TYPES OF GLOVES

Generally, gloves may be divided into two categories:
1. Synthetic gloves.
- By design:
• With support, using as support materials such as cotton, nylon…which is then covered with synthetic material (usually latex, nitrile,and polyurethane).
• Without support, introducing directly into the glove to mould the synthetic material (nitrile, latex, neoprene… ).

- For the materials used:
• Gloves made of latex. nitrile, PVC ...

2. Leather gloves.
- By design: American type gloves, driving type,welding type…
- For the materials used:
• Full grain Leather: Using the outside of the skin (greater comfort and dexterity).
• Full grain Leather: Using the outside of the skin (greater comfort and dexterity).

DEFINITIONS

- Hand: Part of the body from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist.
- Glove: PPE intended to protect the hand or any part thereof against risks.
- Risk: Unwanted situation that can cause damage to the health of the worker.
- Palm of the glove: The part of the glove that covers the palm of the hand.
- Back of the glove: The part of the glove that covers the back of the hand.
- Dexterity: Measurement of the movement capacity to carry out work. It is related to the thickness, elasticity and deformability of the glove.
- Level of provision: The number of the value obtained in the corresponding test according to the specified standard.

THE MATERIALS

- Fibres such as cotton, for general applications which provide comfort, breathability and resistance to abrasion.
- Synthetic Materials such as nylon (abrasion and tearing), PVC (abrasion and chemicals such as fats, oils and alcohols), Neoprene (heat and chemicals).
- Leather (Full grain and split), comfortable and breathable material that provides good mechanical properties (especially against abrasion and tearing).
- Coatings.
• Latex. Comfort, flexibility and dexterity. Resistance to aqueous chemicals. Excellent grip and good abrasion resistance.
• Polyurethane. Elasticity, abrasion resistance and voltage. Resistant to alcohols, hydrocarbons, and solvents. Very good grip, good abrasion resistance and breathability.
• Nitrile. Synthetic Rubber resistant to oils, lubricants and petroleum products. Good mechanical strength and puncture resistant. Very resistant to chemicals.

GLOVE MARKS

CHOICE OF GLOVE

1º When choosing the right type of glove, it is important to take into account the place where it is to be used, the work to be carried out, (size of the pieces, their weight, precision work, ...) and the main risks to be guarded against based on their importance ( electrical risks, chemical risks, heat risks, mechanical risks...) choosing the level of provision suitable for each risk. Other factors to bear in mind are the surroundings ( inside / outside...etc.)

2º Identify the size of the user: Check your size.
The choice of size is very important not only for comfort, ergonomics and protection of the user, but also with regard to the proper execution of the tasks. A bad choice of size can be the cause of less precise work.
(inefficiency ) and greater risk (mistakes...) and a longer time exposed to risk in taking longer to complete the job.
Work gloves, as with the rest of Personal Protection Equipment, are classified in three categories:
  • Category 1: Gloves which, due to their simple design, the user can judge for himself their efficiency against minimal risks and whose effects, when they are gradual, can be perceived in time and without danger to the user: superficial mechanical damage, maintenance products whose effects are easily reversible, shocks and vibrations which do not affect vital parts...

    • These gloves should surpass the EN420, the harmonized standard that governs the minimum requirements for work gloves:
    dexterity, Ph, chrome content, size, safety,...

    • The marking for gloves under category 1, is:
    - Identification of the manufacturer or agent (logo, NIF…)
    - Reference or model.
    - Size.
    - CE marking.
  • Category 2:

    Gloves intended to avoid all types of risks that do not result in serious injury or death (intermediate risks).

    • These gloves should surpass, in addition to EN420, the harmonized standard, governing the risk against which, this glove is recommended.

    • The markings for gloves under category 2, is:
    - Identification of the manufacturer or agent.
    - Pictogram of the risk against which it is recommended.
    - Levels of resistance.
    - Model or reference.
    - Size.
    - Pictogram relating to the informative pamphlet.
    - CE marking.

