WORK GLOVE STANDARDS & PROTECTION GUIDES
Selecting the right safety glove starts with understanding the standards behind it.
Different workplace hazards require different types of protection, and each is measured using recognised standards. Whether you're responsible for workplace safety, PPE procurement, product specification or technical support, understanding these standards helps you select gloves that are appropriate for the risks involved.
This knowledge hub introduces the main work glove standards used to assess mechanical, thermal, chemical and cold protection. It explains what each standard covers, how they support safer glove selection, and where to find more detailed technical guidance.
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE & RESOURCES
Understanding glove standards is only one part of selecting appropriate hand protection. Applying that knowledge effectively often requires access to clear technical guidance, product information and practical support.
Whether you're developing a PPE specification, supporting customer conversations or reviewing your current hand protection strategy, the right resources can help you make more informed decisions.
Explore Traffi's technical resources to:
- Learn more about individual glove standards and protection ratings.
- Understand how different hazards influence glove selection.
- Access product datasheets and technical documentation.
- Support internal training and safety awareness.
- Share trusted guidance with colleagues or customers.
WHY WORK GLOVE STANDARDS MATTER
Safety glove standards provide a consistent way to assess glove performance against specific workplace hazards. Rather than relying on product descriptions or assumptions, they enable you to compare gloves using independently tested performance criteria.
Different standards apply to different risks. Some assess protection against mechanical hazards such as cuts and abrasion, while others relate to heat, cold, chemicals or electrostatic properties. Understanding which standard applies to your application helps ensure gloves are selected according to the hazards present, supporting both workplace safety and compliance.
For organisations managing PPE across multiple teams or sites, using recognised glove standards creates a more consistent approach to glove selection, helping improve specification, training and long-term safety performance.
UNDERSTANDING THE MAIN GLOVE PROTECTION STANDARDS
Protective gloves are tested against recognised standards to demonstrate their performance against specific workplace hazards. Rather than relying on a single certification, many safety gloves are tested to multiple standards depending on the risks they are designed to address. Understanding what each standard covers helps you identify the protection required for your application, compare products more effectively, and select gloves based on the hazards present in your working environment.
EN388 is the European standard used to evaluate protective gloves against mechanical risks. It assesses a glove's performance in relation to:
- Abrasion resistance
- Blade cut resistance (Coupe Test)
- Tear resistance
- Puncture resistance
- TDM cut resistance (ISO 13997)
- Impact protection (where applicable)
EN388 is commonly used when selecting gloves for applications involving handling, manufacturing, construction, engineering, logistics and other environments where mechanical hazards may be present.
EN 407:2020 specifies the performance requirements for protective gloves designed to protect against thermal risks, including heat and fire.
Depending on the glove's intended use, testing may assess resistance to:
- Limited Flame Spread
- Contact heat
- Convective heat
- Radiant heat
- Small splashes of molten metal
- Large quantities of molten metal
EN 407:2020 is relevant wherever workers may be exposed to elevated temperatures, hot objects, flames or molten metal.
EN511 applies to protective gloves designed for use in cold environments.
The standard evaluates performance against:
- Convective cold
- Contact cold
- Water penetration
EN511 is commonly used for outdoor work, cold storage, refrigerated environments and other applications where prolonged exposure to low temperatures may affect worker safety or performance.
EN ISO 374 specifies the requirements for protective gloves intended to protect against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms.
Depending on the certification achieved, gloves may be tested for resistance to:
- Chemical permeation
- Chemical penetration
- Protection against bacteria and fungi
- Protection against viruses (where applicable)
This standard is commonly used in industries involving chemical handling, laboratories, cleaning, manufacturing and other environments where hazardous substances may be present.
EN 16350 specifies the requirements for protective gloves intended for use in areas where there is a risk of explosive atmospheres.
The standard helps identify gloves with suitable electrostatic properties for environments where electrostatic discharge could present a hazard.
EN ISO 21420 specifies the general requirements and relevant test procedures that apply to protective gloves.
It covers areas including:
- Design and construction
- Chemical Innocuousness
- Comfort
- Sizing and dexterity
- Marking
- Information supplied by the manufacturer
EN ISO 21420 is intended to be used alongside hazard-specific standards, providing the general requirements that apply to protective gloves before performance against specific risks is assessed.
Matching certifications to hazards and risks:
- EN388
Mechanical hazards such as cuts, abrasion, tears or punctures
- EN 407:2020
Heat, flames or hot materials
- EN511
Cold environments or refrigerated handling
- EN ISO 374
Dangerous chemicals or micro-organisms
- EN16350
Electrostatic discharge in explosive atmospheres
- EN ISO 21420
General protective glove requirements
Understanding which standard applies is the first step towards selecting appropriate hand protection. The next step is reviewing the glove's performance ratings, ensuring they match the specific hazards and working conditions your teams encounter.
