Protection Classes in Work Gloves

Work gloves may look simple, but in industrial environments they are one of the most important forms of personal protection. Hands are exposed to constant risks — sharp edges, machinery, heat, chemicals, cold conditions and repetitive mechanical friction. Because of this, choosing the right glove is not a small decision. It requires understanding how international standards classify protection levels and how those classifications relate to real working conditions.

Why Protection Standards Matter

In many workplaces, injuries happen not because workers lack gloves, but because they use the wrong type. A glove designed for basic mechanical tasks may fail when exposed to sharp metal. A chemical-resistant glove may offer no protection against heat. And a heat-resistant glove may tear easily during construction work.

These mismatches lead to downtime, medical costs and preventable accidents. That is why standards such as EN 388, EN 407, EN 374 and EN 511 exist — to help companies match the glove to the hazard with clarity and consistency.

Mechanical Protection: Understanding EN 388

EN 388 is the most widely used glove standard because it measures resistance to common industrial risks: abrasion, cuts, tears and punctures. Instead of relying on appearance alone, EN 388 assigns a numerical code showing how durable a glove is under mechanical stress.

Abrasion resistance reveals how well the material withstands continuous friction. Cut resistance evaluates how the glove performs against sharp blades. Tear and puncture resistance indicate how effectively the material tolerates force, pulling pressure and pointed objects. The additional TDM cut rating (A to F) provides a deeper measurement for industries working with sheet metal, glass, or industrial knives — areas where a simple cut rating is not enough.

Different sectors naturally fall into different protection needs. Warehouses may only need moderate abrasion protection, while construction and metal processing often require higher tear and cut resistance.

Heat and Flame Protection: The Role of EN 407

Whenever heat is involved — welding, metalworking, furnaces, industrial cutting — EN 407 becomes the essential standard. It evaluates how well a glove withstands flame exposure, contact heat, radiant heat, convective heat and molten metal. These categories exist because heat hazards behave differently: some burn instantly, some travel through air and some transfer through direct contact.

A glove suited for welding, for instance, must handle sparks and radiant heat, while a glove for furnace work may prioritize resistance to higher contact temperatures. Understanding these distinctions ensures workers are protected from the specific heat source they face.

When Chemicals Are the Threat: EN 374

Chemical protection is a different world. A glove that performs well against cuts or abrasion may completely fail when exposed to solvents, acids or oils. EN 374 classifies gloves according to the number of chemicals they resist and the duration of protection.

Type A gloves offer the broadest resistance, often used in laboratories, paint environments or solvent-heavy industries. Type B provides moderate protection suitable for cleaning chemicals or hygiene tasks, while Type C offers basic resistance for lighter duties. Each chemical is represented by a letter code, making it easier to identify which substances a glove can handle safely.

Cold Conditions and EN 511

Workers in cold storage, food logistics or winter outdoor environments face a completely different hazard: extreme cold. EN 511 evaluates how effectively gloves protect against low temperatures through contact and convective cold. Water penetration resistance is also included, since moisture drastically increases the risk of cold injuries.

These gloves must keep hands warm without compromising movement — a difficult balance that EN 511 helps define.

Choosing the Right Glove: What Matters Most

Selecting a glove is about more than reading a label. It requires considering the work environment, the tools used, the temperature, the materials handled and the level of dexterity required. A glove that is too thick may reduce accuracy, while one that is too thin may offer insufficient protection. Breathability, coating type, grip texture and fit all influence performance and safety.

Another common issue is glove overuse. Even certified gloves lose their protective qualities over time. Abrasion, chemicals, heat and repeated washing gradually break down materials. Replacing gloves at the right intervals is just as important as choosing the right pair in the first place.

Conclusion

Work gloves are a fundamental part of workplace safety, but their effectiveness depends on correct selection. Standards like EN 388, EN 407, EN 374 and EN 511 give workers and employers a clear framework for understanding protection levels across different environments. When the right glove is matched with the right task, the result is fewer accidents, greater comfort and a stronger safety culture.