove but, also, the materials that will be
handled by a specific worker. For example, gloves required by framing contractors working with nail guns
and lumber will be different from those necessary for a waterproofing contractor applying a hot liquid
asphalt emulsion.
Duration of Contact
The amount of time the gloves will be exposed to certain hazards is another determinant in glove
selection. Those hazards include heat, cold, corrosive substances and chemicals.
Amount of Coverage Required
For those trades where protection is required above the wrist, protective equipment in the form of
extended cuffs or sleeves should be worn to protect forearms and upper arms from specific hazards.
Grip
A glove that provides good grip significantly reduces the chance of injury and damage. Good grip
prevents materials from slipping, decreases the grip force required by the contractor during a task and
provides the user with greater control.
Thermal Protection
Some materials and work conditions will expose contractor’s hands to extreme temperatures for extended
periods of time and thus call for hand protection products that can resist those conditions, such as
insulated, waterproof gloves for cold work environments or insulated welder’s gloves for extreme heat.
Specialized Products
Some trades and processes have specialized hand protection needs. For example, electrical contractors
require gloves and sleeves designed to protect against high-voltage and arc flash hazards. For
contractors working in cold environments, hot spot gloves are designed to work with touch-screen devices
so contractors can keep their gloves on and their hands warm while working. Disposable latex and nitrile
gloves provide chemical-resistant protection and exceptional dexterity for detailed work across diverse
trades, including concrete finishing, cabinet finishing, and painting and caulk applications.
Slide 26
Glove Sizing
When fitting gloves, hands should be measured for both length and hand size.
Length is measured from the tip of the middle finger to the point on the wrist or arm where the cuff should
end.
Size is measured by wrapping a tape measure around the palm of the hand at the widest point.
This measurement in inches corresponds to glove size, where Small is 7 to 8 inches, Medium is 8 to 9
inches, Large is 9 to 10 inches and Extra Large is 10 to 11 inches.
Slide 27
Glove Care, Damage and Replacement
Certain glove materials, such as seamless knit products made with HPPE, will remain in working
condition for much longer than less durable materials like cotton or leather. However, all gloves will begin
to show wear with extended use, even when used properly.
Chemical- and water-resistant gloves should be checked regularly for pinholes and cracks. This can be
done by filling the gloves with water and rolling the cuff toward the fingers, applying increasingly higher
pressure on the glove material. Gloves should also be checked for dryness, brittleness and discoloration.
Many gloves made from synthetic fabrics and fibers and most metal mesh gloves can be washed to
remove bacteria and corrosive substances that affect the usable life of the glove.
If there is any degradation, cuts, holes or other damage to the glove material, or if gloves show extensive
wear or lose effective grip or dexterity, they should be replaced.
Slide 28: Section 3 Summary
This section explained:
• The factors involved in choosing the right glove for the job
• How to fit and size gloves
• Glove care and replacement
Slide 29: Section 3 Assessment
This short assessment will test your knowledge of the factors involved in glove selection, fitting and care.
You must correctly answer at least eight out of 10 questions to advance to Section 4. You will receive
feedback after answering each question.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, that’s OK. You will be directed to the beginning of the section
where you can review the concepts before re-attempting the assessment. Click Next to begin.
SECTION 4: Trade-Specific Hand Protection
Slide 30
Section 4 will cover a few examples of trade-specific hand protection products.
Slide 31: Trade-Specific Hand Protection - INTERACTION
Trade-Specific Products
Click on the grey tabs on the left to hear about different trade-specific hand protection products. Please
note that the narration will provide additional information to the text that is presented on the screen. This
additional information is available to download by using the Attachments link at the top right.
Concrete
Fresh concrete and cement mixtures are strongly basic, with pH levels of 12 to 13 and thus capable of
causing serious burns to exposed skin. In addition, the sand in concrete mixtures is abrasive to exposed
skin.
To protect their hands, concrete contractors typically wear waterproof, chemical-resistant gloves that
enable good grip in wet conditions and feature adequate abrasion resistance.
Masonry
Masonry contractors regularly work with abrasive materials including brick, stone, concrete block and
mortar. They typically wear gloves that feature high abrasion resistance and protect hands from exposure
to wet masonry cement.
If working with metal flashings, steel reinforcing and veneer ties, masonry contractors should select
gloves that will also protect hands against these cut and tear hazards.
