Safety Gloves UK | EN388 Certified Cut Resistant & Industrial Protection
Discover the UK’s most comprehensive selection of safety gloves at Glove Club, your trusted specialist supplier since 1994. With over 30 years of expertise in industrial hand protection, we understand the critical importance of selecting correctly certified safety gloves that meet stringent EN388, EN374, EN407, and EN511 standards for mechanical, chemical, thermal, and cold protection.
Whether you need cut resistant gloves certified to EN388 levels A-F, chemical resistant safety gloves meeting EN374 standards, heat resistant gloves for thermal applications, or impact resistant safety gloves for high-risk environments, our expert range delivers the protection, compliance, and performance your workforce demands. Trusted by manufacturers, construction companies, food processors, and engineering firms across the UK for exceptional quality and comprehensive safety standards knowledge.
Why Choose Certified Safety Gloves?
Certified safety gloves are essential for workplace compliance and employee protection. EN388, EN374, and EN407 certifications ensure your gloves have been rigorously tested against mechanical hazards, chemicals, and thermal risks. Choosing correctly certified safety gloves protects your workforce, meets Health & Safety requirements, and demonstrates your commitment to employee wellbeing.
Safety gloves, also known as either protective gloves or industrial gloves prove ideal for industrial work but also manual intensive labour. And, here at The Glove Club, we have the safety work gloves that are right for you. Explore our waterproof options perfect for outdoor and wet environments, or explore PVC, cotton, rubber, and disposable gloves to see even more options.
Cut resistant safety gloves or our extra grip industrial variety prove equally as popular as our heavy duty protective work gloves as they offer great value for money with no reduction in the quality on offer. Our extensive stock ranges from extremely durable gloves to protect from blades or sharp objects to flexible, softer gloves for delicate or manual handling.
Other safety gloves like the Extra Long Heavy Duty, made from natural latex, are ideal for chemical handling, heavy equipment maintenance, heavy duty applications, and industrial cleaning. We also have rigger gloves available which are made with a chrome palm, thumb, first finger and knuckle strip. They offer maximum safety with lined palm and fingers, a rubberised cuff, and are CE marked for credibility.
Ordering is easy – simply browse our collection online or contact us at 0208 991 4300 to speak with our knowledgeable team. Plus, enjoy the convenience of free shipping on orders over £65*, ensuring exceptional value with every purchase. Find the safety gloves for work that meet your needs today with Glove Club. Your safety is our priority.
Types Of Safety Gloves Available At Glove Club
Cut Resistant Gloves (EN388 Certified)
Our cut resistant gloves are certified to EN388:2016 standards, offering protection levels from A (lowest) to F (highest) cut resistance. Level C and above provide excellent protection for metalworking, glass handling, and sharp object manipulation. Level E and F gloves offer maximum protection for extreme hazards, withstanding 22-30+ Newtons of blade force.
Chemical Resistant Safety Gloves (EN374)
Chemical resistant safety gloves meeting EN374 standards protect against permeation from acids, alkalis, solvents, and hazardous chemicals. Type A offers protection against 6+ chemicals for 30 minutes, Type B against 3 chemicals, ensuring safe handling across laboratory, manufacturing, and industrial cleaning applications.
Heat Resistant Gloves (EN407)
Heat resistant gloves certified to EN407 protect hands from contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, and molten metal splashes. Essential for welding, foundry work, glass manufacturing, and high-temperature industrial processes where thermal protection is critical for worker safety.
Impact Resistant Safety Gloves
Impact resistant gloves feature TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) protection on knuckles, fingers, and backs of hands to protect against crushing, pinching, and impact injuries. Ideal for oil and gas, construction, automotive, and heavy machinery operations where impact hazards exist.
Waterproof Safety Gloves
Waterproof safety gloves combine liquid protection with mechanical resistance, ideal for wet environments, chemical handling, and outdoor work. These gloves maintain grip and dexterity while keeping hands dry during extended exposure to water, oils, and other liquids.
Anti-Vibration Gloves (EN ISO 10819)
Anti-vibration gloves reduce harmful vibration transmission from power tools, protecting against Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Essential for construction workers, mechanics, and anyone operating vibrating equipment for extended periods.
Food Safe Safety Gloves
Food safe safety gloves meet food contact regulations while providing cut and puncture resistance for food processing, catering, and commercial kitchen applications. These gloves combine hygiene compliance with hand protection for safe food handling.
Cold Protection Gloves (EN511)
Cold protection gloves certified to EN511 protect against convective and contact cold, essential for refrigeration, cold storage, outdoor winter work, and cryogenic applications where cold-related injuries pose risks to workers.
Understanding Safety Glove Standards - Your Complete Guide
EN388: Mechanical Hazard Protection
The EN388 standard is the European certification for protective gloves against mechanical risks. The current EN388:2016 version tests five key areas:
Abrasion Resistance (0-4): How well gloves resist surface wear
Cut Resistance Coupe Test (0-5 or X): Traditional blade test (older method)
Tear Resistance (0-4): Force needed to tear the material
Puncture Resistance (0-4): Force needed to puncture through
TDM Cut Test (A-F): ISO 13997 straight blade test - the definitive cut rating where F (30N) is maximum protection
Impact Protection (P): Optional test for impact-absorbing gloves
Example rating "4X43DP" means: Level 4 abrasion, cut test not performed (X), Level 4 tear, Level 3 puncture, Level D cut (ISO test), Impact protection passed (P).
EN374: Chemical And Micro-Organism Protection
The EN374 standard certifies chemical resistant gloves through breakthrough time and permeation testing:
EN374 Type A: Passes permeation test against 6+ chemicals for minimum 30 minutes each
EN374 Type B: Passes permeation test against 3+ chemicals for minimum 30 minutes each
EN374 Type C: Passes permeation test against 1+ chemicals for minimum 10 minutes
EN374-2: Protection against bacteria and fungi (required for all types)
Chemical codes (e.g., AJKPT) indicate which specific chemicals the glove protects against, helping buyers select appropriate protection for their specific hazards.
EN407: Thermal (Heat) Protection
The EN407 standard certifies protection against thermal risks with six performance levels:
A - Resistance to Flammability: How long material burns after flame removal
B - Contact Heat: Temperature range for 15-second contact protection
C - Convective Heat: Time to temperature rise from hot air
D - Radiant Heat: Time to temperature rise from radiant heat source
E - Small Molten Metal Splashes: Number of drops needed to reach pain threshold
F - Large Molten Metal Splashes: Weight of molten metal for specified temperature rise
Minimum Level 1 required in two categories for EN407 certification. Level 4 represents excellent thermal protection.
EN511: Cold Protection
The EN511 standard tests protection against cold and measures three aspects:
A - Resistance to Convective Cold (0-4): Thermal insulation against cold air
B - Resistance to Contact Cold (0-4): Thermal resistance to cold surfaces
C - Water Penetration (0-1): Whether water penetrates after 30 minutes (0=fail, 1=pass)
Essential for refrigeration workers, cold storage operations, and outdoor winter work where cold exposure risks exist.
EN420 / ISO 21420: General Requirements
EN420 (superseded by ISO 21420) defines fundamental requirements all protective gloves must meet: harmlessness, comfort, sizing, dexterity, and product marking. This baseline standard ensures quality across all safety glove categories.
Industry Applications For Safety Gloves
Manufacturing And Engineering
Cut resistant and impact protection gloves protect assembly workers, machine operators, and engineers from sharp components, metal edges, and crushing hazards during production, maintenance, and handling operations.
Construction And Building
Multi-hazard safety gloves combining cut, puncture, abrasion, and impact resistance protect construction workers from sharp materials, rough surfaces, and hand injuries on building sites.
Food Processing Industry
Food-safe cut resistant gloves certified for food contact protect workers during meat processing, fish preparation, and commercial kitchen knife work while maintaining hygiene standards.
Automotive And Metalworking
Heat and cut resistant gloves protect mechanics, welders, and metalworkers from sharp metal, hot surfaces, grinding operations, and automotive maintenance hazards.
Glass Handling
High-level cut resistant gloves (Level D-F) provide essential protection for glass manufacturing, installation, and handling where extreme cut hazards exist.
Chemical And Laboratory Work
EN374-certified chemical resistant gloves protect laboratory technicians, chemical handlers, and industrial cleaners from acid, solvent, and hazardous substance exposure.
Warehousing And Logistics
General purpose safety gloves with good grip and moderate cut/abrasion resistance protect warehouse staff during handling, packing, and distribution operations.
Your Safety Gloves Buying Guide
1. Conduct Workplace Hazard Assessment
Identify specific hazards: cuts, chemicals, heat, cold, impact, vibration. Document hazard levels and exposure duration. This forms the foundation for selecting appropriate certified protection.
2. Understand Required EN Standards
Match hazards to standards: EN388 for mechanical, EN374 for chemical, EN407 for heat, EN511 for cold. Determine minimum protection levels required for compliance and safety.
3. Determine Cut Resistance Level
For cut hazards: Level A-B (light assembly), Level C-D (metalwork/glass), Level E-F (extreme sharp hazards). Higher levels offer more protection but may reduce dexterity.
4. Check Chemical Compatibility
For chemical work, verify glove material resists your specific chemicals. Check permeation time exceeds your exposure duration. Consult chemical resistance charts for guidance.
5. Consider Thermal Requirements
For heat exposure, verify EN407 certification levels match your temperature ranges and contact durations. For cold, check EN511 ratings meet your environmental conditions.
6. Evaluate Grip And Dexterity
Balance protection with usability. Coated palms improve grip. Thinner liners maintain dexterity. Test gloves for your specific tasks to ensure workers can perform efficiently.
7. Verify Compliance Requirements
Check Health & Safety regulations for your industry. Ensure gloves meet legal requirements. Keep certification documentation for compliance audits.
8. Plan Quantities And Budget
Calculate gloves needed per worker. Consider replacement frequency based on wear. Bulk purchasing offers better value for regular high-volume use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety Gloves
What Are EN388 Safety Standards?
EN388 is the European standard for protective gloves against mechanical risks including abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture resistance. The standard tests gloves and assigns performance levels from 0-4 for mechanical properties and A-F for cut resistance using the TDM test method. For example, a rating of 4X43D means Level 4 abrasion resistance, cut test not performed (X), Level 4 tear, Level 3 puncture, and Level D cut resistance (15N). Understanding these ratings helps you select gloves with appropriate protection for your specific workplace hazards.
What Cut Resistance Level Do I Need?
Cut resistance requirements depend on your specific hazards. Level A-B suits light assembly and handling tasks with minor cut risks. Level C-D provides robust protection for metalworking, automotive work, and general manufacturing. Level E-F offers maximum protection for extreme hazards like glass handling, sharp metal fabrication, and meat processing. Higher cut levels provide more protection but may reduce dexterity and tactile sensitivity, so select the lowest level that adequately protects against your specific risks while maintaining usability.
Are Safety Gloves Suitable For Food Handling?
Yes, food-safe safety gloves combine cut and puncture protection with food contact compliance. These gloves meet food safety regulations while protecting workers during meat processing, fish filleting, commercial kitchen knife work, and food manufacturing operations. Look for gloves specifically marked as food-safe or food-contact approved. They provide essential cut protection for food industry workers while maintaining hygiene standards required for food processing and preparation environments.
How Do I Choose The Right Safety Gloves?
Start with a workplace hazard assessment identifying specific risks: cuts, chemicals, heat, cold, impact, or vibration. Match identified hazards to appropriate EN standards (EN388 for mechanical, EN374 for chemical, EN407 for heat, EN511 for cold). Determine required protection levels based on hazard severity and exposure duration. Consider practical factors like grip requirements, dexterity needs, and comfort for extended wear. Verify gloves meet your industry's Health & Safety compliance requirements. Test sample gloves with workers to ensure they provide adequate protection while allowing efficient task performance.
What's The Difference Between Cut Levels A-F?
The EN388:2016 TDM cut test rates gloves from A to F based on force (in Newtons) required to cut through the material. Level A withstands 2N, Level B 5N, Level C 10N, Level D 15N, Level E 22N, and Level F 30N or more. Each level roughly doubles the cutting force resistance. This represents a significant real-world protection difference: Level A suits light assembly, Level C general manufacturing, Level D metalworking and automotive, while Level E-F handles extreme hazards like glass manufacturing and meat processing where maximum cut protection is essential for worker safety.
Do You Deliver Safety Gloves UK Wide?
Yes, Glove Club delivers certified safety gloves throughout the entire United Kingdom with free delivery on orders over £65. As a specialist UK safety glove supplier with over 30 years of experience since 1994, we provide reliable nationwide delivery for manufacturers, construction companies, food processors, engineering firms, and industrial facilities. Our comprehensive range includes EN388, EN374, EN407, and EN511 certified gloves suitable for businesses across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We understand the critical importance of timely delivery for maintaining workplace safety compliance and worker protection.
