Key points
- Choose work gloves for the hazard in the task: cuts, abrasion, punctures, impact, heat, cold or chemicals each need a different glove.
- The EN 388 marking shows four numbers and up to two letters for mechanical risks, and a higher number or letter means better performance in that test.
- Mechanical ratings say nothing about chemical protection, so for chemicals check the manufacturer's chemical resistance information.
- A glove only protects when it fits, suits the task and is replaced when worn or damaged.
This guide helps supervisors, safety officers and tradespeople in Australia read the EN 388 marking on safety gloves and match the glove to the job. It covers mechanical ratings, cut levels, other common standards, fit, replacement and buying for a team. Personal protective equipment is the last control in the hierarchy of controls and is used with higher order controls such as elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering and administrative measures.
Under the model Work Health and Safety laws used in most states and territories, and under Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety Act, the business must manage risks and provide suitable PPE where it is needed to control a risk. Workers must use the PPE they are given as instructed. Check the requirements that apply to your workplace.
How do you choose work gloves for the hazard?
Start by identifying what the hands touch and for how long. Cuts from blades or sheet metal need cut resistant gloves. Abrasion from rough surfaces needs a high abrasion rating. Punctures from sharp points need a high puncture rating. Impact on the back of the hand needs a glove marked with the impact letter. Heat and fire need a thermal standard. Cold needs insulation. Chemicals need a glove listed against the relevant chemical standard with manufacturer data for the substances used. General handling and grip need a coated palm or leather. One glove rarely covers all of these hazards, so select for the primary risk and check the secondary risks. Ask the crew what materials they handle, how often they change tasks and whether they need fine dexterity or heavy protection. Walk the site and note every point where hands contact sharp edges, hot surfaces, chemicals or rough timber. Match each contact point to a glove type before you order.
What does the EN 388 marking on a glove mean?
The marking is a pictogram followed by four numbers and up to two letters. The numbers and letters show performance in specific mechanical tests. A higher number or letter means better performance in that test.
| Position on the marking | Test | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (number) | Abrasion | How well the palm material resists wearing through |
| 2nd (number or X) | Blade cut, coup test | Cut resistance by the coup test, X if not tested |
| 3rd (number) | Tear | How well the material resists tearing |
| 4th (number) | Puncture | How well it resists a point pushing through |
| 5th (letter A to F, or X) | Cut, TDM test | Cut resistance by the TDM test, F is the highest |
| 6th (letter P, if present) | Impact | The glove passed the impact protection test |
The marking is printed on the glove or its packaging and usually on the listing. Read it left to right. Compare two gloves position by position. An X or a missing letter is not a fail. Ask the supplier if the marking is unclear.
What do the cut levels A to F mean?
The fifth position letter comes from the TDM cut test. Levels run from A to F. Level F is the highest at 30 newtons. An X means the TDM test was not done. The coup test in the second position and the TDM test in the fifth position are two different cut tests, so compare gloves on the same position. Match the letter to the severity of the cutting hazard and check that the glove still gives the dexterity the task needs.
A higher cut level usually means a thicker or stiffer glove, so higher is not always better for fine work. Trial the level the task needs. Cut resistance is not cut proof. A blade can still cut through with enough force.
An X on the marking means that test was not done, not that the glove failed, so compare gloves on the tests that matter for your task.
Which other glove standards appear on listings?
Look for products listed against AS/NZS 2161.2 and EN ISO 21420 for general requirements. AS/NZS 2161.3 covers mechanical risks. EN 407 covers heat and fire. EN ISO 374-1 and EN ISO 374-5 cover chemicals and micro-organisms. Mechanical ratings do not cover chemical protection. For chemicals, check the manufacturer's chemical resistance information for the substances you use.
One glove can be listed against several standards. Each pictogram covers a different risk. Check that the risk you need is shown. Read the instructions that come with the glove.
Which glove types suit which jobs?
Coated knitted gloves with nitrile, latex or polyurethane palms give grip and dexterity for assembly and light handling. Leather rigger gloves suit rough handling and general site work. Cut resistant knitted shells protect against blades and sheet metal. Welding gloves are made for hot work. Insulated knitted gloves suit cold environments.
There is a trade off between dexterity and protection. Thicker gloves protect more but reduce feel. Wet or oily handling needs a grip coating suited to it. Check the listing for the coating.
For coated knitted gloves see the PIP G-Tek PosiGripMAX 18G GP Glove. For leather riggers see the Steel Drill Cobra Rigger Gloves Natural Grain Leather Grey.
When do you need cut resistant gloves?
