Rubber insulating gloves are the preferred choice as they are generally designed to protect against electrical hazards. Workers should always be properly equipped with the right combination of rubber insulating gloves and leather protectors because it only takes exposure to electricity greater than 500 volts to cause serious damage to the human body and organs. That's why it is important to understand the adverse side effects of electrical exposure before performing any electrical work.
While working around electricity, it’s considered standard practice to first perform lockout-tagout procedures to prevent unexpected energization, as this is the greatest form of control against electrical hazards.
Whether you're working with electricity on a construction site, as a utility worker, or even with your home improvement projects, there are many kinds of glove systems and combinations to consider. Here at Ansell, we generally recommend wearing leather protector gloves over rubber insulating gloves, when protection from cuts, punctures, abrasions, and other external damages is required.
In any situation where the nature of electrical hazards may vary, workers should also be wearing gloves that are rated for both arc flash and flame resistance.
The automotive industry, for example, has become more complex over the years and now involves more parts and electrical components than ever before. Since 2017 the electric vehicle (EV) market has seen tremendous growth with EVs becoming a more viable option for new car buyers. For manufacturing workers, this has led to an increased need for protection from electric shock, arc flash, and other heat-related injuries. To meet these modern specifications, Ansell offers a unique range of electrical safety gloves that are stringently tested in accordance with NFPA 70E Arc Flash requirements to deliver additional heat resistance and protection against hazards such as electrocution and electrical burns.
Choosing the right type of glove may seem daunting at first, but it is much easier than it seems.
Firstly, it is important to determine the maximum voltage that you may be exposed to, then choose a class of glove rated at or above that voltage.
Low Voltage:Ansell electrical insulating gloves are made from natural rubber latex and feature a proprietary environmentally friendly dipping process that delivers superior flexibility and an excellent grip.
Our manufacturing facility adheres to two global accreditation standards, the EN6093 for Europe and ASTM D120 for America, which ensure the worker has the safest glove for the job. Ansell electrical insulating gloves provide high-quality protection and performance in challenging environments where protection against electricity is of utmost importance.
ASTM D120 states that gloves have one year of usage from the issue date.
Unissued gloves that exceed the test date by 12 months must be retested. Gloves will need to be visually and electrically tested per the ASTM F496, six months after the original issue date.
OSHA 1910.137 is in line with ASTM D120 for non-telecom users.
Meanwhile, telecom users may follow OSHA 1910.268 which requires electrical testing before first use and further testing again after six months and every six months thereafter.
Workers are required to visually inspect for cuts, holes, or any form of deterioration, and they must perform air inflation tests to find unseen pinholes.
Lastly, all gloves must be used within recommended test periods.
Proper storage is necessary to ensure no damage to the glove. It should be stored in a canvas bag to avoid excessive sunlight or sources of ozone that may damage the glove.
When storing, do not fold, crease, turn inside out, compress, or stretch the gloves in any form. If the glove is inspected and still contains residue, the glove should be re-cleaned to avoid further damage. Wash with soap and rinse thoroughly with water. Be sure to air dry the glove at less than 120°F before storing them in a canvas bag.
All gloves must be stored in their original packaging with the desired ambient storage temperature of no less than 95°F.
Ansell shall replace unused gloves, which at any time within nine months from the delivery date, have failed to pass the required tests.
This guarantee only applies if storage conditions have been met, and the glove has not been subjected to more than an original acceptance test and one retest.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly 2,000 electric burns and electrocution injuries that occurred in 2019 alone.1
On top of that, burn injuries including electrical burns, can now cost an organization up to $48,000 in compensations according to a recent report from the National Safety Council.2 This means that apart from serious risks with electric hazards, the cost has also become a major consideration when workers are not equipped with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Ansell electrical protective gloves are designed for workers who need protection from working on or near energized parts. Ansell electrical protective gloves allow workers to perform tasks with dexterity, all-day comfort, and reliable hand protection. View Ansell’s vast portfolio below.
View products now
(1) 2019 US Bureau of Labor Statistics
(2) National Safety Council for the cost $ figure