What is EN 511:2010?

EN 511:2010 is a technical standard that defines the requirements for protective gloves against cold. It is particularly relevant in industries where workers are exposed to low temperatures, such as refrigeration, outdoor construction, and cold storage facilities. The standard specifies performance levels for glove insulation against convective and contact cold as well as water permeability resistance. These requirements enable employers to select appropriate gloves that provide adequate protection to their workers.

Glove Insulation Performance Levels

One of the key aspects of EN 511:2010 is the classification of gloves based on their insulation performance. It uses a three-digit code system to represent the levels of protection offered by the gloves in three different categories.

The first digit represents the convective cold resistance, which measures the ability of the glove to reduce or delay heat loss through air movement. The higher the digit, the better the glove's convective cold resistance. For example, a glove with a rating of 0 provides no protection against convective cold, while a glove with a rating of 4 offers excellent resistance.

The second digit signifies the contact cold resistance, indicating the glove's ability to withstand direct contact with a cold surface. Again, a higher digit indicates a greater level of protection. Gloves with a rating of 0 offer no protection against contact cold, whereas those with a rating of 4 provide excellent resistance.

Water Permeability Resistance

In addition to insulation performance, EN 511:2010 also assesses the water permeability resistance of gloves. This determines how effectively the gloves can resist the penetration of water. The water penetration test involves filling the glove with water and observing any leakage over time. Gloves are then assigned a score from 0 to 1, with a rating of 0 indicating water penetration and a rating of 1 indicating full water resistance.

It's important for employers to carefully consider the environmental conditions in which their workers operate to select gloves that offer adequate protection. EN 511:2010 provides a standardized approach to evaluating glove performance and helps ensure the safety and well-being of workers operating in cold environments.