Buyers Beware
A friend recently shared a safety concern with me regarding “insulated electricians’ gloves” he had stumbled across.
The sellers claim the gloves provide workers with insulation from electric shock and are also flame-retardant (FR). At face value, buyers are offered a product with an assertion of protection against hazards from shock and arc flash. It projects an image of PPE that offers the best of both worlds wrapped in a single inexpensive package.
To lure unsuspecting customers, the sellers promote their products with catchy phrases such as “rated for high voltage,” “voltage resistant,” “designed for electrical work,” “flame retardant,” “prevents shock,” and a host of other alluring descriptions. Many boast that their gloves carry a “Proof Voltage Test” but do not reveal what this actually means.
Images 1 and 2 show only two examples of the plethora of the various styles and colors of these so-called Insulated Electricians or Linemen Gloves available online. The pair on the left supposedly offers insulation up to 500 volts while the set on the right claims the same for up to 1kV. However, other glove providers throughout the internet boast of protection up to the medium voltage range of 16kV.
Markings and Symbols Do Not Validate Protective Attributes
Some may ask, “Why are these gloves so dangerous? Doesn’t the image of a lightning bolt on the product assure that it meets some kind of electrical safety standard?” or “I’ve read the specs, and they appear to meet some standard, so they should be safe, right?”
These are all very good questions and normal conclusions; however, what you see and what you are told aren’t always factual.
First, a stamped image or symbol on personal protective equipment (PPE) in and of itself without any further reference to an established standard does not provide any validation of its protective attributes or safety rating. These markings are merely marketing gimmicks.
As for the image of the lightning bolt enclosed within a circle or triangle, this is an international symbol for warning labels and signs of electrical hazards according to ISO 7010 or IEC 60417. It carries no safety value as it relates to PPE, other than maybe a concealed warning of serious injury or death if you use them. But even when recognized, safety standards are referenced in the description. “Trust but verify” is always advised.
When it comes to PPE standards, you must methodically review the product’s specifications to ensure it meets all the correct safety standards for that particular PPE. Furthermore, you should also contact the seller for certified copies of the testing reports. Any hesitation to provide this information is a huge red flag.
For rubber voltage rated (VR) insulating gloves, ASTM D120 – Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves is the recognized standard for use in the U.S. and Canada. But the leather protectors designed to be worn over the rubber gloves are covered by ASTM F696 – Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens rating.
There are now available non-leather protectors that are addressed by ASTM F3258 – Standard Specification for Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves Meeting Specific Performance Requirements. But please note, while the protectors for use with rubber gloves may look very similar to typical work gloves, they are not the same and are not interchangeable.
Alternatively, work gloves meant to be worn directly over the hands containing an arc flash rating offers no protection against electric shock. They will carry the ASTM F2675/F2675M – Standard Test Method for Determining Arc Rating of Hand Protective Products Developed and Used for Electrical Arc Flash Protection as the relevant standard.
As you can see, each PPE component has its own specific standard because they provide different safeguards.
FR Is Not Equal to AR
If you’ve ever attended an e-Hazard Low Voltage Training class, you will recall products that carry an “FR” designation does not necessarily mean it is Arc Rated (AR) for protection against arc flash hazards. In fact, laboratory testing of many common flame-retardant and flame-resistant (FR) products has shown they not only easily ignite but will also quickly melt when exposed to the tremendous heat energy release during an electric arc flash.
When the hot molten fabric sticks to the skin, it continues to transfer heat even after the flames are extinguished, thus severely exacerbating burn injuries. While AR products will always exceed the FR testing requirements, the reverse is oftentimes not the case.
OSHA Identifies the Correct Standards
Secondly, OSHA 1910.137 under Subpart I establishes the laws and regulations for Electrical Protective Equipment or “EPE” used to protect against electric shock in U.S. workplaces. It not only covers rubber insulating gloves but all other types of rubber insulating products, such as rubber sleeves, blankets, line hoses, switch board matting, etc.
OSHA references several ASTM standards, including ASTM D120 for rubber insulating gloves, which establishes six classifications for the maximum voltage they can be used on with the corresponding label color as shown by Table 1.
ASTM D120 also prescribes dielectric proof testing with ac or dc voltages before first issue, at retesting intervals not to exceed six months once it has been placed into service, if insulation quality is suspect, and when used without protectors.
The users of the rubber insulating gloves must also perform a pre-use visual inspection for damage followed by an air “roll” testing. D120 additionally lists the necessary glove lengths, the minimum spacing gap between the cuff of the rubber glove and the cuff of the protector along with a host of other critical attributes that ensures the PPE will do their job.
Counterfeit Electrical PPE is Dangerous
It is not an exaggeration to say such bogus products and deceptive marketing are dangerous. Buyers must beware whenever procuring PPE for the workplace because such counterfeit products abound in today’s environment of simple “one click” cyber shopping at bargain prices. As you have probably guessed, these inexpensively priced gloves are readily available through many common and well-known online sources.
Avoid purchasing any PPE, but especially electrical PPE, from unknown sellers offering you significant price discounts, regardless of the positive reviews from buyers because most reviewers limit their assessments on comfort and use.
Even when the reviews affirm the gloves were successfully used on an energized part without being shocked, this does not mean they are safe or compliant because incidental shock protection is not the same as intentional shock protection.
Limit your supply chain sources to reputable companies with established histories for providing genuine safety products. You may pay a little more up front, but you will be guaranteed of the PPE’s authenticity. Any monetary savings by purchasing questionable PPE at “screaming deal pricing” will quickly evaporate as soon as it fails and an employee is injured. The actual financial impact will be fully realized when the astronomical medical expenses are followed by the subsequent legal ramifications, including attorney fees, fines, and civil actions.
Lastly, while PPE holds the lowest position of effectiveness according to the hierarchy of risk controls per NFPA 70E, 110.3(H)(3), it does not minimize its importance. PPE is often described as “the last line of defense” which has prevented untold numbers of injuries and deaths, but PPE can only do so if it’s the Real McCoy.
NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®, NEC® , 70E®, and Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
