EN388: 2016

Protection against mechanical risks

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The level of the glove protection against mechanical risks is represented by a pictogram followed by 4 digits and 1 letter which correspond to the performance levels.

Regarding the digits, the level goes from 0 to 4 or 5 depending on the risks. 0 beeing the weakest perfomance and 4 or 5 the highest.

Regarding the letter, the level goes from A to F depending on the risks. A beeing the weakest perfomance and F the highest.

If the indicated level is X, this means that the glove has not beeing tested against this mechanical risk.

Performance levels explanation of the norm EN 388:2016:

Performance level
0 1 2 3 4
A. Abrasion resistance (cycle)
<100
100
500
2000
8000

C. Couptest cut resistance (factor)
<1.2
1.2
2.5
5
10
20
T. Tear resistance (Newton)
<10
10
25
50
75

P. Resistance against perforation (Newton)
<20

20
60
100
150

Performance level  
A B C D E
S. TDM cut resistance (factor)
2
5
10
15
22
30

F. Impact resistance
Passed Failed

A letter of the pictogram: Abrasion resistance

It determines the abrasion resistance level. The material of the  glove is abraded with abrasive paper under pressure, the number of cycles necessary to tear the material is counted. The lowest level of performance is level 0 corresponding to less than 100 cycles, the highest is level 4 corresponding to 8000 cycles. The abrasive paper used today is Klingspor PL31B Grit 180.

C letter of the pictogram: Cut resistance by blade (trenching)

It determines the cut resistance by blade by counting the number of cycles necessary for a circular blade rotating at constant speed, in reciprocity, with a constant pressure of 5N (approximately 500g) to cut the glove. This method that evaluates the glove cut resistance is the so-called method of Couplets.

T letter of the pictogram: Tear resistance

It determines the force needed to tear the glove. An incision is made in the material of the glove, the force required to tear the material is then measured (in Newton, N). The lowest level of performance is level 0, corresponding to a force of less than 10 N. The highest level of performance is level 4, corresponding to a force of 75 N.

P letter of the pictogram: Resistance against perforation

It determines the force required to pierce the glove. A standard size tip is used at a given speed (10 cm/min). The force required to perforate the material is then measured. This force is measured in Newton (N). The lowest level of performance is level 0, corresponding to a force of less than 20 N, the highest level of performance is level 4, corresponding to a force of 150 N.                                 

S letter of the pictogram: Cut resistance according to EN ISO 13997

It determines the force required to cut the glove with a blade under a given pressure in a single displacement. The force required to cut the material is then measured. This force is measured in Newton, with a force ranging from 2 to 30 N. The lowest level of performance is level A, corresponding to a force of 2 N, the highest level of performance is level F, corresponding to a force of 30 N. This method for evaluating the resistance to cutting is the so-called TDM method. If the TDM test is not performed, the letter of the pictogram will be an "X".

(F) letter of the pictogram: Impact resistance according to EN 13594

It determines the protection of the glove against shocks. If the glove passes the test, the letter "F" will be added after the 4 digits and the letter under the pictogram.