Welding operations are among the industrial activities that harbor multifaceted dangers, such as high temperatures, molten metal splashes, sparks, and intense radiation (ultraviolet and infrared radiation). During these operations, workers are at risk of suffering severe burns, punctures, cuts, or skin damage from excessive heat due to direct physical contact with welding equipment through their hands. Therefore, gloves that welders must use as part of personal protective equipment should not only offer protection against high temperatures but also against mechanical stresses and radiation.

Welding gloves are typically made from heat-resistant materials such as thick leather (e.g., cowhide or goatskin); their inner linings contain layers of cotton or felt to provide additional heat insulation. These gloves are also designed with long cuffs to cover the wrist and forearm areas, and flame-resistant threads are preferred for their seams. This provides comprehensive protection against both direct heat and splash hazards, as well as mechanical trauma, during welding operations. Ensuring occupational safety, regular inspection of gloves, and selecting the appropriate model for the type of risk are fundamental practices.

Standards

Protective gloves used during welding operations must be manufactured in accordance with specific international standards to ensure the safety of users against thermal and mechanical hazards. These standards evaluate the performance characteristics of gloves based on objective criteria, thus certifying both the reliability and suitability for use of the products.

• TS EN 12477: This standard defines the characteristics and test methods for protective gloves used during manual metal welding, cutting, and alloying processes. Gloves are divided into two categories, Type A and Type B, according to user needs:
• Type A gloves provide higher heat and mechanical protection, preferred for tasks where finger dexterity is less critical.
• Type B gloves are designed for low-risk welding operations that require greater dexterity.
• TS EN 388: This standard, which determines the resistance of gloves to mechanical risks, classifies performance according to four main parameters: abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture resistance. These tests are important for defining the glove's protection level against physical damage risks that may occur during welding operations.
• TS EN 407: Used for evaluating gloves that protect against thermal risks, this standard determines the gloves' resistance to burning behavior, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, and molten metal splashes. The use of products that have sufficient testing and certification against these types of hazards, frequently encountered in welding environments, is mandatory for occupational safety.

Welding gloves produced in accordance with these standards carry the CE mark, indicating compliance with product regulations in the European Economic Area. The CE mark informs the user that the product has undergone specific tests and that its protection levels have been determined according to international norms. Thus, gloves are considered not only a physical barrier but also certified safety equipment.

Technical Specifications

Welding gloves are not only a basic means of protection for occupational safety; they are also technical equipment that enables welding operations to be carried out safely and efficiently. Therefore, these gloves must possess specific technical features:

• Heat Resistance: High temperatures, sparks, and molten metal splashes generated during welding operations directly threaten the hands. Therefore, gloves must be able to maintain their structural integrity when exposed to high heat and should not burn or deform even with short-term contact. Compliance with the TS EN 407 standard indicates that this feature has been tested at a technical level.
• Mechanical Resistance: Gloves must exhibit resistance to physical stresses encountered during welding operations. Mechanical risks such as abrasion, cuts, tears, and punctures directly affect the longevity and safe use of welding gloves. In this context, compliance with the TS EN 388 standard is important.
• Ergonomics: It is not enough for gloves to be merely protective; they must also allow the user to work without restricting hand dexterity. Finger mobility, grip capability, and comfort level affect both productivity and user health during prolonged use. Ergonomic design is particularly prominent in Type B gloves.
• Material: The most commonly used material for welding gloves is split leather. Split leather, which stands out for its natural resistance to high heat and durable structure, is mostly obtained from cowhide or goatskin. Some glove models feature seams or inner layers reinforced with heat-resistant aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar). This is an important structural feature that increases both thermal and mechanical protection capacity.

All these technical attributes play a fundamental role in preventing occupational accidents and reducing occupational exposures by providing a level of protection consistent with the nature of welding operations.

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Areas of Use

Welding gloves are widely used in various sectors to provide hand protection against the multifaceted hazards encountered in welding operations. Gloves support occupational safety by forming a protective barrier against high temperatures, molten metal splashes, abrasive particles, and mechanical stresses.

• Metalworking: During processes such as gas metal arc welding (MIG/MAG), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), plasma cutting, and grinding, the heat, sparks, and metal splashes generated necessitate the use of gloves for workers. These processes, in addition to high heat, also involve the risk of contact with sharp surfaces.
• Construction Sector: In large-scale construction projects, especially during the welding assembly of steel support systems, gloves protect workers against both thermal and physical trauma. For welders working in challenging outdoor conditions, long-term durability and dexterity are prioritized.
• Automotive Industry: Operations such as vehicle body manufacturing, exhaust system assembly, and chassis repair involve high temperatures and confined space working conditions alongside sensitive welding applications. Gloves used in this field are designed to balance flexibility and heat protection.
• Shipbuilding: Gloves used for welding ship hulls, frames, and connection points protect against high amounts of heat, splashes of large metal pieces, and extensive weld seams. Furthermore, these gloves stand out for their abrasion resistance during prolonged use.

It is important that welding gloves preferred in these areas of use are produced in accordance with international standards, especially the EN 12477 (performance requirements for welding gloves) standard. Gloves that comply with standards and are correctly selected according to the job's risk profile not only provide physical protection but also directly contribute to the prevention of occupational accidents, burns, and occupational diseases.