Safety Glove FAQs 

 

Straight answers to the questions we get asked most, from glove standards and certification to choosing, caring for and replacing welding gloves. Can't find your question? Talk to your Elliotts rep or call 07 3265 2944.

 

Glove standards and certification

 

What is the Australian standard for gloves?

 

Occupational protective gloves in Australia and New Zealand are covered by the AS/NZS 2161 series. Each part deals with a different hazard or requirement, and most are based on European (EN) or international (ISO) standards.

 

Some parts are identical to the current European edition. AS/NZS 2161.3:2020, for example, is identical to EN 388:2016+A1:2018. Others are based on older editions: AS/NZS 2161.4:1999, the thermal standard, is based on an earlier edition of EN 407. So when you compare gloves, check the edition year as well as the standard number.

 

What are the most common glove standards?

 

• AS/NZS 2161.2:2020 (ISO 21420:2020): general requirements for all protective gloves, including sizing, dexterity and marking
• AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 (EN 388:2016+A1:2018): mechanical risks: abrasion, cut, tear, puncture and impact
• EN 407:2020: heat and flame. The Australian equivalent, AS/NZS 2161.4:1999, is based on an earlier edition
• EN 12477:2001+A1:2005: gloves for welders, Type A and Type B
• EN 511:2006: protection against cold. The Australian equivalent is AS/NZS 2161.5:1998
• ISO 374 series (AS/NZS 2161.10): chemicals and micro-organisms. AS/NZS 2161.10.1 was updated in 2024
• Arc rating (ATPV, cal/cm²): arc flash protection, for arc flash gloves
• AS/NZS 2161.1:2016: selection, use and maintenance of gloves

 

For more detail on each, see Glove Standards & Certification. For welding gloves, see Welding Glove Standards & Certification.

 

Do Elliotts gloves meet Australian glove standards?

 

Every Elliotts welding glove is independently certified by Intertek SAI Global to EN 407:2020, EN 12477, EN 388 (AS/NZS 2161.3:2020) and AS/NZS 2161.2:2020, and tested to EN 1149-2. Every new welding glove launches certified to the same standards.

 

Elliotts was the first company to have welding gloves certified to Australian standards, on 19 January 2011, and we've kept them independently certified ever since.

 

Our other certified gloves, including G-Flex and ChemVex, are certified by BSI, mainly to AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 (EN 388) for mechanical protection and AS/NZS 2161.10:2005 Occupational protective gloves Part 3. Protection against chemicals and micro-organisms (EN 374-3). Every product page and product data sheet (PDS) lists the standards, performance levels and certification body for that glove.

 

What's the difference between AS/NZS 2161.4:1999 and EN 407:2020?

 

Both cover protection against heat and flame, and both use the same six tests. The difference is age. AS/NZS 2161.4:1999 is based on an earlier edition of EN 407 and hasn't been revised since 1999 (it was reconfirmed without changes in 2016). EN 407:2020 is the current edition.

 

 

We moved our welding gloves to EN 407:2020 because a rating is only as good as the test behind it. A glove certified to the current edition was tested the way heat and flame hazards are understood today. For the full story, see Welding Glove Standards & Certification.

 

What's the difference between EN 407 and EN 12477?

 

EN 407 rates how a glove handles heat and flame. It applies to any heat-protective glove, from foundry mitts to oven gloves.

EN 12477 is written specifically for welders' gloves. It sets minimum results for mechanical protection (EN 388), heat and molten metal (EN 407), dexterity and cuff length. A glove can carry good EN 407 numbers and still not qualify as a welding glove. For welding, look for both.

 

What does Type A or Type B mean on a welding glove?

 

EN 12477 sorts welders' gloves into two types:

 

• Type A: protection first. Higher heat, spatter and mechanical performance, lower dexterity. Recommended for all welding processes, especially stick (MMAW) and MIG (GMAW).
• Type B: dexterity first. Lower physical performance, higher dexterity. Recommended for TIG (GTAW), where you need feel on the filler rod and torch.
• Type A+B: the glove meets the minimum requirements of both.

 

The type is marked under the EN 12477 pictogram on the cuff and listed on every Elliotts welding glove's product page. For the minimum requirements of each type, see Welding Glove Standards & Certification.

 

What do the EN 407 numbers mean?

 

The six digits under the EN 407 pictogram are performance levels from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest), always in the same order. An X means the test wasn't done or isn't claimed.

 

 

Example: EN 407:2020 413244 means limited flame spread 4, contact heat 1, convective heat 3, radiant heat 2, small splashes 4, large splashes 4. Always check the edition year above the pictogram too.

 

Does EN 407 mean a glove is flameproof?

 

No glove is flameproof. EN 407 measures how a glove performs when exposed to heat and flame, and gives it a level. Even at level 4, leather will char and burn if it's exposed for long enough.