APPLYING GLOVE STANDARDS IN THE WORKPLACE
Understanding glove standards is only valuable if you can apply them effectively in real working environments. While standards provide an objective way to compare glove performance, selecting the right glove should always begin with the hazards associated with the task.
See our practical approach below.
1. IDENTIFY THE HAZARD
Consider the risks workers may encounter, such as sharp materials, heat, cold, hazardous chemicals or electrostatic discharge.
2. IDENTIFY THE RELEVANT STANDARD
Match the hazard to the appropriate glove standard. For example, EN388 applies to mechanical risks, while EN 407:2020 relates to thermal hazards and EN511 covers protection against cold.
3. REVIEW THE PERFORMANCE RATINGS
Where applicable, review the glove's performance ratings to ensure they are appropriate for the level of risk and the working environment.
4. CONSIDER PRACTICAL USE
Protection should always be balanced with usability. Comfort, dexterity, grip and durability all influence whether gloves will be worn correctly and consistently.
5. EVALUATE THE GLOVE IN THE WORKPLACE
Where appropriate, trial gloves in the intended working environment to confirm they provide the required level of protection while supporting productivity and wearer acceptance.
Following a structured selection process helps ensure gloves are chosen according to the hazards present, rather than assumptions, familiarity or price alone.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
Understanding glove standards is an important part of selecting appropriate hand protection, but standards should always be considered alongside the specific hazards, working environment and practical requirements of the task.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Selecting gloves designed for one type of hazard when protection against another is required.
- Focusing on a single performance rating instead of considering the glove's overall performance.
- Assuming all safety gloves provide the same level or type of protection.
- Overlooking factors such as comfort, dexterity and grip, which can affect whether gloves are worn correctly.
- Failing to review glove selection as workplace tasks, hazards or processes change.
Avoiding these common mistakes helps improve glove selection, support compliance and ensure workers have the appropriate level of protection for the tasks they carry out.
SUPPORTING YOUR HAND SAFETY STRATEGY
At Traffi, we help organisations make more informed hand protection decisions by combining technical expertise with practical guidance.
Whether you're reviewing your current PPE, developing a glove specification or looking to improve consistency across multiple sites, our team can help you identify solutions that are appropriate for your working environment.
Our support includes:
- Guidance on glove standards and protection requirements.
- Assistance with selecting gloves for specific workplace hazards.
- Product datasheets and technical documentation.
- Glove audits and product trials.
- Resources to support training and ongoing safety initiatives.
By combining recognised glove standards with practical application, organisations can develop a more consistent and effective approach to hand protection.
FIND GLOVES THAT MEET YOUR PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
Once you've identified the standards relevant to your application, explore Traffi's range of safety gloves to find products that match your protection requirements.
You can:
- Browse safety gloves by application.
- Review technical datasheets and certifications.
- Request product samples.
- Find an authorised Traffi distributor.
FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS
Work glove standards are recognised testing standards used to assess how protective gloves perform against specific workplace hazards. They provide a consistent way to compare products and help ensure gloves are selected according to the risks present in a working environment.
Protective gloves are designed for different workplace hazards. A glove intended for protection against mechanical risks will be tested to different standards than one designed for protection against chemicals, heat or cold. Many protective gloves meet multiple standards, depending on their intended application.
The correct standard depends on the hazards involved in the task.
- EN388 covers protection against mechanical risks.
- EN 407:2020 covers protection against thermal risks, including heat and fire.
- EN511 covers protection against cold.
- EN ISO 374 covers protection against dangerous chemicals and micro-organisms.
- EN16350 applies to gloves intended for use in areas where there is a risk of explosive atmospheres.
Identifying the workplace hazard is the first step in selecting appropriate hand protection.
Yes. Many protective gloves are tested and certified to multiple standards where they are designed to protect against more than one type of hazard. Always review the product's certifications and performance ratings to ensure they are appropriate for your application.
Not necessarily. Higher performance ratings indicate greater protection in a particular test, but the most appropriate glove is the one that matches the hazards and practical requirements of the task. Factors such as comfort, dexterity and usability should also be considered during glove selection.
Recognised glove standards provide a consistent framework for selecting protective gloves based on tested performance. Using certified gloves helps organisations demonstrate that PPE has been selected with consideration of the workplace hazards and relevant protection requirements.
Start by identifying the hazards associated with the task, then determine which glove standard applies. Review the glove's performance ratings and consider practical factors such as comfort, dexterity and durability before selecting the most appropriate product.
EN388 is the standard used to assess protective gloves against mechanical risks. If you need a detailed explanation of EN388 ratings, cut levels and how to interpret glove markings, explore our dedicated EN388 Gloves & Cut Levels Guide.
