Key Takeaways
The ISO 374-1 standard provides internationally recognized requirements for testing and classifying gloves protecting against hazardous chemicals and microorganisms.
It evaluates gloves based on resistance to chemical permeation (breakthrough time), penetration (leaks), and degradation (physical changes).
Gloves are classified into Type A, Type B, or Type C based on their permeation resistance against a list of 18 standard challenge chemicals.
Compliance markings include a beaker pictogram, the glove type (A, B, or C), and specific chemical resistance codes (for Types A & B). Microorganism protection falls under EN 374-5, often indicated alongside ISO 374-1 compliance.
Selecting the correct glove involves assessing chemical hazards (using SDS), required protection duration, task demands (dexterity, grip), and consulting manufacturer’s detailed performance data.
What Purpose does the ISO 374-1 Standard Serve?
The ISO 374-1 standard sets out globally accepted requirements for gloves meant to protect users from risky chemicals and microorganisms. Really, its main job is to create a uniform way to test and classify how well gloves perform, making sure they offer at least a basic level of safety against particular dangers.
This standard not only guides manufacturers in making effective gloves but also helps people like you and safety experts pick the right hand protection by using solid data on how gloves stand up to chemical risks such as permeation (seeping through), penetration (leaking), and degradation (breaking down).
What specific hazards are evaluated by ISO 374-1 tests?
ISO 374-1 zeroes in on checking a glove’s toughness against three main chemical threats, along with its physical soundness which matters for both chemical and germ risks. The essential tests look at resistance to chemicals seeping through (permeation), resistance to chemicals and germs leaking through holes (penetration), and resistance to physical breakdown from chemical contact (degradation).
Together, these tests give a thorough picture of how glove material behaves and holds up against specific chemical challenges in lab settings.
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How does the permeation test determine chemical resistance?
The permeation test figures out how long it takes for a dangerous chemical to soak through the glove material on a molecular level – this duration is called the breakthrough time.
During the test, the glove’s outside surface is kept in constant touch with the chemical being tested, while monitors check the inside surface to see when the chemical first appears. Gloves with longer breakthrough times offer better resistance to that particular chemical.
The results slot into different performance levels, which are key for figuring out if a glove is suitable for jobs involving certain chemicals for specific amounts of time. The standard lays out six performance levels tied to the measured breakthrough time for a given chemical, offering a detailed way to gauge protection duration:
- Level 1: Breakthrough time ≥ 10 minutes,
- Level 2: Breakthrough time ≥ 30 minutes,
- Level 3: Breakthrough time ≥ 60 minutes,
- Level 4: Breakthrough time ≥ 120 minutes,
- Level 5: Breakthrough time ≥ 240 minutes,
- Level 6: Breakthrough time ≥ 480 minutes.
It’s worth noting that a level 0 means the breakthrough happened in under 10 minutes. Knowing these levels is vital for matching a glove’s performance to how long you expect to be exposed to a chemical during a task.
What does the penetration test check for?
Think of the penetration test as a quality check for the glove’s physical condition. It looks for tiny flaws like pinholes, weak seams, or other defects that chemicals or germs could sneak through.
Often, this means filling the glove with air or water and either dunking it or just looking closely for any leaks. To meet ISO 374-1 for chemical protection, a glove absolutely must pass this test (showing no leaks). It’s also the baseline requirement for claiming protection against bacteria and fungi under related standards like EN 374-5.
Why is the degradation test included?
The degradation test checks how much a glove’s material physically weakens after touching a specific chemical. Contact with chemicals can change a material’s properties – maybe it swells up, gets softer, becomes hard, or turns brittle.
Any of these changes can weaken the glove’s protective ability, even if the chemical hasn’t actually permeated through yet. This test usually involves measuring how the glove’s resistance to puncture changes after chemical exposure. Understanding degradation is crucial because a physically weakened glove might provide much less protection than expected or could fail suddenly while being used.
How does ISO 374-1 classify protective gloves?
ISO 374-1 sorts chemical protective gloves into three main categories – Type A, Type B, and Type C. This sorting depends on how well they resist permeation when tested against a specific list of 18 challenge chemicals (marked by code letters A through T). This system gives users a quick way to gauge the general level of chemical protection a glove offers based on how many chemicals it resists and for how long.
To get a Type A label, a glove needs to show at least Performance Level 2 permeation resistance (that’s a breakthrough time of 30 minutes or more) against a minimum of six chemicals from that standard list of 18. Type A gloves represent the broadest chemical resistance tested among the types. For Type B, the requirement is hitting that same Performance Level 2 (≥ 30 minutes) against at least three chemicals from the list; these gloves offer moderate resistance for situations with fewer, known chemical hazards.