Use cut resistant gloves when handling sheet metal, glass, blades and sharp edges, during food preparation with knives, and for box cutting. Match the cut letter to the task and check that the glove still allows the dexterity required. The Portwest CT Cut D18 Nitrile Glove is an example of a cut resistant glove listed with a cut level.
Cut resistant gloves do not protect against powered blades or saws. Keep guards and safe work methods in place. Check the cuff length if forearms are also exposed to edges.
How do disposable gloves differ?
Disposable nitrile, latex and vinyl gloves are single use. Check the listing for what each is made for and whether it is powder free. They are not a substitute for a work glove on mechanical tasks. For disposable nitrile see the Steel Drill Black Nitro Premium Nitrile Gloves Powder Free.
Disposable gloves suit short tasks, hygiene and handling where the glove is changed often. Change them when torn or contaminated. Do not reuse them. Check sizing because a tight disposable glove tears easily.
What about chemical and heat protection?
Mechanical ratings do not cover chemicals. Check the manufacturer's chemical resistance information for the substances you use. For heat and fire, look for gloves listed against EN 407. Welding gloves are made for hot work. Check the listing for the standards stated.
A chemical glove that suits one substance may not suit another. Check the substances on the safety data sheet against the manufacturer's information. Heat gloves differ in what contact heat they are made for. Check the listing.
How should safety gloves fit?
Measure the hand around the knuckles and compare to the manufacturer's size chart. A glove that is too loose can catch on machinery and one that is too tight tires the hand. Fingertip fit matters for dexterity. Try the size with the actual task before committing to a bulk order. Ask a few crew members to wear the sample for a full shift and report on comfort, grip and any pressure points. Check that the cuff sits correctly over or under sleeves depending on the task. A short trial helps the crew settle on a glove they will actually wear.
When should you replace gloves?
Inspect gloves before each use. Replace them when worn through, split, holed, contaminated or stiff. Follow the manufacturer instructions. There is no fixed replacement interval. Condition drives the decision. Set a simple check routine at the start of each shift so damage is caught early. Keep a small stock of each approved type on site so a worn pair can be swapped immediately without delaying the job.
How do you buy work gloves for a team?
Keep a short list of approved gloves by task. Collect sizes from the crew. Buy by the box or pair as listed. Use the trade buying page for pathways to quick order by SKU, request a product quote, sign in to a customer account to see orders and account details, and submit a trade account application enquiry. The quick order by SKU page lets you enter SKUs and quantities, paste a list of SKU and quantity pairs or import a CSV, then add the exact matches to the cart in one step. For larger orders use the request a quote form to list product names or SKUs and quantities, a required-by date, delivery or pickup preference and postcode. Availability is confirmed with the quote.
Frequently asked questions
What does EN 388 4X42D mean?
This marking shows abrasion level 4, coup cut test not tested (X), tear level 4, puncture level 2, and TDM cut level D. The sixth position is not shown, so no impact rating is claimed.
What is the highest cut level?
The highest TDM cut level is F, which corresponds to 30 newtons of force.
Do cut resistant gloves stop punctures?
Puncture resistance is a separate test shown by the fourth number in the EN 388 marking. A high cut level does not guarantee a high puncture level. Check the fourth number for puncture performance.
Are disposable gloves PPE for chemicals?
Only if the listing says so and the manufacturer's chemical resistance data covers the substances you use. Disposable gloves are not a substitute for a chemical protective glove rated for the task.
How often should gloves be replaced?
There is no fixed interval. Replace gloves when they are worn through, split, holed, contaminated or stiff. Inspect before each use and follow the manufacturer instructions.
For help choosing hand protection or placing a team order, call 1300 078 277 or visit our contact page.
Shop work gloves
- Hand protectionall hand protection products
- Maxisafe glovesMaxisafe brand gloves
- Portwest glovesPortwest brand gloves
- Steel Drill glovesSteel Drill brand gloves
- Hygiene and disposablesdisposable gloves and hygiene
- Welding protectionwelding gloves and gear
Related guides
- Our article 'PPE in Australia: A Complete Guide for Workplaces'types of PPE, the standards on listings and how to choose, fit and replace them
- Our article 'Workplace Safety Checklist for Australian Businesses'eight areas to check on a worksite
- Respirator guide: P1, P2, P3 and fit testingFilter classes, the standards on listings, fit testing, facial hair and looking after respirators.
- Safety boots guide: AS/NZS 2210.3 and S1 to S3Toe caps, the SB, S1, S2 and S3 classes, soles, fit and when to replace safety boots.
- Safety glasses guide: AS/NZS 1337.1Impact levels, splash, dust and molten metal markings, lens tints and eyewash.
Sources
- Safe Work Australia, Personal protective equipment (PPE): overview.
- uvex safety Australia, Glove Standard EN 388:2016 Explained.
