Ansell glove protection standards

Numeric codes and symbols are used for specifying protection levels on gloves so the level of protection matches the task. Cost control by matching the protection codes to the appropriate risk is also an important factor.

International (ISO) and Australian/New Zealand (ANSI) standards help classify specific attributes of products and communicate the quality and protection levels of personal protection equipment. While compliance with ‘AS/NZS 2161 Occupational Protective Gloves’ is not currently compulsory for glove manufacturers, safety managers view compliance with standards as a key issue.

Ansell’s gloves have been tested and approved to all meet many of the stringent European and USA standards.

For example, standard EN 420 (AS/NZS 2161.2:1998) - Occupational Protective Gloves, General Requirements defines general requirements to all protective gloves (except electrician and medical gloves) for glove construction, innocuousness, cleaning, comfort and efficiency, marking and information.

A series of detailed standards follow: AS/NZS 2161.3:1998 (EN 388) Protective Gloves Against Mechanical Risk; AS/NZS 2161.10:1998 (EN 374) Protection against Chemicals and Micro Organisms and AS/NZS 2161.4:1999 (EN 407) Protective Gloves Against Thermal Risks.

Each of these standards is represented by a symbol and number stamped on gloves - the higher the number, the higher level of protection. To achieve each standard requires testing to determine the rating of protection level and is a useful guide to those responsible for ensuring worker safety.