Lastly, Type C gloves need to achieve at least Performance Level 1 (≥ 10 minutes breakthrough time) against just one chemical from the list, making them suitable for minimal splash risks rather than full immersion.
How does the standard address protection against microorganisms?
While ISO 374-1 is mainly about chemical dangers, it lays the groundwork for microorganism safety by demanding that gloves pass the penetration test (proving they don’t leak). This confirms the glove works as a solid physical barrier. However, specific claims about protection from bacteria, fungi, and viruses fall under related standards, particularly EN 374-5.
If a glove passes the ISO 374-1 penetration test, it can be marked as protecting against bacteria and fungi according to EN 374-5. For a glove to specifically claim it protects against viruses under EN 374-5, it needs more than just passing the standard penetration test; it must also pass a tougher test outlined in ISO 16604:2004 (Method B).
This uses a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria) to see if the material can block viral penetration even under pressure. Only gloves that pass this specific hurdle can display the “VIRUS” label next to the microorganism symbol.
What markings indicate compliance with ISO 374-1?
Gloves that meet the ISO 374-1 standard must have clear markings showing what they can do. The main symbol is the chemical protection pictogram, which looks like a beaker. Right below this symbol, you’ll find the glove type (Type A, Type B, or Type C).
For Type A and Type B gloves, the code letters (A to T) for the specific chemicals they passed the tests against are listed under the type designation. Type C gloves just show the beaker pictogram and “Type C”, without any chemical letters. You might also see markings for microorganism protection (a biohazard symbol, sometimes with the word “VIRUS”) if the glove also meets EN 374-5 requirements.
What are key updates in the ISO 374-1:2024 revision?
The ISO 374-1:2024 standard is the latest version, updating and taking the place of older ones like ISO 374-1:2016. Although the basic ideas haven’t changed much, revisions like this often fine-tune testing methods, potentially tweak the list of test chemicals, or clarify the classification rules to keep pace with new scientific knowledge and what the industry needs.
These updates help make the standard more reliable and relevant, ensuring it remains a useful guide for checking chemical protective gloves in today’s workplaces. It’s always best practice to check the requirements of the current version (ISO 374-1:2024) when looking for compliant gloves or ensuring selection criteria are up-to-date.
Gloves meeting this standard are vital pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) across many industries where workers might encounter hazardous chemicals or germs. You’ll commonly find them used in:
- Laboratories (research, clinical, analysis),
- Chemical manufacturing and handling,
- Agriculture (when using pesticides, fertilizers),
- Healthcare (for disinfectants, chemotherapy drugs, biological samples),
- Automotive work (dealing with solvents, oils, paints),
- Cleaning and sanitation jobs,
- The oil and gas sector,
- Emergency response situations (like HAZMAT teams).
The standard’s A, B, C classification helps tailor glove choice to the specific risks found in these different settings.
How can users select the correct ISO 374-1 gloves for their task?
Picking the right ISO 374-1 glove starts with a good look at the risks involved. You need to pinpoint the exact hazardous chemicals you’ll be working with and know their concentrations.
Figure out how long you’ll need protection, thinking about the worst-case exposure time for the task. Then, compare this info with the manufacturer’s data for specific glove models. Pay close attention to the glove type (A, B, or C), the specific chemicals it was tested against (check the code letters), the permeation performance levels achieved (1-6), and any notes on degradation.
Don’t forget practical factors either – things like needing good dexterity, comfort, grip, and whether the glove might get physically damaged (cuts, punctures) should also play a part in your final decision. Manufacturers claiming their gloves meet ISO 374-1 must provide detailed user instructions. This documentation should cover:
- Results from permeation tests (which chemicals, breakthrough times, performance levels),
- Proof of passing the penetration test,
- Information about degradation when exposed to tested chemicals,
- Advice on proper use, storage, care, and disposal,
- Explanations of the markings and what they mean,
- Any usage limits (like not being suitable for certain chemical mixes or temperatures).
This information is absolutely essential for you to choose wisely and use the gloves safely.
Why consult Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before choosing gloves?
Checking the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the chemicals you’re handling is a really important first move in selecting gloves. Look at Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) – it often suggests the right kind of PPE, sometimes even pointing to specific glove materials, types, or standards like ISO 374-1.
The SDS clearly identifies the chemical hazards, helping you figure out the level of protection needed (like resistance to certain chemicals or how long the breakthrough time should be). You need this information to cross-reference with glove manufacturer data and make sure you’re getting an adequate match.