    • Conformity with the standard must be subjected to independent testing and certification by a Notified Body, whom then issues a CE marking showing the glove’s protective capacities.

  • Category 3:

    Gloves to protect the user from the risk of mortal danger or that which could cause serious and irreversible injury if the immediate effect is not discovered in time.
    These gloves should surpass, in addition to the EN420, the harmonized standard which regulates the risk against which these gloves are recommended.
    The markings for gloves under category 3, is:
    - Identification of the manufacturer or agent.
    - Pictogram of the risk against which it is recommended.
    - Levels of resistance.
    - Model or reference.
    - Size.
    - Pictogram relating to the informative pamphlet.
    - CE marking plus the identification number of the Control Organization charged with CE quality control during the production phase.
    • They should be certified by a Notified Body and the manufacturer should adopt one of the CE quality guarantee systems.
    regulated for sale in accordance with R.D.1407 / 1992.

Pictogram Standard Description
EN 388 Mechanical risk. Abrasion, Cut, tear and puncture.
Maximum performance level: 4 (except that cut that is level 5).
EN 374 Chemical risk.
- EN374-2 resistance to penetration (micro-organisms)
- EN374-3 Permeability resistance.
(Levels of performance achieved against a series of specific substances and identified by a letter - at least reaching performance level 2 against 3 substances from this table-such as methanol (A), acetone (B)...).
EN 407 Thermal Risks (Temperature between 50 ° C and 100 ° C) thermal risk. Flammability, heat by contact, convective heat, radiant heat, Small splashes of molten metal,
Large masses of molten metals.
EN 511 Cold Risks (up to - 50 ° C). Convective cold, cold contact, impermeability to water.
EN 12477 Welding Risks. There are two types of classification. Type A and Type B. For standards EN 388 (mechanical risks) and EN 407 (heat risks) and pass minimum levels for each of the standards. These levels and the dexterity will give the type of glove. Generally, Type B gloves are recommended where a high level of dexterity is required (such as TIG welding).
EN 1082-1 Risks of by cuts and punctures caused by hand knives.
EN 60903 Electrical hazard. These are classified into 6 classes according to the maximum working voltage.

Class Test voltage Maximum working voltage
00 2.500V 500V
0 5.000V 1.000V
1 10.000V 7.500V
2 20.000V 17.000V
3 30.000V 26.500V
4 40.000V 36.000V
Protective clothing, as with Personal Protection Equipment classified as:
  • Category 1:

    Workwear which, due to its simple design, the user may choose for himself the suitability against minimal risks, and whose effects , when they are gradual, may be noticed in time and without danger to the user, such as, for example, normal wear and tear or atmospheric agents that are not exceptional nor extreme.

    • This workwear should surpass EN13688, the harmonized standard which governs the most minimum requirements for Workwear to comply with, shrinkage due to washing, designation of sizes, labelling, physiological, colour fastness. These must be consistent with surpass, besides EN13688, the harmonized standard that covers the risk for which it is intended.

    EN14058: Protective clothing for cold environments (between -5ºC and 10ºC).

    EN343: Bad weather protective clothing.

    • The markings for these garments under Category 1 are:
    - Identification of the manufacturer or agent.
    - Model or reference.
    - Size.
    - CE marking.
    - Care Instructions
    - Composition.

  • Category 2:

    Workwear destined to protect the user against intermediate risks of all types that would not be the cause of very serious injury or death.

    • These garments have be consistent with overcome, in addition to those of EN13688, the harmonized standard to regulate the risk against which it is recommended for example:

    EN342: Protective clothing against cold designed to protect against ambient temperatures -5ºC and -50ºC.
    EN11611: Protective clothing to be worn during welding and similar processes.
    EN11612: Protective clothing for workers exposed to heat (temperature less than 100ºC).
    EN20471: High visibility protective clothing.
    EN1149: Antistatic protective clothing.

    • The marking that these articles should carry is the same as category 1, adding the corresponding risk pictogram and its levels of resistance.