The first digit, limited flame spread, tells you how quickly the material stops burning once the flame is removed. The other digits tell you how long the glove delays heat reaching your hand. Choose the levels that match your hazard, limit exposure time, and replace gloves that are scorched, hardened or contaminated with oil or grease, which can burn.

 

What does EN 388 mean on a glove?

 

EN 388 (AS/NZS 2161.3:2020 in Australia) rates mechanical protection. Under the hammer pictogram you'll see up to six characters: abrasion (1 to 4), blade cut by the coup test (1 to 5), tear (1 to 4), puncture (1 to 4), cut by the TDM test (A to F) and impact (P for pass). For cut protection, the letter is the more reliable result.

 

What is EN 1149-2 and why are welding gloves tested to it?

 

EN 1149-2 covers electrostatic properties: how well a material dissipates a static charge. Welders often work near fuels, gases or combustible dust, where a static discharge can be an ignition source. Every Elliotts welding glove is tested to EN 1149-2.

 

What's the difference between a certified glove and a tested glove?

 

A tested glove has a lab report showing that a sample passed, on the day it was tested. A certified glove has been assessed by an independent certification body, which reviews the test reports, materials and labelling, audits the factory, issues a licence, and keeps checking that production stays the same.

 

A test report is a snapshot. Certification is ongoing. If a factory changes its leather, thread or liner, a one-off test report won't show it. Surveillance audits are designed to pick that up.

 

No law in Australia requires work gloves, including welding gloves, to be independently certified, so it pays to check which one you're buying. Elliotts welding gloves are certified by Intertek SAI Global, and our other certified gloves by BSI.

 

How do I check a glove's certification?

 

• Find the mark. Look for a certification body's mark on the cuff or the PDS, with a licence number next to it.
• Look up the licence. Search the number on the certification body's online register or certificate directory. Elliotts welding gloves are certified by Intertek SAI Global; our other certified gloves are certified by BSI.
• Check what it covers. Make sure the standards and the product on the register match the glove in your hand.
• Check it's current. A licence can lapse. The register shows whether it's active.

 

No mark and no licence number means the marks rest on a declaration or a test report, not certification.

 

Why do I see different marks on the same Elliotts glove?

 

We moved our welding gloves to EN 407:2020 and Intertek SAI Global certification in 2026. For a while you'll see both on the shelf. Gloves made before the change carry the previous certification, which was valid when they were made. New production carries the new marks.

 

Choosing a welding glove

 

Which welding glove do I need for stick, MIG or TIG?

 

• Stick (MMAW) and heavy MIG: heavy spatter and high heat. Choose a Type A or A+B glove in thicker leather, such as Big Red or Kev Blue. Add an extended cuff (XT) for overhead or out-of-position work.
• MIG (GMAW): a Type A or A+B glove with a balance of heat protection and feel.
• TIG (GTAW): low spatter, fine control. Choose a Type B or A+B glove in thin goatskin, such as the TigMate range.
• Cutting, grinding and fabrication: consider a cut-resistant welding glove with a high EN 388 TDM letter, such as Big Red CRX.

 

One glove rarely suits every process. If you switch between TIG and stick, keep a pair for each.

 

Can I use TIG gloves for MIG or stick welding?

 

Only for short, light jobs. TIG gloves are thin to give you feel, so they have less heat and spatter protection. Under MIG or stick spatter they'll burn through and wear out quickly. Going the other way works, but a heavy glove makes TIG control harder.

 

Cowhide, goatskin or pigskin: which leather is best?

 

• Cowhide: thick and durable, with good heat protection. The standard for stick and MIG gloves.
• Goatskin: thin, strong and supple thanks to its natural lanolin. The choice for TIG gloves and palms that need feel.
• Pigskin: breathable, keeps its shape after getting wet, and handles oil better than most leathers. Suits medium-duty work.

 

Grain leather (the outer surface of the hide) wears better than split leather. See our Glove Materials guide for more.

 

Why are the stitches sewn with aramid thread?

 

Aramid (the fibre family that includes Kevlar) is heat resistant. Cotton or polyester thread can burn through or melt near the arc, and once a seam opens the glove is finished. All Elliotts welding gloves are sewn with aramid thread.

 

Do I need a cut-resistant welding glove?

 

If you handle sharp plate, sheet metal edges or offcuts between welds, yes. Most leather welding gloves offer limited cut protection. Cut-resistant welding gloves add a high-performance liner. Check the fifth character of the EN 388 code: the TDM cut level, from A (lowest) to F (highest).

 

How do I choose the right size?

 

Measure the circumference of your palm around the knuckles, excluding the thumb, and the length from the tip of your middle finger to your wrist crease. Match both to our Glove Sizing Guide. A glove that's too big reduces control and can catch; one that's too small tires your hands and wears through faster at the fingertips.

