Page 22 - OHS, November/December 2022

PPE: HAND PROTECTION
To help you choose the right winter glove, below are some commonly used insulation materials and more information on Thinsulate gram weight:
Cotton flannel liners. These are very basic and not recommended as they tend to get damp or wet quickly.
Fleece. Fleece is good at holding in the heat and quickly dries thanks to the combination of wool and synthetic fibers.
40-gram Thinsulate liner. Typically used for dexterity, cool conditions and higher activity levels.
80-gram to 100-gram Thinsulate liner. This liner is great for the average winter day above 20 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate activity levels.
150-gram to 200-gram Thinsulate liner. To be used in freezing conditions below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and very light activity levels.
400-gram Thinsulate liner. Ideal for extreme Arctic cold environments in places like Canada, Alaska, Antarctica and Russia where staff are required to work in painfully low temperatures between 28- and 38-degrees Fahrenheit.
Never Overlook Comfort and a Proper Fit
Winter gloves should fit your hand properly because tight gloves can compromise circulation and increase sweating, which makes your hands cold and uncomfortable.
Poorly fitted gloves also diminish dexterity and grip. Loose gloves can get caught in machinery and are just as uncomfortable
as gloves that are too tight. Make sure the winter glove you choose for your safety program is comfortable and is offered in a variety of sizes to fit workers’ hands.
Your winter glove should also have a good cuff that can fit over your jacket sleeve. An extended gauntlet cuff with hook and loop closure offers additional protection to keep snow from creeping into your glove.
How to Use the EN 511 Tested Glove Standard
The EN 511 is the European test to assess thermal gloves that offer protection against cold working conditions and water.
The EN 511 standard tests for: ■ Convective cold
■ Contact cold
■ Water permeability
The results of the three tests can be found either on the back of the glove, in the conformity statement or in the product listing. Knowing what the EN 511 test rating is will help you decide how the glove will perform in the cold and its ability to resist water.
The symbol for EN511 is a shield icon with a snowflake in the middle and three numbers below the shield. The first number is related to the test for thermal insulation against Convective Cold. This test shows how well a glove will insulate and maintain your hand temperature against the surrounding cold air. It helps determine what temperature the gloves can be used in.
Circle 14 on card.
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