  • Category 3:

    Clothing designed to protect the wearer from mortal danger or injury that is serious and irreversible if its effect is not detected in time. This clothing should be consistent with, in addition to EN 13688, the harmonized standard which regulates the risk against which these garments are recommended:
    EN13034 Limited Protective clothing against liquid chemical products (Type 6).
    EN13982-1 Limited Chemical Protection against solid suspended particles (Type 5).
    EN14605 Protective clothing with hermetic sealing against powders (Type 4).
    EN14605 Clothing for protection against liquid chemicals (Type 3).
    EN1073-2 Non-ventilated protective clothing against radioactive particulates.
    EN14126 Protective clothing against biological agents.
    EN14116 Protective clothing for use against heat and flames (limited flame propagation).
    EN61482 Protective clothing for use against electric arc.

    The marking that these garments require is the same as that of Category 2, but adding to the CE marking, the identification number of the Notified Control Organization charged with CE quality control in the production phase.

    They should be certified by a Notified Body and the manufacturer adopt one of the CE quality guarantee systems regulated for sale in accordance with R.D.1407 / 1992.

Table of measurements and sizes

JACKETS - PARKAS
SIZE S M L XL XXL
Chest (cm) 88-96 96-104 104-112 112-120 120-128
Height (cm) 152-158 158-170 170-182 182-194 194-200
TROUSERS
SIZE S M L XL XXL
Waist (cm) 72-76 76-84 84-92 92-100 100-108
Height (cm) 152-158 158-170 170-182 182-194 194-200

Table of measurements and sizes

TOPS - WINDBREAKERS - JACKETS
SIZE 48(S) 50(M) 52(M) 54(L) 56(L) 58(XL) 60(XL) 62(XXL) 64(XXL) 66 68 70
Chest (cm) 92-96 96-100 100-104 104-108 108-112 112-116 116-120 120-124 124-128 128-132 132-136 136-140
Height (cm) 152-158 158-164 164-170 170-176 176-182 182-188 188-194 194-200 194-200 194-200 194-200 194-200
TROUSERS
SIZE 38(S) 40(M) 42(M) 44(L) 46(L) 48(XL) 50(XL) 52(XXL) 54(XXL) 56(XXXL) 58(XXXL)
Waist (cm) 72-76 76-80 80-84 84-88 88-92 92-96 96-100 100-104 104-108 108-112 112-116
Height (cm) 152-158 158-164 164-170 170-176 176-182 182-188 188-194 194-200 194-200 194-200 194-200
SHIRTS
SIZE 37/38(S) 39/40(M) 41/42(L) 43/44(XL) 45/46(XL) 47/48(XXL) 49/50 51/52
Chest (cm) 96-100 100-104 104-108 108-112 112-116 116-120 120-124 124-128
Height (cm) 158-164 164-170 170-176 176-182 182-188 188-194 194-200 194-200
WETSUITS - VESTS - WIND BREAKERS - PARKAS - POLOS - SHIRTS - JERSEYS - SWEATERS
SIZE S M L XL XXL
Chest (cm) 84-92 92-100 100-108 108-116 116-124
Height (cm) 164-170 170-176 176-182 182-188 188-194
Below we list the different standards followed by our various footwear models.
  • EN20345 for safety footwear for professional use: CLASSIFICATION I (Footwear made with leather and other materials)
    SB: Footwear with safety stop (interior toe) resistant to 200 J.
    S1: SB + Closed heel area + Antistatic + Energy absorption in the heel area.
    S2: S1 + Resistance to penetration and water absorption.
    S1P: S1 + Resistance to sole penetration (P).
    S3: S2 + Resistance to sole penetration (P) + sole with reinforcement.

    CLASSIFICATION II (all rubber or all polymeric shoes, such as rain boots)
    SB: Footwear with safety stop (interior toe) resistant to 200 J.
    S4:SB + Antistatic + Energy absorption in the heel area.
    S5: S4 + Resistance to sole penetration (P) + sole with reinforcement.

    New requirements in the EN20345 standard for slip resistance:
    SRA: Slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with sodium lauryl sulfate.
    SRB: Slip resistance on steel floors with glycerin.
    SRC: SRA + SRB.

