Professional Protective Gloves for Trade and Industry
How to Select Protective Gloves for Your Application
Replace gloves that have been permeated by chemicals even if they show no visible damage. Chemical permeation occurs at a molecular level — a glove that has been saturated through once has compromised barrier properties for subsequent exposures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the EN 388 numbers mean?
EN 388 rates mechanical hazards in four categories: abrasion (0-4), cut (0-5), tear (0-4), and puncture (0-4). The fifth and sixth digits (where present) cover additional cut resistance (ISO 13997 blade method) and impact protection. Higher numbers indicate greater protection.
Can I wash and reuse protective gloves?
This depends on glove type. Most fabric and leather gloves can be washed. Disposable nitrile or latex gloves are single-use only. Chemical-resistant gloves should be inspected for permeation after each use — wash if the manufacturer specifies it's safe to do so.
What gloves are best for general construction site use?
A general-purpose EN 388 glove with abrasion resistance of 3+ and cut resistance of 2+ covers most construction site handling tasks. For higher cut risk (steel fixing, glass handling), select Level C or D cut resistance.