Welding
Welding contractors need to protect their hands against numerous work-related dangers, including burns,
sparks, heats, cuts, scratches and electric shock. ANSI standard Z49.1, which prescribes safety
measures for welding and cutting including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), requires welders to
wear flame-resistant gloves, such as insulated leather welder's gloves when performing their work.
Acids/Chemicals
Workers who work with chemicals, acids, solvents, caustics and other corrosive substances typically wear
gloves made from chemical-resistant, waterproof materials such as neoprene or PVC. These gloves will
often feature an extended wrist or knit wrist to help keep substances from getting inside the glove when
working.
To prevent acid or chemical burns it is extremely important to inspect chemical-resistant gloves prior to
each use. Even if a chemical or acid-resistant glove is checked and found to have no holes, it must also
be checked for degradation of material. Prolonged exposure to chemicals and acids will cause glove
material to degrade, compromising its ability to provide adequate protection.
Automotive/Mechanical
Contractors working in the automotive and mechanical industries typically require gloves with excellent
dexterity and chemical-resistant properties. Gloves also provide general hand protection against the
scrapes and scratches that commonly occur when working with mechanical equipment in confined
spaces.
High-Voltage
Electrical insulating gloves are required for contractors working within three feet of an energized circuit of
50 volts or more.
Insulated gloves are categorized into classifications based on their approved voltage levels and
designated by color-coded tags found on the gloves. Because even minor damage to insulated gloves
can compromise their ability to protect the wearer, this type of glove should be inspected for damage and
undergo the OSHA-required air test before each use. High voltage gloves must be re-certified every six
months.
Anti-Vibration
Anti-vibration gloves are designed to absorb vibration and shock that comes from prolonged use of power
tools. Typically padded products, these gloves are intended to steady hands and reduce hand-arm
vibration syndrome, known commonly as “white finger syndrome,” an industrial injury that affects the
blood vessels, nerves, muscles and joints of the hand, wrist and arm.
Measurements have called into question the actual effectiveness of anti-vibration personal protective
products in reducing vibration’s effects on the body; however, gloves worn to protect hands in cold
temperatures may reduce the initial sensation of numbness associated with white finger syndrome.
Steel Contractors
Steel erectors work with steel members, often at elevated heights, and need gloves with impact-resistant
design to protect against busted knuckles and scrapes. Impact-resistant gloves typically provide adequate
flexibility for gripping steel members and tools, as well as abrasion resistance. Some gloves also feature
high-visibility materials that make hands easier to see when the steel contractor signals to a crane
operator.
Wood Framing
Wood framing contractors need hand protection that allows for the operation of various power-operated
tools and enough flexibility and grip to use a carpenter’s pencil or pick up a stray nail. To cover this broad
range of needs, a high-dexterity glove is typically a good choice.
For general labor, such as carrying lumber or landscaping, a heavy-duty leather drivers glove or leather
work glove is suitable.
MEP
Contractors in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing industries are increasingly choosing to use
seamless knit gloves for hand protection due to their excellent cut resistance, thermal protection, grip and
high dexterity.
Slide 32: Section 4 Summary
This section explained the hand protection products appropriate for several specific trade groups, such as
concrete, masonry and welding, acids and chemicals, automotive and mechanical, high-voltage and antivibration, and the steel, wood and MEP trades.
Slide 33: Section 4 Assessment
This short assessment will test your knowledge of the trade-specific requirements and products discussed
in this section. You must correctly answer at least eight out of 10 questions. You will receive feedback
after answering each question.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, that’s OK. You will be directed to the beginning of the section
where you can review the concepts before re-attempting the assessment. Click Next to begin.
Slide 34: Congratulations
Congratulations! You have completed Hand Protection Basics. Before you go, there are a few things
we’d like to share with you.
Slide 35: Course Summary
In this course you learned common glove types and the materials they use. You learned the American
and European standards that rate hand protection product performance, as well as the similarities and
differences between the test methods used by each. You also learned the basic factors involved in glove
selection and several industry examples of trade-specific hand protection requirements and preferences.
Slide 36: Recap
You should now be able to:
1. Describe the reasons and requirements for hand protection, as well as basic glove types and
materials.
2. Explain the differences between European and American cut-resistance rating systems, including
testing standards and labeling.
3. Identify the factors that should be considered when selecting the right glove for the job.
4. Recognize products that meet the hand protection needs of select trade groups.
Slide 51: Thank You!
Thank you for your time. Our core value is customer service. By improving our overall understanding of
the businesses in which our customers work, we can better help them achieve success. Close this
program by clicking Exit at the top right.