Hand protection
Devices of hand protection include one-, two- and three- and five-finger gloves, palm, arm and lower arm protectors, wristbands, pulse warmers, as well as devices of finger and shoulder protection.
Criteria for the selection of gloves:
- type and degree of the hazard and harm, with special respect to their concurrent existence,
- shape and size, as well as material and surface properties of the object held in the hand
- types of the movements made in the course of work
- environmental impacts.
The most typical threats are
- mechanical impacts, particularly piercing, cutting, scrubbing and wearing effects,
- various chemical impacts, such as the presence of acids, alkali solutions, corrosive substances, organic solvents, alcohols, poisons,
- radiant and contact forms of extreme heat effects,
- vibrations,
- electric phenomena, such as electric shock, arc actions, static charging,
- and biological factors.
Major standards pertaining to personal protective equipment for hand protection:
Number of the standard | Designation of the standard |
MSZ EN 374-1 | Gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. Part 1: terms and definitions, performance requirements |
MSZ EN 374-2 | Gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. Part 2: definition of penetration resistance |
MSZ EN 374-3 | Gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. Part 3: definition of penetration resistance to chemicals test requirements |
MSZ EN 388 | Gloves against mechanical risks. |
MSZ EN 407 | Gloves protecting against thermal risks (heat and/or fire) |
MSZ EN 420 | Protective gloves. General requirements and test methods |
MSZ EN 60903 | Work performed under voltage. Gloves of insulating materials (IEC 60903: correction in the year of 2002 2003, amended) |
All the gloves have to ensure the mobility of the hand.
Products made of leather cannot be washed or subjected to chemical cleaning.
Protective devices made from a single piece of material may never be spliced with further parts.
For protection against cutting or piercing by knives, the five-finger chain gloves designed for meat processing are recommended.
For objects dipped in chemical solutions, long-sleeved, chemical-resistant protective gloves.