Hand Protection

ANSI/ISEA 105

American National Standard for Hand Protection

This standard addresses the classification and testing of hand protection for specific performance properties related to chemical and industrial applications. Hand protection includes gloves, mittens, partial gloves, or other items covering the hand or a portion of the hand that is intended to provide protection against or resistance to a specific hazard.

5.1 Mechanical Protection

5.1.1 Cut Resistance

The new ASTM F2992-15 test replaces ASTM F1790-05 and ensures uniform testing plus increases the performance levels beyond the old level 5. The sample is cut 15 times by a straight edge blade, under load. A new blade is used for each cut. The data is then used to determine the required load to cut through the material and this, in turn, is equated to a cut level. The new levels are now prefixed with the letter A.

Table 1. Classification for Cut Resistance

5.1.2 Puncture Resistance

When tested in accordance with Clause 6.4 of EN 388:2003 Protective gloves against mechanical risks, the glove’s resistance against puncture shall be classified against the levels listed in Table 2, using the puncture force.

The average of a minimum of 12 specimens shall be used to report the classification level.

Table 2. Classification for Puncture Resistance

5.1.3 Abrasion Resistance

When tested in accordance with ASTM D3389-05, Standard Test Method for Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance of ASTM D3884-09, Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Rotary Platform, Double-Head Method), the gloves abrasion resistance shall be classified against the levels listed in Table 3 using the number of abrasion cycles to failure (test endpoint(. These test methods shall be followed using H-18 abrasion wheels with a 500-gram load for levels 0 to 3 and a 1000 gram load for levels 4 to 6. Using ASTM D3389-05 for coated glove fabrics or unsupported gloves, the endpoint at which the glove material is determined to fail shall be at the number of abrasion cycles just before the film or coating has a hole abraded through it. Using ASTM D3884-05 for coated glove fabrics, the endpoint shall be when the first thread or yarn is broken. The average of a minimum of 5 specimens shall be used to report the classification level.

Table 3. Classification for Abrasion Resistance

5.2 Chemical Protection

5.2.1 Chemical Permeation Resistance

When tested in accordance with ASTM F739-07, Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous Contact the gloves chemical permeation shall be classified against the levels listed in Table 4 using the average standard breakthrough time (for each chemical tested). The average of a minimum of 3 specimens shall be used to report the classification level. In reporting permeation data for each chemical the permeation rate shall be reported in ยต/cm2 that occurs within 1 hour of the test for each chemical.

Table 4. Classification for Chemical Permeation

5.4 Heat and Flame Protection

5.4.1 Ignition Resistance and Burning Behavior (or After-Flame Time)

When tested in accordance with ASTM F1358-08, Test Method for Effects of Flame Impingement on Materials Used in Protective Clothing Not Designated Primarily for Flame Protection, the glove materials ignition resistance and burning behavior shall be classified against the levels listed in Table 6, using ignition time and burn time. In order to be classified at a specific level, the glove material shall meet each of the criteria at that specific level. The average of a minimum of 3 specimens shall be used to report the classification level.

Table 6. Classification for Ignition Resistance and Burning Resistance

5.4.3 Conductive Heat Resistance

When tested in accordance with ASTMF1060-08 Test Method for Thermal Protective Performance of Materials for Protective Clothing for Hot Surface Contact, the gloves conductive heat resistance shall be classified against the levels listed in Table 8. Classification of glove performance shall be based on the contact (surface) temperature at which both the time-to-second degree burn is equal to or greater than 15 seconds, and the alarm time is greater than 4 seconds. The average of a minimum of 5 specimens shall be used to report the classification level.

Table 8. Classification for Conductive Heat Resistance

ASTM F2675-13

Test Method for Determining Arc Ratings of Hand Protection Products Developed and Used for Electrical Arc Flash Protection.

This test method is used to measure and describe the properties of hand protective products in response to convective and radiant energy generated by an electric arc under controlled laboratory conditions. There are 4 levels in the Hazard Risk Category rated by the ATPV (Arc Thermal Performance Value).

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