Characterization of protective gloves stiffness: Development of a ...

1036 L. Harrabi et al. / Safety Science 46 (2008) 1025–1036
test frame with limited requirements in terms of load capacity. Second, this method is non destructive, especially
since the glove is deformed only through a 10-mm course of the probe.
This new method should prove as a valuable tool for protective glove manufacturers in their search for
improving their product quality, allowing for the characterization of their existing products in terms of stiffness
and for the development of new ones better fitting workers’ needs. In addition, if adopted as a standard in
conjunction with a system of classification levels, this method will also have more direct positive repercussions
on workers, since it will permit the systematic rating of protective gloves versus a universal stiffness criterion,
thus allowing for an easier selection of the protective glove best fitted to the performed tasks.
Acknowledgement
This research has been supported by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du
travail (IRSST), Montréal, Canada.
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