What are Work Gloves? Why are they important?

Work gloves are personal protective equipment that protect hands in the working environment from mechanical impacts, cuts, chemical substances, electrical hazards, and extreme temperature changes. Under Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety, employers are obliged to provide appropriate PPE to their employees based on the results of risk assessment. The selection of gloves should be made according to the hazard class of the working environment, the work performed, and the duration of use.

The basic standard that all work gloves had to meet was formerly EN 420, but this standard was repealed as of 2023 and replaced by EN ISO 21420:2020. EN ISO 21420 regulates general requirements such as ergonomics, harmlessness, sizing, dexterity testing, and marking. Performance values for specific hazards are determined by the additional standards described below.

Nitrile Coated Work Gloves

Nitrile-coated work gloves are produced with synthetic rubber-based nitrile coatings and are the most common product group in the occupational safety market. They offer superior resistance to oil, water, hydrocarbons, and mild chemicals. The risk of allergy is extremely low compared to latex; therefore, they are preferred in sectors requiring intensive use.

Typical areas of use: Petrochemical, automotive, heavy assembly, machinery maintenance-repair, construction, oil and gas industry.

Nitrile Gloves by Coating Type

• Full dip: The entire glove surface is coated. Provides maximum protection in intense oil and water contact.
• ¾ dip: The palm and fingers are coated, except for the fingertips. The most popular option for balance.
• Fingertip coated: Only the fingertips are coated. For light, flexible, precision tasks.
• Foam nitrile: Thanks to its porous structure, it has high grip on wet and oily surfaces.

Relevant EN Standards

How to Read EN 388:2016 Code?

The 4 or 5-character code on the label is read in the following order:

Example: 4X42B → Abrasion 4, Coup test not performed (X), Tear 4, Puncture 2, TDM cut level B.

PU (Polyurethane) Coated Work Gloves

PU-coated work gloves are produced with a thin and flexible polyurethane coating. Thanks to their light structure and high tactile sensitivity, they are widely used in fine parts assembly, electronic component manufacturing, optical, and automotive sectors. They provide good grip on dry and lightly wet surfaces; however, they are not as effective as nitrile in heavily oily environments.

Typical areas of use: Electronic assembly, optical sector, automotive interiors, packaging, precision mechanics.

Nitrile or PU?

Latex Coated Work Gloves

Latex coating, obtained from natural rubber, has been used for many years in general construction, agriculture, and heavy assembly work due to its high flexibility and excellent grip. Although it performs better than nitrile and PU in terms of mechanical resistance, it is recommended to assess allergy status before use as it may cause latex allergies in some individuals.

Typical areas of use: Construction, general assembly, agriculture, pipe-plumbing, heavy lifting.

Latex-coated gloves are also subject to EN ISO 21420 and EN 388 standards. For versions requiring heat resistance, the EN 407 standard should also be sought.

Uncoated (Seamless Knitted) Work Gloves

Uncoated work gloves are produced with seamless knitting technology; there is no coating or only minimal band coating. They offer maximum breathability and comfort, reducing hand fatigue, especially during long shifts. Suitable for packaging, inspection, warehousing, and cleanroom environments with light mechanical risks.

Main standard: EN ISO 21420:2020. If additional mechanical performance is required, the EN 388 code will be specified on the product label.

Cut Resistant Work Gloves

Cut-resistant work gloves are produced with an inner liner knitted from HPPE (High-Performance Polyethylene), Aramid (Kevlar®), glass fiber, or composite fibers. They are designed to prevent hand injuries for workers in the metal, glass, cutting tool, and sheet metal processing sectors.

EN 388:2016 Cut Levels (TDM Test)

For sheet metal and metal sectors, level D or E is generally recommended. For glass cutting, level F should be preferred.

Assembly and Precision Assembly Gloves

Assembly gloves offer high tactile sensitivity and sufficient mechanical protection combined for general assembly lines, automotive, white goods, and electronics manufacturing. They are mostly produced by applying a PU or foam nitrile coating on a thin seamless nylon or polyester liner. ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protective versions are mandatory when working with static-sensitive components.