  • EN20347 for safety footwear for professional use: CLASSIFICATION I (Footwear made with leather and other materials)
    0B: Fundamental properties.
    01: 0B + Closed heel area + Antistatic + Energy absorption in the heel area.
    02: 01 + Resistance to water penetration.
    03: 02 + Resistance to sole penetration (P) + sole with reinforcement.

    CLASSIFICATION II (all rubber or all polymeric shoes, such as rain boots)
    0B: Fundamental properties.
    04: OB + Antistatic footwear + Energy absorption in the heel area.
    05: 04 + Resistance to penetration + sole with reinforcement.

SYMBOLOGY

Resistant to 200 J Antiperforation insole Antistatic footwear Water repellent Resistant to oil Resistant to hydrocarbons Shock absorbing Anti-slip sole Reinforced toe Heat resistance Cold resistance

Footwear label

Metal Free

  • Our METAL FREE footwear is designed following the requirements of EN20345 for safety footwear by not using any metallic components in its structure, seeking a high level of comfort that doesn’t sacrifice its capacity for protection.

    The safety stop is composite (composite resin) or fiberglass, making it lighter and nonmagnetic, regaining its form after impact thus facilitating removal of the foot. The anti-perforation insole made from the same type of material or state-of-the-art anti-slipping fabrics, as well as lightness and thermal insulation, achieves great flexibility and great torque and also covers a larger area of the foot.

European Standard

This type of PPE is classified under category III which includes complex design equipment intended to protect against all life-threatening danger or that which may cause serious and irreversible damage to one’s health. Therefore the manufacturer must draw up an EC declaration of conformity after a notified body has issued an EC certificate and performed controls on production.

General Requirements:
Requirements applicable to all PPE: Ergonomics, Safety, Comfort and Effectiveness.

Complementary Requirements:
When PPE incorporate adjustment systems, they must be made so that, once adjusted, they cannot (under normal use) be readjusted regardless of the user’s will.

_Standard EN353-2 Sliding anti-fall devices with flexible anchor line.
_Standard EN354 Lanyards.
_Standard EN355 Energy absorbers.
_Standard EN358 Epis for clamping in working position and prevention of falls at high altitude. Belts for work positioning and restraint and work positioning lanyards. Applicable to equipment designed to keep users in their working position (fastening) and prevent them from getting to a point where they could fall at altitude (restraint). A fastening or retaining system should be used for fall arresting.
_Standard EN360 Retractable type fall arresters.
_Standard EN361 Fall arresting harnesses.
_Standard EN362 Connectors.
_Standard EN363 This standard specifies the terminology and general requirements for fall protection systems used as PPE against falls from height. The must be designed and manufactured with a high level of protection that does not generate risks, is easy to install, lightweight and without poor adjustment, and that facilitates correct positioning after stoppage.
_Standard EN813 Suspension Work.
_Marked
CE mark (when dealing with personal protective equipment in category 3) followed by the number of the authorized control body.
Manufacturer’s name. Device model. Serial or batch number. Month and year of manufacture. Manufacturing materials.
_Instructions for use
Name and address of manufacturer or distributor. Model.
Instructions for storage, cleaning and maintenance. Other indications that the manufacturer deems appropriate.
_Maintenance
According to the standard EN365 each piece of equipment must be reviewed by the user visually prior to each use to check for possible defects. The life of STEELPRO equipment is approximately five years, always depending on the conditions of use and maintenance (daily use, sun exposure, rubbing against edges and other devices, transportation... etc. shorten the life of the equipment).
An annual review is to be conducted by the manufacturer following the date of first use, and they should be replaced 5 years from the date of manufacture or date of first use.
For annual reviews the cost, transportation... should always be compared to the cost of purchasing a new product (with greater guarantees on new and unused equipment) and that with a more recent manufacture date. Due to the current cost of equipment it is often more advisable from a cost perspective, and especially one of safety, to replace equipment with new ones.

