Protective gloves against mechanical risks
Protective gloves certified to the EN 388 standard protect the wearer against mechanical risks. The properties that are tested are abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tear strength and puncture resistance. EN 388 also contains an impact resistance test for gloves that incorporate impact-resistant properties in the palm or back of the hand.
The protective properties of gloves designed to protect against mechanical risks are classified by performance levels as shown in the table below.
| Protective properties | Performance level |
|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance (number of cycles) | 1 - 4 |
| Circular blade cut resistance ‘coupe test’ (index) | 1 - 5 |
| Straight blade cut resistance TDM (N) | A - F |
| Tear resistance (N) | 1 - 4 |
| Puncture resistance (N) | 1 - 4 |
| Impact resistance (optional) | P |
The standard defines two different test methods to determine the cut resistance properties. Gloves are tested using one test or the other, never using both tests together. The coupe test, or circular blade cut test, must always be carried out initially. However, some materials dull the blade during this type of testing which means the results may be missleading. Where the coupe test is not suitable, the TDM straight blade cut test method is used instead to determine the material’s resistance to cutting.
The performance levels are shown with the pictogram below;
