Safety and Health

Fact Sheet No. 37 May 2008

© 2008 American Welding Society

Selecting Gloves for Welding and Cutting

INTRODUCTION

Welding gloves can protect you from • Flexible--allow easy movement and
electric shock, flames, hot parts, sharp or full range of motion.
flying metal, and arc rays. Proper gloves • Comfortable--proper fit and size.
are the first line of defense against the • Made with materials, seams, and
hand hazards of welding and cutting. ANSI edges that do not affect the health
Standard Z49.1 (see Information Sources) or safety of the user.
requires that all welders and cutters wear • Durable, tough, and long lasting.
protective gloves while working. Different • Cut, scrape, tear, and puncture
processes may use different gloves. Here resistant.
are some guidelines for selecting proper
gloves for welding and cutting. GLOVE MATERIALS
Many materials are available. Each has
NATURE OF THE HAZARD properties affecting its performance and
use. Here is a list of typical materials and
• Mechanical hazards that cause cuts, their useful characteristics:
scrapes, tears, and punctures.
• Thermal hazards such as heat, • Cowhide—tough, durable, flame
flames, hot parts, arc rays, fire, and heat resistant, with good
molten metal, spatter, slag, and electrical resistance when dry.
sparks. • Calfskin—better dexterity than
• Electrical hazards due to gloves that cowhide but not as tough.
are wet, torn, damaged, or have • Pigskin—flexible, oil resistant, quick
insulation failure. drying.
• Rubber— moisture proof, electrical
GLOVE REQUIREMENTS insulation.
• Treated Cotton—absorbent,
Gloves should be: lightweight, flexible.
• Aluminized—heat resistant, reflects
• Dry and moisture resistant. heat radiation.
• In good condition, no holes or tears. • Goatskin—light weight, comfortable,
• Flame resistant. superior dexterity, durable.
• Electrically and thermally insulated • Deerskin—good touch sensitivity.
to suit the process.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect,
consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this Safety and Health Fact Sheet.
AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

Fact Sheet No. 37 — 5/08 Page 1

GLOVE DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). Code of Federal
There are many different styles of gloves. Regulations, Title 29 Labor, Part 1910,
Some protect only the fingers and palms. available from U.S. Government Printing
Others protect the entire hand. Still others Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O.
protect the wrist and forearm as well. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250–7954
Some gloves have combinations of (phone: 800–321–6742,website:
material, such as cowhide palms and www.osha.gov).
pigskin backs. One pair of gloves may not
be suitable for all processes. For example, National Fire Protection Association
gloves that are proper for low current Gas (NFPA). Standard for Fire Prevention
Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) (thin and during Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot
flexible) would not be proper for high- Work, 51B, available from National Fire
current Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch
(insulated, tough, and durable). Park, Quincy, MA 02269–9101 (phone:
800–344–3555, website: www.nfpa.org).
Always use gloves as recommended by
the manufacturer. Follow the provided NOTE: All the following European
instructions. Improper use may lead to Standards are available from the British
injury if the gloves do not provide the Standards Institution (BSI), 389 Chiswick
needed protection. Check with your Safety High Road, London, England W4 4AL
Supervisor or Supplier. Be sure you have (phone: +44 (0)20 8996 9001, fax: +44
the right gloves for the job. (0)20 8996 7001, website: www.bsi-
global.com).
SUMMARY: HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT
GLOVES FOR THE JOB EN 388: 2003. Protective Gloves against
Mechanical Risks.
• Know the job.
• Know the process. EN 407: 2004. Protective Gloves against
• Review the equipment. Thermal Risks.
• Determine the specific hazards.
• Match the gloves to the needs and EN 420:2003. Protective Gloves—
hazards of the work. General Requirements and Test Methods.
• For help, ask your supervisor or
supplier. EN 12477: 2001. Protective Gloves for
Welders.
INFORMATION SOURCES
EN 60903: 2003. Live Working - Gloves
American National Standards Institute of Insulating Material.
(ANSI). Safety in Welding, Cutting, and
Allied Processes, Z49.1, available from EN 702: 1994. Protective Clothing—
American Welding Society, 550 N.W. Protection against Heat and Flame.
LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (phone:
800–443–9353, website: www.aws.org). EN 1149-2: 1997. Protective Clothing—
Electrostatic Properties.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect,
consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this Safety and Health Fact Sheet.
AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

Fact Sheet No. 37 — 5/08 Page 2