Chemical protection gloves
Chemical protection gloves protect the user against direct skin contact with hazardous substances such as acids, alkalis, oils, bases or organic solvents in accordance with the EN 374 standard. Depending on the requirements and the desired protective effect, you can choose between chemical protection gloves made of nitrile, latex or neoprene.
























Chemical protective gloves from Franz Mensch
Protective gloves against chemicals protect the user from direct skin contact with hazardous substances. These include, for example, acids, alkalis, oils, bases and organic solvents. Chemical protective gloves are considered personal protective equipment (PPE) and are required by law for many jobs to protect employees. Buy your chemical protective gloves easily online at Franz Mensch. Depending on your requirements and the protection you need, you have a wide choice here between gloves made of nitrile, latex or neoprene - tested according to EN 374.
Which gloves are chemical resistant?
Whether a protective glove is resistant to chemicals or not is defined by EN 374. Chemical gloves can be made of different materials, be for single use or for multiple use. Protective gloves against chemical risks can be recognized by the pictogram with the beaker or the Erlenmeyer flask.
Content and performance requirements of EN 374 for chemical protection:
EN 374 is divided into the following 5 parts:
- EN 374-1: Protection against chemicals and microorganisms, classification by performance type: Type A (best protection), Type B, Type C.
- Type A: Minimum average >30 min. for at least 6 chemicals from the list of specified test chemicals.
- Type B: Minimum average >30 min. for at least 3 chemicals from the list of specified test chemicals.
- Type C: Minimum average >10 min. for at least 1 chemical from the list of specified test chemicals.
- EN 374-2: Protection against penetration of chemicals or leak test, chemical protective gloves must be airtight and waterproof.
- EN 374-3: Resistance of the glove to permeation/penetration of chemicals. Permeation is the molecular penetration through the glove material. The time required by the chemical for this is given in breakthrough times and levels. The times given indicate the duration of protection and depend on the thickness of the glove material.
- EN 374-4: Resistance to degradation/change in material properties of the glove due to chemicals.
- EN 374-5 Performance requirements for risks from microorganisms, protective gloves must protect the user against bacteria, fungi and, where applicable, viruses. Protective gloves that have been specifically tested for virus tightness bear the pictogram with the VIRUS suffix.
The list of test chemicals for gloves according to EN 374-1, further information on EN 374 and other important standards for protective gloves can be read here in the List of Standards.
How to choose chemical protective gloves correctly:
When choosing your protective glove against chemicals, three questions are importantly crucial:
- Which hazardous materials are used?
- What are the boundary conditions at the workplace?
- Does the glove wearer have allergies to the glove material (latex allergy)?
- For what purpose and what activities do you need the gloves? What are the requirements?
- Usage properties
- Maximum possible protection
- Skin compatibility
- Fit and comfort
- Touch sensitivity and grip profile
- Mechanical and thermal properties
The chemical resistance table of the University of Cologne serves as a selection aid. The data in the resistance list are the results of a test and are based on EN 374. You can use the table to select the appropriate protective glove.
Nitrile chemical protective gloves
Nitrile has a high resistance to chemicals and solvents. Therefore, high-quality protective gloves made of nitrile comply with EN 374 and can be used as chemical gloves. Your advantages of protective gloves made of nitrile:
- excellent puncture and abrasion resistance
- excellent wet and dry grip
- Protection against alkalis, oils, solvents, lubricants and animal fats
- not suitable for working with ketones or strong organic solvents
Latex chemical protective gloves
Latex is particularly stretchy and fits your hand like a second skin. Latex gloves are also suitable as chemical protection gloves and offer maximum comfort and sensitivity - e.g. ideal for precise work in the laboratory.
- good cut protection
- resistant to many alkalis, acids and alcohols
- highly flexible material
- not suitable for work lubricants and oils / greases
Neoprene chemical protective gloves
- lower tear, puncture, abrasion and cut resistance
- resistant to a wide range of oils, alkalis, acids, caustics and solvents
- excellent mobility and flexibility even in cold conditions
Chemical resistant disposable gloves
Disposable gloves are primarily a hygiene measure and protect a product from contamination. In addition, high-quality disposable gloves can also be used when handling chemicals and protect the wearer himself. Prerequisite: They meet the requirements of EN 374. Chemical protective gloves for single use usually have a long cuff to protect the wrist and forearm from splashes and are assigned to PPE category "CAT 3".