SYMBOLOGY

Sternal
hook
Dorsal
hook
Positioning
hook
Seat
hook
hitch rise according to EN361 in combination with EN353-1

European Standard

_European standards of reference
EN352-1 Earmuffs
EN352-2 Plugs
EN352-3 Earmuffs attached to helmet
EN352-4 Earmuffs depending on level

All hearing protectors belong to category II of PPE classification.

_Evaluation of Noise Exposure
A worker’s daily exposure to noise equivalent, equivalent daily level, expressed in dB(A), as calculated and referring to 8 hours daily. In workplaces where the daily equivalent level exceeds 80 dB(A), the employer must provide hearing protectors to exposed workers. In workplaces where the daily equivalent level and the peak level exceeds 85 dB(A), all workers must use hearing protectors, the mandatory use of which is stated under R.D. 1316/89.

_Rating of sound attenuation
The rating methods are contained in the ISO 4869 standard: The Octave Band method specifies eight values of attenuation in decibels in eight different frequencies: 63 125 250 1000 2000 4000 6000 8000. Protection assumed values (APVf) are minimum attenuation values of each frequency in question. These values are obtained by subtracting, for each reference considered, the average attenuation of the protector in High (H) and Low (L) frequencies.

The HML method specifies three values of attenuation in decibels determined using the attenuation per octave band of the protector. The HML letters represent the average attenuation of the protector in High (H), Middle (M) and Low (L) frequencies.

The SNR method specify a single value for each attenuation, the Simplified Reduction of the Sound Level. The SNR value indicates the average attenuation of the protector in all frequency bands.
HML and SNR values are not derived from an arithmetic mean of the protection values assumed in measuring octave bands, rather they are derived from the application of logarithmic forms specified in the ISO 4869 standard.

_Selection and use
Avoid over protection: avoid choosing protectors that provide too much noise attenuation because they can lead to problems of communication or be less comfortable, meaning the time the user wears them will be reduced.

Comfort: the most effective protector is one that is used continuously. Therefore they should be as comfortable as possible. Thus the user is encouraged to wear them throughout their exposure to noise, a determining factor for real protection. The protector should be chosen by the user.

Protector type: plugs are preferred in high temperature environments and those with large accumulation of dust, whereas in situations of repeated exposure to short-term noise it is preferable to use ear muffs or plugs with harnesses as their placement and removal is faster.

European Standard

_European standards of reference

EN 397 Safety Helmets for Industry.
EN 812 Industrial shockproof hats.
EN 12492 Helmets for mountaineers.

All equipment falls under category II (medium or high risk level) of the PPE classification, except for electrical hazard certifications according to EN 50365 that fall under category III.

European Standard EN 397 specifies the physical performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements for protective helmets for industry. The mandatory requirements apply to helmets for general use in industry. Additional requirements of optional compliance are included to apply only when specifically required by the manufacturer of the helmet.

_Physical requirements

The helmet must include at least one cap and a harness.
For those parts of the helmet coming into contact with the skin, materials that are known to cause skin irritation or adverse effects on health should not be used.

Those parts of the helmet, its accessories or attachment elements that are in contact with the user or are likely to be when the helmet is being used must not have sharp or protruding edges or roughness that may cause harm to the user.

Any element of the helmet that can be adjusted or removed by the user for replacement thereof must be designed and manufactured as to facilitate adjustment, attachment and removal without the use of tools.

Any fitting system built into the helmet must be designed and built to prevent incorrect adjustment without the user’s knowledge, in the foreseeable conditions of use.

Shockproof industrial hats serve to protect the wearer’s head when the head against collisions with hard, stationary objects causing lacerations and other superficial wounds including dizziness. Shockproof hats offer no protection against the effect of falling or thrown objects, moving or suspended loads.

An industrial shockproof hat should not be confused with an industrial protection helmet according to EN 397.

European Standard

_European standards of reference

EN166 Individual eye protection. Requirements.
EN169 Filter for welding and related techniques.
EN170 UV filters.
EN171 Infrared filters.
EN172 Filters for solar protection in the workplace.
EN175 Eye and face protection equipment during welding and similar techniques.
EN207 Protective filters and glasses for laser radiation.
EN208 Protective glasses for work on lasers and laser system adjustment work.
EN379 Automatic filters for welding.

