Do Insulating Gloves Provide Arc Flash Protection?

Published 30 Nov 2017

Electrical Safety Equipment | Insulating Gloves | Arc Flash Gloves

• uploaded by Chris Dodds - Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager

There are a lot of misconceptions about arc flash clothing and protection levels required including what actually is a flash of light or an arc of fire. Similar to an electric shock but not the same as usually there is not direct contact with electricity.

Arc flash is a serious issue with more than 30,000 incidents that result in 400 fatalities every year. So how can you protect your hands from this deadly killer and do insulating gloves provide arc flash protection? Or are special application arc flash gloves required?

The below Blog from Scanwear delves deeper into the issue.

One question that comes up all the time during electrical safety training is whether or not an electrician’s rubber insulating gloves offer any protection from Arc Flash?

Interestingly enough, even though you probably won’t find a label on the insulating glove that says so, rubber insulating gloves used in conjunction with leather protectors do offer sufficient protection from arc flash burns.

Now we are talking about arc flash protection but don’t forget why you are wearing the gloves in the first place. That needs to be your primary concern when it comes to protecting your hands. Once you’ve got that taken care of you can worry about arc flash.

Is This Legitimate?

The industry standard for electrical safety, NFPA70E, does not offer much information about how to size your gloves for arc flash protection or how to determine the incident energy rating for your gloves but we are led to believe that they have done some testing and feel comfortable saying that the rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors will protect you from an arc flash.

Here is what it says in the standard:

“If rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors are used, additional leather or arc-rated gloves shall not be required. The combination of rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors satisfies the arc flash protection requirement.”

That note applies to an arc flash PPE category of 4 which requires a minimum of 40 cal/cm2 protection. So that gives the user a good level of comfort that the gloves offer great protection from arc flash.

How Can You Prove It?

Up until June 2013, the amount of arc flash protection was determined by the thickness of the leather protectors. That year though a new standard for testing gloves was approved and testing started immediately. Because thickness of the gloves was not part of the criteria for meeting the standard manufacturers are now coming out with thinner leather gloves that still offer the maximum protection against arc flash.

Something you might want to look into with your supplier of arc flash clothing, garments and protection including helmets and gloves.

Also, traditional rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors were tested alongside some of the arc flash gloves which you may now see on the market and it was proven that they offer fantastic protection from arc flash. In case you are curious, the standard for testing gloves for arc flash is ASTM F2675-13.

Just remember, the main reason you are wearing the rubber insulating gloves is to protect against shock hazards. Fortunately, your regular rubber insulating gloves with leather protectors offer an excellent protection from an arc flash hazard and should always be worn, when there is a risk of a shock or an arc flash event.

Further Information  ➡ 

Arc Flash Gloves | 25 40 60 Cal Arc Flash Protection Gloves PPE

Arc Flash Gloves | 50 Cal Arc Flash Protection Gloves PPE

INSULATING GLOVES

Selection Of Correct Gloves 

Insulating gloves should be selected according to their class which corresponds to the voltage level used – additionally the gloves are classified into categories according to environmental resistance properties detailed below.

• Class
• Voltage
• Product colour
• Size – between 7-12 for either male of female use
• Classifications and standards

When selecting the correct insulating gloves all of the above factors are vital to consider in order to achieve the adequate level of protection required.

In addition, some gloves will also require an under-glove for comfort or a leather over-glove to maintain product longevity.

Inspection and storage of insulating gloves is also a vital factor to consider as all gloves must be visibly inspected after each inflation and before each use.

This is to make sure there are no tears or abrasion to the gloves prior to use, maintaining their dielectric properties.

Insulating rubber gloves are also categorised by environmental resistance properties for protection against acid, oil, o-zone and very low temperatures.

• A – Acid
• H – Oil
• Z – O-Zone
• R – Acid, Oil and O-Zone
• C – Very Low Temperatures

INSULATING GLOVES – CLASS & CATEGORY

The following gloves manufactured by CATU Electrical and T&D would normally recommend for mechanical protection they be used with silicon leather glove covers or over-gloves but in light of the above this might all change.

Insulating Matting | Voltage Detectors | Substation Safety MV HV

Arc Flash Learning & Resources

Thorne and Derrick are proud to be distributors of ProGARM arc flash coveralls and protection.

We can help – should you require arc flash calculators or advice on the type of clothing and protection available please do not hesitate to contact us.

ProGARM 4690 Coverall	ProGARM 4616 Trouser	ProGARM 5816 Trouser	ProGARM 7638 Trouser	ProGARM 6458 Coverall
ProGARM 7418 Trouser	ProGARM 7480 Coverall	ProGARM 5290 Polo Shirt	ProGARM 6444 Coverall	ProGARM 5286 Polo Shirt

Download Your Guide To Arc Flash Here

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Further Reading

• Arc Flash Gloves 25 40 60 Cal Arc Flash Protection Gloves PPE Size: 275.07 KB
• Arc Flash Gloves – 50 Cal Arc Flash Protection Gloves PPE Size: 347.59 KB