Many times, the only thing standing between you and a high-voltage jolt are your gloves. Selecting the right electrical-insulating gloves can provide protection from electrical current when working on energized electrical equipment. Check out these five important electrical safety glove tips that can help prevent electric shocks.
1. Test at Required Intervals
According to OSHA in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.137(c)(2)(viii), all electrical protective equipment, including electrical gloves, must be subjected to periodic electrical tests. Test voltages are provided in Table I-4 and test intervals are given in Table I-5 .
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In accordance with Table I-5, rubber insulating gloves must be tested before first issue and every six months thereafter or upon indication that the insulating value is suspect, after repair, after use without protectors and when showing any signs of the defects upon inspection.
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Also, if the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not issued for service, the insulating equipment may not be placed into service unless it has been electrically tested within the previous 12 months.
These testing intervals can sometimes be a little confusing to interpret. Here’s an example: You’re considering using your electrical gloves for the first time on March 1, 2022, and notice the date stamp is February 27, 2021. Would you need to get the gloves retested before use? Yes, because you haven’t put the gloves into service within the allowable 12-month window. But, if the date stamp read March 2, 2021, you could use them and wouldn’t need to retest them until six months after you put them into service on March 1, 2021.
All glove manufacturers incorporate some form of production code or date coding to indicate the testing date.
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For additional information on the in-service care, inspection, testing, and use voltage of electrical gloves, refer to ASTM F496-20.
2. Use Accredited Test Labs
Gloves should be sent to an accredited laboratory for retesting. Grainger offers glove retesting and other environmental, health and safety services, or you can use another testing laboratory accredited by North American Independent Laboratories (NAIL) for Protective Equipment Testing.
3. Use Gloves from the Right Classification
OSHA outlines electrical protective equipment in 29 CFR 1910.137. Electrical safety gloves are categorized by the level of voltage protection they provide and whether or not they are resistant to ozone. The voltage breakdown is as follows:
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