b'EN STANDARDS GUIDE FOR GLOVESEN STANDARDS GUIDE FOR GLOVES PPE - HAND PROTECTIONThe International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) help classify specific product attributes and communicate the quality and protection levels of personal protection equipment. The standards are designed to assist managers in the provision and maintenance of workplace safety levels.The elimination of health and safety workplace hazards is mandated by government legislation. Where they cannot be eliminated, employers are responsible for reducing hazards to a minimum as is reasonably practical. As a result, they have implemented a number of identical standards to those used in Europe.For example, standard EN420 (AS/NZS 2161.2:1998) - OccupationalEN Protection Standards Protective Gloves, General Requirements - defines requirements for all protective gloves (except electrical and medical gloves) forChemicalCold Protection Mechanical glove construction, cleaning, comfort and efficiency, marking andProtection Protectioninformation. While the majority of the Australian/New Zealand occupational glove standards are identical to the European standards, there are instances where the European standard has been revised,Low ChemicalRadioactiveMicro-Resistance Contamination Organismsbut the Australian/New Zealand standard has not been changed. This is why, for example, the protection against cold standard AS/NZS 2161.5:1998 is not the same as the European cold standardHeatIonizing EN511:2006. The requirements are similar but the two standards useProtection Radiationdifferent testing methodologies.Above is a guide to pictograms used for the EN Standards.EXPLAINING THE THREE RISK CATEGORIES ACCORDING TO EN LEGISLATIONThe PPE directive 89/686/EEC specifies two classes of glove meeting two levels of risk: minimal and mortal or irreversible risk. A risk which falls between the two levels may be described as intermediate. A system of marking has been developed to identify the level of risk to help you select gloves of the appropriate class.Risk Category I: Gloves of Simple DesignRisk Category II: Gloves of IntermediateRisk Category III: Gloves of Complex Design For Minimal Risk Only Design For Intermediate Risk For Irreversible Or Mortal RiskFor gloves of simple design offering protectionGloves designed to protect against intermediateGloves designed to protect against the highest from low level risks, e.g. janitorial gloves,risk, e.g. general handling gloves requiringlevels of risk e.g. chemicals, must also be manufacturers are permitted to test and certifygood cut, puncture and abrasion performance,tested and certified by a notified body. In gloves internally (i.e. there is no requirementmust be subjected to independent testingaddition, the quality assurance system used by for testing and certification by an independentand certification by a notified body. Only thesethe manufacturer to guarantee homogeneity body). approved bodies may issue a CE mark, withoutof production or the quality consistency testing which the gloves may not be sold. of the final product must be independently Each notified body has its own identificationchecked. The body carrying out this evaluation number. The name and address of the notifiedwill be identified by a number which must body that certifies the product has to appearappear alongside the CE mark on the instructions for use that will accompany(in this case, 0493).the gloves.Gloves of this category are CE marked as indicated. Gloves of complex design are CE marked as indicated.EN STANDARDS IN DETAILStandard EN 420: - General Requirements For Protective GlovesRelevant Australian Standard: AS/NZS 2161.2:1998This pictogram indicates that the user has to consult the instructions for use.Note: The CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark, certifying that a product has met the European Unions consumer, safety and/or environmental requirements. The initials CE do not stand for any specific words.Material Courtesy of AnsellCLICK&COLLECT118 Call 132 100 or shop rsea.com.au FREE Pick-up from our Stores'