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COPYRIGHT 2004 CMP Information Ltd.
When it comes to safety gloves the range to choose from is huge, so specifiers need to be sure to select the right gloves for the job to prevent injuries to the wearer. One criterion on which decisions can be based is compliance of products to British and European standards. A new standard governing one aspect of glove safety--heat resistance--has just been released, so Brian Bennett explains its main provisions and how it differs from the previous standard.
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HEAT-RESISTANT GLOVES HAVE BEEN USED FOR MANY years and pre-date more recent types of safety gloves, such as those designed for chemical and cut resistance. They are used in a wide range of applications, from handling hot plates and food containers in kitchens to more severe tasks, such as fire-fighting and handling molten metal. As a result, there are many types of heat-resistant glove available, ranging from relatively lightweight gloves to very heavy mitts for very high temperatures. As some might melt or burn if used in the wrong context it is very important to use the correct glove for the job.
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The most important standard for heat-resistant gloves is the European standard known as EN407. It can be used in its own right but it is also used as the basis for other heat-resistant glove standards. The latest version of this standard for heat-resistant gloves has just been released and will be referred to as BS EN407:2004 in the UK. There are a couple of significant differences between this and the original standard, which was released in 1994, but before looking at those specifically, it is useful to examine generally the hazards associated with heat using the new standard as a background.
There are three modes of heat transmission--conductive, convective and radiant--but once the outside surface of the glove becomes hot the major mode of heat transmission is likely to be conductive, as most heat-resistant gloves are made from...
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