All eye protectors and filters fall under category II of PPE classification, except for the following which fall under category III:
- Filters or protectors for hot environments (equal to or greater than 100°)
- Against ionizing radiation.
- Against electrical hazards.
- Against laser radiation.

Marking
The marking helps to identify the risk against which the eye protector has been certified. It is a code consisting of one letter and numbers indicating the specifications of protection.
The first number indicates the type of protection from optical radiation:
2. Ultraviolet
3. Ultraviolet without color alteration
4. Infrared
5. Sunlight
6. Sunlight with specific protection against infrared rays

The second number indicates the level of protection in accordance with the risk expressed in the first.
One number indicates the degree of protection against various types of welding (from 1.2 to 16).
The letter in parentheses indicates the manufacturer. The next number indicates the optical class (1 to 3, where 1 indicates the best optical quality).
The last letter indicates the level of mechanical strength.

Letters Protector type
S = Increased Mechanical strength Any
F = Low energy impact Any
B = Medium energy impact Full rimmed glasses or face shield
A = High energy impact Face shield

Example of marking model 2188-GNV - Marking 5 (M)1F. Where 5 indicates the degree of welding protection 5, (M) indicates the manufacturer’s logo (Labor Protection Brand), 1 the optical class and F indicates the mechanical resistance (low energy impact).

Types of eye protection

Rimmed glasses, glasses with full rim, welding glasses, face shields, welding screens: hand, head, coupled to helmet...

European Standard

_European standards of reference

EN149 Self-filtering protective masks against particles.
EN405 Self-filtering protective masks against gases or gases and particles.
EN140 Semi-masks.
EN136 Masks.
EN141 Filters for gases and mixed filters.
EN146 Filtering devices against particles with assisted ventilation.
EN13794 Autonomous breathing apparatus with closed-circuit for evacuation.

All equipment falls under category III (risk of death or serious injury) of PPE classification. To determine the selection of the mask and/or filter, you must know: The contaminant, its concentration and toxicity, the TLV value of nominal protection of the protector, the protection factor required.

_TLV or Occupational Exposure
Level The maximum concentration of a substance contained in the air, calculating the average over a period of 40 hours per week during which, based on current knowledge, a worker can be exposed day after day without a probable health risk.

_Nominal Protection Factor
The relationship between the concentration of a pollutant in the environment and possible contamination of the inside of the mask. It is calculated from the value of maximum permissible internal leakage (%), which is obtained for any equipment via a standardized test.

_Required Protection Factor: the ratio between the average pollutant concentration in the workplace and the TLV.

Dividing the average pollutant concentration in the workplace by the TLV for this pollutant, the required protection factor is obtained. The right equipment must provide a nominal protection factor greater than the factor of protection required. Example:

Contaminant Cellulose (solid particle)
Concentration 40 mg/m3
TLV 5 mg/m3
Required protection factor 40/5 = 8
Recommendation FFP2 (nominal protection factor 12)

Replacement of filters: it is not possible to determine a time of effectiveness of a filter, since different factors in influence their duration; relative humidity, temperature, respiratory rate, lung capacity, concentration and nature of the contaminant. It is recommended to replace the filter when increased breathing resistance or contaminant odor is noticed.

  Masks EN149 Masks EN405 Semi Masks EN140 Masks EN136
Particles P1 4,5 4,5 4,5 5
Particles P2 15 12 12 16
Particles P3 50 50 50 1000
Gases and Vapors - 20 20 2000
Filters for particulates, gases, and combined filters
P (white) Particles class 1 (P1), Class 2 (P2) and Class 3 (P3)
A (brown) Organic gases and vapors
B (grey) Inorganic gases and vapors (no CO)
E (yellow) Acidic gases and vapors
K (green) Ammonia

Note: These tables are approximate. The prevencionist should be the one who advises the end user on the best protection based on measurements in the workplace.

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