Technical Untangled: Understanding Cold Contact Protection

For workers in industries such as construction, scaffolding, or cold storage, where hands are frequently exposed to low temperatures, thermal protection is imperative. Choosing the correct hand protection not only keeps workers comfortable, but also reduces the risk of serious injuries, enabling them to safely perform their tasks within the workplace. The Cold Protection standard provides a clear indication of a glove's resistance to cold through contact, convective cold, and water penetration.

What is the Cold Protection Standard?

The Cold Protection Standard (often referenced by the European EN 511 standard it's based on) is an internationally recognized standard for cold-resistant gloves, defining the performance requirements to protect against cold- related hazards.

The standard evaluates three key properties, which are represented by a three-digit pictogram on the glove.

• Convective Cold: Identifying the glove's resistance to cold air.

• Contact Cold: Reviewing the glove's ability to withstand handling sub-zero materials.

• Water Permeability: Identifying if the gloves are waterproof.

The Cold Protection Test Method

To determine the thermal properties of a glove, there are 3 key tests that may be carried out as per the Cold Protection standard:

Conformance to this standard requires the glove to also meet certain mechanical requirements, typically referenced by the EN 388 Mechanical Risk standard. It must achieve level 1 for both the abrasion and tear resistance tests. For gloves rated Level 2 in either convective or contact cold, the abrasion and tear resistance must be a minimum of Level 2. The gloves must also comply with EN ISO 21420, which sets the general requirements for protective gloves, including design, comfort, and safety.

The Cold Protection Pictogram and Performance Levels

Cold Protection certified gloves feature a three-digit pictogram indicating their performance against the three cold-related hazards. Each digit corresponds to a specific test:

• Convective Cold Resistance (0-4): This is the glove's ability to insulate the hand from cold air. A higher number indicates better thermal insulation.

• Contact Cold Resistance (0-4): This measures the glove's protection when touching cold objects or surfaces. A higher number means better resistance to cold transfer.

• Water Penetration (0 or 1): This indicates if the glove is waterproof.

  • 1: No water penetrates the glove after 30 minutes.

  • 0: Water penetrates the glove.

  • X: The test was not performed.

Why Choose Cold Protection Certified Gloves?

Choosing a glove certified to the Cold Protection standard ensures it has been rigorously tested to an internationally recognized standard. This certification, combined with mechanical ratings like the EN 388 ratings, provides confidence that the product delivers reliable protection not only against cold but also common workplace hazards like abrasion, cuts, and punctures.

Always look for these markings on your gloves for assurance of the highest level of safety and performance in cold conditions.

View cold contact certified gloves here.