 

When do I need a longer cuff?

 

Standard welding gloves cover the wrist and part of the forearm. An extended cuff, like our 680 mm XT gloves, protects most of the forearm and can be worn with an apron for frontal protection without a jacket or sleeves, in suitable conditions.

 

Why do left-hand gloves wear out faster?

 

For a right-handed welder, the left hand does the rough work. It steadies the job, feeds filler rod and holds material close to the arc, so it takes more heat, spatter and abrasion than the hand on the torch or stinger. Many welders wear out two left gloves for every right.

 

That's why we make The Lefties: two left-hand gloves in a pack, so the right glove isn't wasted. Left-handed welders find the same thing with the right glove.

 

What is a glove saver?

 

A glove saver slips over the back of your welding glove to add radiant heat and spatter protection where your hand takes the most heat. It extends the life of the glove underneath. Elliotts glove savers come in left- and right-hand versions and three weights: Standard, Reinforced and High Heat.

 

Using, caring for and replacing welding gloves

 

How long should a welding glove last?

There's no fixed lifespan. It depends on the process, the amperage, the hours you weld and how you use the gloves. A heavy stick welder may go through gloves in weeks; a TIG welder's gloves can last months. Replace them on condition, not on a calendar.

 

Replace your gloves when:

 

• there are burn holes, thin spots or worn-through patches
• seams have opened or stitching has burnt
• the leather has hardened, shrunk or cracked from heat
• they're contaminated with oil, grease, fuel or solvents, which can ignite
• they're wet and won't dry out before your next job

 

Glove savers and rotating two pairs, so each has time to dry, both help gloves last longer.

 

Can I wash leather welding gloves?

 

We don't recommend machine washing or soaking leather welding gloves. Water and heat can shrink and stiffen the leather, change the fit and reduce protection. The ratings on the glove are based on testing gloves as supplied, not after washing.

 

To clean them:

 

• brush off dust and spatter
• spot-clean with a damp cloth and a little mild, pH-neutral soap
• air-dry at room temperature, away from heaters, direct sun and hot surfaces
• flex the gloves as they dry to keep them supple
• skip heavy oils, waxes and petroleum-based conditioners, which can increase flammability

 

Gloves soaked in oil or grease should be replaced, not cleaned. Always check the care instructions on the PDS.

 

Do welding gloves protect against electric shock?

 

Only to a limited degree, and only when they're dry and undamaged. EN 12477 requires a minimum electrical resistance for arc welding gloves up to 100 V DC, but welding gloves aren't electrical insulating gloves.

 

Wet or holed gloves are a known factor in welding shock incidents. Keep a dry pair on hand and change gloves as soon as they get wet from sweat or rain. Never touch the electrode or live parts, even with gloves on.

 

Can I pick up hot metal with welding gloves?

 

Briefly, within the glove's contact heat rating. The second EN 407 digit tells you the surface temperature the glove can handle for 15 seconds: level 2, for example, is 250°C. It's a short-contact rating, so use tongs or pliers for hot workpieces and anything you need to hold for longer.

 

Should I wear welding gloves when grinding?

 

Welding gloves protect against sparks and heat, but a glove can be caught and pulled in by a rotating disc or wire wheel. Follow your site's risk assessment and the grinder manufacturer's instructions, keep guards fitted, and choose a close-fitting glove with good cut resistance for grinding and finishing work.

 

General glove questions

 

What is a "supported" glove?

 

A "Supported" glove is made by dipping a knitted or woven cloth liner into a liquid compound such as PVC, nitrile, or neoprene. The liner "supports" the coating and adds strength. Examples include our ChemVex PVC gloves and G-Flex gloves.

 

 

What is an "unsupported" glove?

 

An unsupported glove has no liner. Porcelain hand forms are dipped straight into the liquid compound, dried, and the glove is stripped off the form.

 

What materials are Elliotts gloves made from?

 

We use a range of leathers (cowhide, goatskin and pigskin), cotton, aramid and high-performance synthetic yarns, coatings such as nitrile, PVC and polyurethane, and specialist heat-resistant materials. Our Glove Materials guide explains each one and what it's good for.

 

What gloves should I wear to pick up small objects?

 

Start with the task and its risks. For small parts where you need feel, the G-Flex range gives excellent dexterity and comfort. Different coatings give different levels of grip, and cut-resistant liners are available if you're handling sharp objects.

 

Where can I buy Elliotts gloves?

 

Elliotts products are sold through our distributor network across Australia and New Zealand. We don't sell direct. Contact us on 07 3265 2944 or through our contact form and we'll point you to your nearest distributor.

 

 

REFERENCE PAGES:

Glove & Hand Protection Introduction | Glove & Hand Protection Range | Glove & Hand Protection Materials | Glove & Hand Protection Certifications | Glove & Hand Protection Glossary