How to Safely Maintain Your Voltage-Rated Gloves

Keeping your voltage-rated gloves in top condition is a must if you want to stay safe on the job. Testing your gloves regularly lets you spot issues early and replace them before problems happen. Here’s a step-by-step guide on when and how to test your gloves to ensure they are truly protecting you from electrical hazards. 

1. Why Test Your Voltage-Rated Gloves?

Voltage-rated gloves are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to protect you from electric shock and electrocution. Over time, even if the gloves appear undamaged, their dielectric strength can degrade, potentially putting you in danger. Regular testing helps verify that your gloves continue to meet safety standards and work as intended.

2. Understanding the Testing Requirements

The frequency and type of testing required for voltage-rated gloves depend on both OSHA and NFPA 70E standards. Here’s a breakdown:

• 6-Month Rule for Issued Gloves: Once gloves are issued and put into use, they must be tested every six months. Even if gloves haven’t been actively used, they need to be retested after six months from the date they were last tested.

• 12-Month Shelf Life for New Gloves: Unissued, “new” gloves can remain on the shelf for up to 12 months before they require testing. However, once they are issued, the 6-month testing rule applies. At no point can “new” gloves be used beyond 12 months after their test date.

  
  

Consider this example:

• The previously used glove in this picture passed testing on March 19, 2015.

• Let’s say that the glove was issued into service on April 19, 2015.

• Regardless of the issue date, the glove expired on September 19, 2015.

3. Essential Testing Steps: Visual and Air Testing

Before each day’s use, conduct both a visual inspection and an air test on your voltage-rated gloves:

Step 1: Visual Inspection

• Look for any visible signs of damage, such as cuts, holes, or abrasions. Inspect both the rubber gloves and the leather protectors.

• Ensure the glove’s integrity by checking for any embedded foreign objects or signs of wear.

  
  

Step 2: Air Testing

• Inflate the gloves to identify any leaks that may be too small to see. One method is to roll the cuff tightly and trap air inside the glove.

• Carefully observe for any loss of air, which indicates a puncture or small hole.

Tip: OSHA says that gloves shall be inspected visually and air-tested each day before use. Just a few minutes performing these simple tests pays off in terms of your long-term safety.

4. Sending Gloves for Dielectric Testing

Every six months, or sooner if your gloves show signs of damage, send them to an approved lab for dielectric testing. During dielectric testing, gloves are exposed to a high voltage to ensure they can withstand electrical stress. Many professionals find it helpful to keep two pairs of gloves per worker, rotating them so one pair is always available while the other is being tested.

5. Always Use Gloves With Their Leather Protectors

Leather protectors are essential for preventing cuts, abrasions, and punctures, extending the life and durability of your rubber gloves.

If gloves are used without leather protectors, they should be considered “single-use” and cannot be used again until they have been retested using methods prescribed by NFPA and ASTM..  dielectric testing. 

Glove Classes and Testing Intervals

Class	Max AC Use Voltage	AC Retest Voltage	Maximum DC Use Voltage (average)	DC Retest Voltage (average)	Color of Label
00	500	2,500	750	10,000	Tan
0	1,000	5,000	1,500	20,000	Red
1	7,500	10,000	11,250	40,000	White
2	17,000	20,000	25,500	50,000	Yellow
3	26,500	30,000	39,750	60,000	Green
4	36,000	40,000	54,000	70,000	Orange

Conclusion: Keeping Your Gloves Ready and Reliable

Your safety depends on regularly testing and properly handling voltage-rated gloves. By following the guidelines for inspection, air testing, and dielectric testing, you’ll ensure your gloves are reliable every time you use them. 

Stay proactive, and don’t cut corners when it comes to glove testing. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your safety.

FAQs

Q. Can I just use the rubber glove only, and not buy the leather part?

A. A leather protective glove should always be worn over rubber insulating gloves to provide the needed mechanical protection against cuts, abrasions, and punctures.

Q. Do I need to send my gloves off for voltage testing if I don't use the electrical safety gloves very often and visually see no damage? 

A. Yes, retesting is still needed at the required intervals. Not all damage can be seen with the naked eye.

Q. If I find a hole, can I just "patch it" so it passes the air testing? 

A. No. Even if it can appear safe to use, the glove lost its structural integrity, and a patch cannot fix that. Discard or remove from use to protect your safety and comply with ASTM and OSHA standards.

Q.  How do I make sure I get the right glove size? 

A.  Gloves are available in sizes from 7 to 12, including half sizes. To determine glove size, measure the circumference of the hand around the palm in inches. Gloves that are too big reduce dexterity and workers will find them difficult to work in. One size does not fit all.

Standards

• OSHA 1910.137 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards - Personal Protective Equipment - Electrical protective devices

• NFPA 70E 2024 - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace

• ASTM D 120 Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves

• ASTM F 1236 Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products

• ASTM F 696 Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens

• ASTM F 3258 Standard Specification for Non- Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves Meeting Specific Performance Requirements.