WINTER WORKING GLOVES & EN511

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A cold environment challenges the worker in a few ways: air temperature, air movement (wind speed), and humidity (wetness). To work safely, these challenges must be carefully monitored by physical activity and by controlled exposure to cold (work/rest schedule), more importantly, by proper PPE insulation. From the hand safety perspective, It is highly recommended to pick up EN511:2006 winter certified working gloves with a known cold protection level to prevent everyone from getting cold, acute diseases.

The EN511:2006 standard

EN511
EN-511

ABC

Under the EN511 symbol are three digits symbolizing different protection levels. Only EN511 certified gloves are allowed to display a snowflake symbol on the glove.

A - CONVECTIVE COLD RESISTANCE

B - CONTACT COLD RESISTANCE

C - WATER PENETRATION

EN511:2006 is a series of standardized tests for gloves to give indications of the protection against cold. The standard includes two specific tests for assessing thermal insulation: convective cold and contact cold plus other low-temperature performance tests in addition to requirements from EN 388 and EN 420.

Convective Cold Test

EN-511

XXX

Value: 0-4, the most resistant is 4

Convective cold is the process of losing heat through the movement of air or water on the skin. This test measures the glove´s thermal insulation properties when exposed to cold winds. The number indicates the protection level between 0 to 4. The highest level of protection is 4.

Protection level (low to high)	0	1	2	3	4
Thermal insulation ITR (m².°C/W)	≤ 0.10	> 0.10 ≤ 0.15	> 0.15 ≤ 0.22	> 0.22 ≤ 0.30	≥ 0.30

Conductive Cold Test

EN-511

XXX

Value: 0-4, the most resistant is 4

Conductive cold or contact cold is the losing heat process through physical contact with another object such as a snowball. This test measures the glove´s thermal resistance when exposed to contact with a cold object with a number between 0 to 4. The highest level of protection is 4.

Protection level (low to high)	0	1	2	3	4
Contact cold thermal resistance R (m².°C/W)	≤ 0.025	> 0.025 ≤ 0.050	> 0.050 ≤ 0.1	> 0.1 ≤ 0.15	≥ 0.15

WATER PERMEABILITY TEST

EN-511

XXX

Value: 0-1, the gloves stay dry after 30 minutes

Water permeation is a test with an indication if the glove is waterproof. The number is either

0 = water penetration after 30 minutes of exposure

1 = no water penetration.

The highest level of protection is 1. However, gloves tested with a 0 rating can still have waterproof properties for less than 30 minutes.

Values	0	1
Water penetration	Water penetrates within 30 minutes	Water does not penetrate within 30 minutes

Still find the explanation confusing? Soft Touch has made a video for a better understanding.

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