Testing is key to Lineman Glove protection
February 23, 2010
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One of the first lines of defense when it comes to preventing contact with energized electrical components and/or electrical power lines are rubber insulating gloves, commonly known as Lineman Gloves. Like all PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), lineman gloves must meet the requirements of the current ASTM D120 specifications and NFPA 70E standards. OSHA enforces these requirements as a part of their CFR 1910.137 regulation. These standards dictate manufacturing criteria as well as testing and retesting requirements for Lineman Gloves.
OSHA requires the use of rubber insulated gloves for those persons working on or near energized circuits and/or other electrical sources that are considered either high or low-voltage applications. That means there are many other occupations that need to use rubber insulated gloves as well, such as HVAC Technicians, Automotive Technicians, Electricians, Maintenance Mechanics, Railway Technicians, and even Telecommunications personnel.
Types & Testing
Electrical rated rubber gloves are categorized by the amount of AC and DC voltage they have been proof-tested to, in addition to the designated maximum-use voltage. The voltage protection is referenced as a Class rating which is broken down starting with Class 00 having the lowest voltage protection up to Class 4 which has the highest voltage rating. The chart below indicates ASTM classifications and the specific proof testing voltage as well as the maximum use voltage ratings.
Class Proof-tested Maximum-use Voltage
AC DC AC DC
Class 00 2,500 10,000 500 750
Class 0 5,000 20,000 1,000 1,500
Class 1 10,000 40,000 7,500 11,250
Class 2 20,000 50,000 17,000 25,500
Class 3 30,000 60,000 26,000 39,000
Class 4 40,000 70,000 36,000 54,000
For further information consult OSHA’s Electrical Safety Standards at http://www.osha.gov/
