Guide to Electrician Safety Gloves
Wearing proper protective equipment is very important, especially when working with electrical circuits. A durable, reliable pair of gloves is a crucial piece of protective clothing. Check out PE Facts to learn how to maintain your gloves and stay protected!
Rubber insulating gloves are one of the most important pieces of personal protective clothing for electrical workers. For maximum protection, the gloves must be durable, flexible and have high dielectric and physical strength. For the best performance they should meet and/or exceed the current requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D120 specifications. Gloves should also be electrically tested following ASTM D120/IEC903 specifications.
A glove system usually consists of:
Rubber Insulating Gloves—are classified by the level of voltage and protection they provide.
Liner Gloves—are worn to reduce the discomfort of wearing rubber insulating gloves all year round. Liners provide warmth in cold weather, while they absorb perspiration in the warm months. These can have a straight cuff or knit wrist.
Leather Protector Gloves—should always be worn over rubber insulating gloves to provide the mechanical protection needed against cuts, abrasions and punctures. Look for those that are steam pressed on curved hand forms to ensure proper fit over rubber gloves.
Electrical-Protective Glove Classification
Employees who work closely with live electrical current may need a variety of insulating protective equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) addresses this in its Electrical Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1910.137) which outlines design requirements, as well as in-service care and use requirements for electrical-insulating gloves and sleeves, matting, insulating blankets, covers and line hoses. Electrical protective gloves are classified by the level of voltage protection they offer. Voltage protection is broken down into the following classes:
- Class 0—Maximum use voltage of 1,000 volts AC/proof tested to 5,000 volts AC.
- Class 1—Maximum use voltage of 7,500 volts AC/proof tested to 10,000 volts AC.
- Class 2—Maximum use voltage of 17,000 volts AC/proof tested to 20,000 volts AC.
- Class 3—Maximum use voltage of 26,500 volts AC/proof tested to 30,000 volts AC.
- Class 4—Maximum use voltage of 36,000 volts AC/proof tested to 40,000 volts AC.
Ozone resistance is another category of classification for gloves. This is designated by “Type”. A Type I glove is not ozone-resistant, while a Type II is ozone-resistant.
OSHA states that, “protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe, reliable condition”. This calls for gloves to be examined for any damage before every use. Gloves must also be inspected directly after any incident that may have damaged them. OSHA requires that an air test be given to insulating gloves along with the daily inspection.
Although OSHA requires air testing, it does not explain how to perform the test. The test method, however, is detailed in the ASTM F 496, Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves. Essentially, the glove is filled with air (manually or by an inflator) and checked for any leakage or holes. It is detected by either listening for escaping air or feeling the escaping air by holding the glove against the tester’s cheek.
According to the ASTM specifications for In-Service Care and Use of Rubber Gloves and Sleeves, during the air test, gloves and sleeves should not be expanded more than 1.5 times their regular size for type I, and 1.25 times their regular size for type II. These steps should then be repeated with the glove turned inside out.
In addition to this daily testing, OSHA states, “Electrical protective equipment shall be subjected to periodic electrical tests.” OSHA does not give a time frame for these tests, but ASTM F 496 does offer some direction. It requires that gloves being used in the field be electrically retested every six months.
Gloves must be put into use within 12 months of being electrically tested. See reference below for Testing Agency information.
OSHA acknowledges that gloves complying with the ASTM D 120-87, Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves, and ASTM F 496, Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves, meet their standards.
Inspection
To ensure the maximum level of insulating protection and guarantee a long life, it is absolutely necessary that gloves and sleeves are properly maintained.
Gloves and sleeves should be inspected for rips, tears, holes, ozone cutting, UV checking and signs of chemical deterioration before every use. Refer to ASTM F 1236, Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products for Additional Information.
Gloves and Sleeves should also be inspected for signs of damage due to chemical contamination, particularly from petroleum products. The first sign of contamination is swelling in the area of exposure. If any rubber equipment is exposed to chemical contaminants or has any other visible physical damage, it should be turned in for inspection, cleaning and electrical testing.
Sleeves are inspected as they are rolled since they cannot be filled with air. Rolling stretches the sleeve along an edge, making cuts, tears, ozone cutting and various other damages more visible. After inspecting the outside of the sleeve, the procedure should be repeated with the sleeve turned inside out.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q. Can I use the rubber glove alone, without the leather part?
A. You should always wear a leather protective glove over rubber insulating gloves to provide the necessary mechanical protection against cuts, abrasions, and punctures.
Q. Is re-testing necessary if I don’t use the gloves very often and visually see no damage?
A. Yes, you still need to re-test to confirm the integrity of the material and to guarantee electrical safety is maintained for the user.
Q. Can I just patch a hole, like a tire inner tube?
A. No, this does not comply with ASTM or OSHA Standards for Electrical Protective Gloves, and it would not pass Accredited Laboratory Testing.
Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.
