LA Safety Catalogue - Issue 6

GUIDE TO HAND PROTECTION STANDARDS
EUROPEAN STANDARDS FOR PPE
The European Directive 89/686/EEC on PPE is in process of being superseded by a new PPE Regulation (EU)
2016/425. The new Regulation, that introduces revisions in several PPE standards such as EN 388 and EN 374, was
published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 31st March 2016 and will be applied from 21st April
2018. Our new and existing gloves may not be certified according to this new Regulation until 21st April 2018.
The existing certificates according to the Directive will remain valid until 21st April 2023.
CE CATEGORY
European Directive 89/686/EEC
CAT I
CAT II
CAT III
Minor Risk
Reversible Risks (injury), certified compliant by a notified body.
Irreversible Risks certified compliant by a notified body. Also subject to ongoing
surveillance by a notified body whose number is specified.
GUIDE TO HAND PROTECTION STANDARDS
EN 388: 2003
Mechanical risks
a b c d
This standard applies to all kinds of protective gloves in respect of physical and mechanical
aggressions caused by abrasion, blade cut, puncture and tearing. Protection against mechanical
hazards is expressed by a pictogram followed by four numbers (performance levels), each
representing test performance against a specific hazard.
a) RESISTANCE TO ABRASION Based on the number of cycles required to abrade through the sample
given.
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.
d) PUNCTURE RESISTANCE Based on the amount of force required to pierce the sample with a
standard sized point.
In all cases, (0) indicates the lowest level of performance, as follows:
EN388 TEST PERFORMANCE LEVEL RATING:
0 1 2 3 4 5
a. Abrasion resistance (cycles) < 100 100 500 2000 8000
b. Blade cut resistance (factor) < 1.2 1.2 2.5 5.0 10.0 20.0
c. Tear resistance (newton) < 10 10 25 50 75
d. Puncture resistance (newton) < 20 20 60 100 150
These performance levels must be prominently displayed alongside the pictogram on the
packaging which immediately contains the gloves.
HAND PROTECTION
EN420
General requirements
and test methods
• Technical information*
• Glove markings
• Sizes
• Level of dexterity (1 to 5)
• Innocuousness of the glove
* Printed on the packaging or on the
user instruction. For further details,
contact your distributor or visit our
website www.globus.co.uk
Glove designation
The CE mark
Identification of manufacturer
SKYTEC
NINJA LITE
9/L
98/0120
Size
Approved
body number
EN 388: 2016
Mechanical risks
a b c d e f
REVISION OF EN 388: 2003
The EN 388 standard underwent revision in 2016. Our gloves are in the process of being recertified
by the notified bodies to conform to the revised standard. Currently reported ISO 13997 cut
resistance values are indications until officially certified. In the meantime the existing certificates
according to EN 388: 2003 remain valid.
a) ABRASION RESISTANCE (0-4)
Number of cycles required to abrade a hole using abrasive paper in a circular sample of glove
material under constant pressure and motion.
b) BLADE CUT RESISTANCE BY COUP TEST (0-5)
Number of cycles required to cut a sample using a stainless steel circular blade under constant
speed and low force of 5 newton (approx. 510g). For materials that dull the blade, after a certain
number of cycles without cut through, the ISO 13997 test is performed and becomes the reference
cut resistance value.
c) TEAR RESISTANCE (0-4)
Force required to propagate a tear in a rectangular sample of a glove with a starting incision, to a
maximum force of 75N (approx. 7,6kg).
d) PUNCTURE RESISTANCE (0-4)
Force required to puncture the sample with a standard size steel point at a constant speed of 10 cm/min.
e) BLADE CUT RESISTANCE BY ISO TEST (A-F)
Force in newton (N) required to cut through a sample using a rectangular blade in a specified cut
test machine such as Tomodynamometer (TDM). This test is optional unless the blade in Coup test
becomes dull, whereupon it becomes the reference for cut resistance. A letter value is assigned as
follows:
Level of Protection A B C D E F
Force in newton > 2 ≥5 ≥10 ≥15 ≥22 ≥30
f) IMPACT RESISTANCE (P)
For protective gloves claiming impact resistance. Measures dissipation of force by the area of
protection upon an impact of a domed anvil at an impact energy of 5 joules. Testing is carried out
in accordance with the impact protection test for motorcycle protective gloves of EN 13594:2015
standard. A letter “P” is added on successful pass, while a fail remains unmarked. Level X can also be
applied for a – f above, which means “not tested”.
Level of Protection A B C D E
Abrasion resistance (number of cycles) >100 ≥500 ≥2000 ≥8000 -
Blade cut resistance by Coup test (index) >1,2 ≥2,5 ≥5 ≥10 ≥20
Tear resistance (force in newton) >10 ≥25 ≥50 ≥75 -
Puncture resistance (force in newton) >20 ≥60 ≥100 ≥150 -
201 202