ESD (Antistatic) Glove Standard: EN 16350

EN 16350:2014 standard regulates the electrical performance of antistatic gloves used in explosive atmospheres or sensitive electronic manufacturing environments. The surface resistance on the glove surface must be below 10⁸ Ω. This standard, which replaced the old EN 1149 standard, should be referenced for ESD-controlled environments.

Welder's (Welding) Gloves

Welding gloves provide protection against high heat, sparks, and molten metal splashes that occur during electric arc, MIG/MAG, and TIG welding. They are usually made using chrome-tanned leather (split leather) or nappa leather. Flame-retardant seams and long cuffs are characteristic features of these gloves.

EN 12477:2001+A1:2005 — Welding Glove Types

EN 407: Thermal Risk Code

For welding and heat protective gloves, the EN 407 code should also be sought. The 6-digit code covers the following tests:

Example: X1XXXX → Only the convective heat resistance test has been passed, other tests have not been applied.

Chemical Protective Work Gloves

Chemical work gloves are designed for industries working with acids, bases, solvents, petroleum derivatives, and other hazardous substances. They can be made from nitrile, neoprene, butyl, PVC, or multi-layered laminated materials. The most critical criterion for chemical selection is the glove's permeation time against the target chemical.

EN 374 Series Standards

EN 374-1 Permeation Performance Levels

The letter code on the label (between A–P) indicates the chemicals used in the test. For example, "J" means methanol, "K" means acetone.

Electrician's (Insulating) Gloves

Insulating work gloves used in electrical work are life-saving PPE for high-voltage lines, power panels, and electrical installation work. They are made of natural latex or synthetic rubber; they have a class code indicating the maximum voltage they can withstand.

EN 60903:2003 / IEC 60903:2014 — Voltage Classes

Color Codes

Electrician's gloves can be easily distinguished visually by class color coding: Class 00 = Beige · Class 0 = Red · Class 1 = White · Class 2 = Yellow · Class 3 = Green · Class 4 = Orange.

Important Note: Insulated gloves are vulnerable to mechanical damage; therefore, wearing leather protective gloves (overglove) on top is standard practice. Also, dielectric testing should be performed every 6 months or before use.

How to Choose the Right Work Glove?

1. Identify the hazard: Mechanical, thermal, chemical, or electrical?
2. Evaluate contact time: Short contact and prolonged exposure require different levels of protection.
3. Check the standard code: The relevant EN/ISO code and performance levels should be on the product label.
4. Size and comfort: Correct size selection reduces fatigue; the higher the EN ISO 21420 dexterity test score, the more agile the glove.
5. CE mark and conformity certificate: All PPE imported into the EU must bear the CE mark. Request a conformity certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between EN 420 and EN ISO 21420?

EN 420 was the old general requirements standard for work gloves and was repealed as of 2023. Its replacement, EN ISO 21420:2020, updated basic requirements such as harmlessness, ergonomics, sizing, and dexterity testing in line with international ISO standards. You should look for EN ISO 21420 certification when purchasing new products.

Why is the permeation time of chemical gloves important?

Permeation time indicates the time it takes for a chemical substance to pass through the glove material and reach the skin. The longer this time, the safer the glove is against that chemical. The EN ISO 374-3 test defines 6 levels, and for tasks requiring continuous contact, at least level 4 (120 minutes) is recommended.

Can cut-resistant gloves and welding gloves be used at the same time?

No. Welding gloves (EN 12477) are optimized for heat and molten metal splash protection; their cut resistance may be low. For welding operations, the correct category, EN 12477 Type A or Type B, should be chosen. If high cut risk is also present, a separate EN 388 D/E level glove should be preferred for before or after welding.

How often do electrician's gloves need to be replaced?

Electrician's gloves under EN 60903 must undergo dielectric inspection every 6 months, or before each use, with a visual and inflation test. Gloves not used within 10 years of their manufacturing date must be immediately taken out of service.