Impact protection gloves are designed for industries with a risk of hand impact injuries, including construction, mining, manufacturing, warehousing and automotive. These gloves are tested against a range of forces (e.g. cut, abrasion, heat, chemicals). Testing of gloves for ‘impact resistance’ involves a five-joule weight-drop test on common impact areas, such as the back of the hand.

Employers are obligated to take steps to provide hand impact protection where necessary, but not any old gloves will do! You need to ensure the impact gloves you use in your workplace are fit-for-purpose, high-quality and compliant with safety standards.

What are the standards for impact protection gloves?

Impact protection gloves are designed to help protect the hands from bruising, fractures and other similar injuries. There are two international standards that are recognised and followed in Australia. These are:

• EN388 – a European standard where impact resistance testing results in either a Pass (P) or Fail (F). The equivalent standard in Australia and New Zealand is AS/NZS 2161.3.
• ANSI/ISEA 138 – a North American standard where testing results in a 3-level rating system indicating the level of resistance.

While the impact test for the standards is similar, the standards do differ in a few ways. For example, testing for the American standard ANSI/ISEA 138 involves more impact areas – these being the back of the hand, fingers and thumbs. The European standard, EN388 involves weight tests to the back of the hand, but not the fingers. ANSI/ISEA 138 also provides more detailed information of the test results through its tiered rating system, which runs from Level 1 to Level 3. Level 3 is the top level of protection for high-energy impacts.

Which standard should you follow?

Both standards are relevant, it just depends on the context. EN388 offers a broader rating system and tests the knuckles along the back of the hand, which may be adequate for some workplace environments. ANSI/ISEA 138 allows for tailoring of the level of protection to a greater degree and additionally tests the fingers and thumb. This may suit higher-risk workplaces.

The standards for impact testing such as these have evolved over time, in turn affecting how protective gloves are made. As an example, the original European 2003 standard did not include impact testing. This testing was added to the standard in 2016, and AS/NZS 2161.3, which mirrors EN388, was developed in 2020. The American standard ANSI/ISEA 138 was introduced in 2019.

Providing compliant protective gloves for your workers

ATG® gloves provide excellent hand protection for a range of hazards. For example, the MaxiCut® Ultra™ 52-6745FI delivers ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 cushioning against impact forces, meeting the standards. Suitable for use with touchscreens, it also offers cut F protection, optimum grip and breathability for maximum comfort in dry environments.

Jason Sheerin, Asia Pacific Business Unit Manager at ATG®, says the company tests its products against a very wide range of hazards. With regard to impact protection, he says employers need to identify the impact risk in the workplace in order to choose the correct glove. “This helps ensure you get the best protection for your employees through gloves that are thoroughly tested and compliant.”

As Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety equipment, Blackwoods has all your job requirements covered. Talk to your local Blackwoods Technical Safety Specialist about ATG® gloves.

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