GLOVE STANDARDS AND RECENT CHANGES TO EN388 THE EN388 STANDARD HAS CHANGED IN MANY FACETS. PREVIOUSLY, THE EN388 WAS A COMPILATION OF FOUR TESTS (ABRASION, CUT, TEAR, PUNCTURE) USED FOR DETERMINING THE MECHANICAL PROTECTION LEVELS OF PPE MATERIALS. Used in European markets, this test has been making its way globally as a widely accepted standard for measuring protective properties of industrial PPE. Even the Australian Standard has this test embedded in its regulations. The main changes revolve around cut testing. It’s a topic that’s been talked about in the hand safety industry over the past several years regarding cut testing: how accurate is EN388’s old Coup Test when it comes to high cut resistance materials? To be clear, this is the test that determined that a glove was Cut 5 or 3 etc. The Coup Test measures the amount of cut resistance using a circular blade that travels back and forth (like a pizza cutter) across the palm section of the product being tested under a fixed weight of 500 grams. When testing materials have a high amount of cut resistance, the blade dulls over time, which can skew the results. This, along with other aspects of the test, makes it hard for safety managers and users alike to gauge the true cut resistance of their PPE. Now, with the revised standard, the Coup Test is limited to a maximum number of 60 rotations, whether the blade has cut through the material sample or not. If the test reaches 60 rotations, the material is required to be tested using the ISO 13977 Cut Resistant Method, also commonly known as the TDM 100 Test. The result of the TDM Test is used to determine the actual cut resistance of the glove material and assesses how much force is needed to cut the material over a 20mm stroke using a straight blade. Cut levels in this test are characterized by letters A to F. The addition of the ISO 13977 Cut Test Method and the TDM Test will help ensure that cut materials are receiving accurate scores, which in turn will help workers make more informed decisions about their safety. With these changes, manufacturers can now opt out of performing the Coup Test and perform only the TDM 100 test if desired.
ADDITIONAL EN388 CHANGES
ABRASION RESISTANCE TESTING The revised EN388 Standard also calls for a new type of abrasive paper to be used during abrasion resistance testing. The original test method will remain the same –a sample from the glove’s palm will be rubbed with abrasive paper to determine how long it takes for a hole to wear through the material. While not a significant modification, the updated method may change some abrasion resistance test scores. IMPACT PROTECTION If gloves have impact protection on the back of the hand, they have the option to be tested to verify their protective properties. EN 388:2016 contains a test for impact resistance where testing is carried out in accordance with clause 6.9 of EN 13594. Gloves must meet the requirement of level 1 of EN 13594:2015. The impact test consists of placing the (back-of-hand/knuckle) impact resistant material from the glove over a domed anvil (basically a block of metal with a flattened circular top surface) and dropping a 2.5kg flat face surface striker from a sufficient height to provide an impact energy of 5 joules. (Joules are the derived unit used to measure the force of one newton in the direction of its motion through a distance of one-newton meter.) The peak force is detected and recorded by a sensor that’s beneath the anvil. This test is done four times in each area of protection taken from four different gloves. This helps ensure the results are consistent across the board. To pass the test, the transmitted force needs to be less than or equal to 7 kilonewtons with no single results greater than 9 kilonewtons.
EN 388 EN 8
If TDM Cut Test has not yet been performed - X will be added to marking If Glove passes Impact protection standard - P can be added to marking
3X43EP
NEW! Impact Protection NEW! (TDM Test) Cut (N) Puncture (N) Tear
(Couple Test) Cut (Cycles) Abrasion
LOW Cut protection level
MEDIUM Cut protection level
HIGH Cut protection level
EXTRA HIGH Cut protection level
Performance level rating Cut resistance (Newton) Suggested applications
A
B
C
D
E
F
> 2
> 5
> 10
> 15
> 22
> 30
Light material handling without sharp edges objects, part assembly, automotive maintenance, construction, multipurpose...
Packaging, warehouse, light metal stamping, automotive and white goods parts assembly...
Ligth duty sheet metal and glass handling, metal stamping, plastics, tyre production, automotive and
Sheet metal and glass/bottle handling, metal stamping, light duty meat and poultry handling, carpentry, printing...
Heavy duty sheet metal handling. Plate glass handling, metal recycling, waste management, meat and poultry handling, printing...
Heavy duty sheet metal
handling, metal recycling, waste management, heavy duty meat processing, slaughterhouses...
white goods industries...
bunzlsafety.com.au | 5 5
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker