Hand protection for thermal hazards

Selecting the right protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire)

Many industries involve processes where the employee is exposed to thermal risks, such as manufacturing, catering, or foundries. It is not always possible to remove these hazards so employees will require safety gloves that offer adequate protection to help prevent injuries.

That's why EN 407:2020 specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for protective gloves against thermal risks (heat and/or fire). Safety gloves certified in accordance with this standard protect the wearer from, for example, contact heat, radiant heat and small splashes from molten metal. EN 407 consists of six performance tests. Each element is rated from 0 to 4, with X indicating that the test was not performed or is not applicable.

It's worth remembering, not every job requires gloves with the highest level of thermal protection, so when working with extreme heat, flames, or molten materials, it’s good to know how different gloves stack up. The EN 407 standard is there so you can be confident in your glove selection - as when the heat is on, not all gloves are created equal.

Limited flame spread	Contact heat resistance	Convective heat resistance	Radiant heat resistance	Resistance to small drops of molten metal	Resistance to large quantities of molten metal
Assesses how long the glove material glows or burns after being exposed to a flame.	This tests how fast heat is transferred during conduction.	Measures the glove’s ability to delay the transfer of heat from a flame through the glove material.	Tests the back of the glove to ensure materials can resist extreme heat radiating through the glove's various materials.	Assesses hand protection when working with small amounts of molten metal, e.g. welding.	PVC foil is used to simulate how skin would be affected inside the glove.

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Important changes to EN 407 standard
In the latest version of EN 407, as of 2020, the first performance class is no longer named “resistance to flammability”, but is now called “limited flame spread”. If the glove has not been tested for this, a new pictogram is used (see above right). However, there are no changes to the performance classes. The test described in EN 407:2020 assigns safety gloves a performance class in relation to each of the individual thermal hazards. It is important that the glove does not come into contact with open flames if it does not meet the criteria of performance class 3 in the limited flame spread test.

EN 407 rated gloves from uvex

	Limited flame spread	Contact heat resistance	Convective heat resistance	Radiant heat resistance	Resistance to small drops of molten metal	Resistance to large drops of molten metal	EN388
uvex athletic lite xt ESD	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 1 3 1 A
uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® D XG	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 1 D
uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® D SG	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 3 1 D
uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® F uXT1	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 3 2 F
uvex C500 foam	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 2 C
uvex C500 wet	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 2 C
uvex phynomic B uXT2	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 B
uvex phynomic D X HV	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 1 D
uvex phynomic D uXT1	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 D
uvex phynomic F XG	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 F
uvex unilite 7710F	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 1 2 1 X
uvex unilite thermo FC	X	2	X	X	X	X	2 2 4 2 C
uvex rubiflex XG 27B	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 1 2 1 X
uvex profi pure HG	X	1	X	X	X	X	2 1 2 1 X
uvex arc protect g1	4	1	1	1	X	X	1 X 2 1 X

EN 407 rated gloves from HexArmor

	Limited flame spread	Contact heat resistance	Convective heat resistance	Radiant heat resistance	Resistance to small drops of molten metal	Resistance to large drops of molten metal	EN388
Helix® 3071	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 F
Helix® 3007	X	1	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 D P
Helix® 3004IMP	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 3 1 D P
Helix® 3014IMP	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 2 F P
Helix® 3062	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 3 F
Helix® 3062IMP	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 3 F P
Chrome SLT 4060	X	1	X	X	X	1	2 X 2 3 E P
Chrome SLT 4061	4	1	2	1	X	X	4 X 4 1 D
Chrome SLT 4062	4	1	2	1	X	X	2 X 2 3 E
Rig Lizard Mud Grip+® 2039	X	2	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 E P
Rig Lizard 2021X	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 3 B P
Rig Lizard 2025X	X	2	X	X	X	X	4 X 4 3 F P
Chrome 4026	X	1	X	X	X	X	3 X 4 3 D

uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® D xg

Tactical feel and cut protection perfectly combined
The patented Bamboo TwinFlex® technology combines the best of both worlds in one cut protection glove (Cut Level D). Natural bamboo fibres adapt to your individual handshape in 3-5 minutes, while our high-performance fibres provide reliable high-level protection against abrasions and cuts.

uvex C500 Series

Cut and heat protection combined
The uvex C500 series sets standards regarding protection, comfort, flexibility, tactility and economy. These high-tech safety gloves combines all of these qualities with high cut protection, level 5/C. The uvex C500 foam is especially suitable for dry or slightly damp working conditions.

uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® D XG

uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® D SG

uvex C500 wet

uvex C500 foam

uvex Bamboo TwinFlex® F uXT1

uvex athletic lite xt

uvex unilite 7710F

uvex profi pure HG (Hydro-Grip)

Special protection

Excellent grip on warm and wet workpieces
The uvex u-chem 3500 chemical protection gloves are ideal for handling a variety of different chemicals. Thanks to their full-surface chloroprene and NBR coating, the gloves offer excellent grip and are resistant to acetone, cleaning agents, adhesives and solvents.
Protection against the thermal discharge of a short circuit electric arc
Hands are at the greatest risk of burns from short circuit electric arcs when working on electrical equipment. The uvex arc protect g1 protective glove provides safe protection against the thermal discharge of a short circuit electric arc. The modacrylic/cotton knit is flame retardant and protects the wearer from second-degree skin burns.

Impact protection and grip

A grip for every job
The Rig Lizard® Series is purpose-built to provide maximum grip in tough situations – with over five grip options for water, oils, muds, and lubricants. Each glove is also equipped with our highly flexible IR-X® Impact Exoskeleton™, keeping hands protected from smash and pinch injuries.

This combination of multiple technologies and features makes the Rig Lizard® the ideal solution for common oil, gas, and mining hazards. With options for cold weather protection, your hands can stay safe and comfortable in any environment.

uvex arc protect g1

HexArmor Helix® 3062IMP

HexArmor Rig Lizard® 2021X

HexArmor Rig Lizard® 2025X

uvex rubiflex S XG27B

uvex rubiflex S XG35B

HexArmor rubiflex S XG27BI

HexArmor rubiflex S XG35BI

Comfort + Cut Protection. Redefined.

Arc Flash & contact heat rated safety gloves
The HexArmor Chrome SLT® features an extended safety cuff and a goatskin leather palm to give workers the traditional style of comfort they love while providing cut and Arc Flash protection - all while being designed with unsurpassed comfort, dexterity, and protection.

The Helix® Series 2082 gloves by HexArmor® feature a 13-gauge flame-resistant aramid and wool blend shell that offers cut protection and an Arc Flash level 2 rating. A flexible, FR-compliant neoprene/nitrile blend palm coating provides superior grip and abrasion resistance.