Hand Protection Standards
The Australian/New Zealand glove standards AS/NZS 2161 are based on the equivalent European standards, but there are some key differences.
Part 1: Selection, Use and Maintenance
AS/NZS 2161.1 helps end users determine which gloves are appropriate for their application and how to properly maintain them.
Part 2: General Requirements
AS/NZS 2161.2 is based on EN ISO 21420 and specifies general requirements for glove design, construction, comfort, efficiency, and manufacturer information.
Size Guide (EN ISO 21240)
| Glove Size | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Circumference (mm) | 127 | 152 | 178 | 203 | 229 | 254 | 279 | 304 | 329 |
| Hand Length (mm) | 148 | 160 | 171 | 182 | 192 | 204 | 215 | 227 | 237 |
| Standard Glove Size | XXS/5 | XS/6 | S/7 | M/8 | L/9 | XL/10 | XXL/11 | 3XL/12 | 4XL/13 |
Part 3: Mechanical Risk (EN388:2016+A1:2018)
This part outlines resistance to abrasion, cuts, tears, puncture, and impact. If a test isn't performed, it's marked as "X".
| Test | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance (cycles) | 100 | 500 | 2000 | 8000 | - |
| Blade Cut Resistance (index) | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| Tear Resistance (N) | 10 | 25 | 50 | 75 | - |
| Puncture Resistance (N) | 20 | 60 | 100 | 150 | - |
EN ISO 13997: TDM Cut Resistance
| Level | A | B | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Resistance (N) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 30 |
Impact Test
| Rating | P (Pass) | F (Fail) | X (Not tested) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Transmitted Force (kg) | ≤ 7 | ≥ 9 | - |
Part 4: Thermal Risks (EN407)
This part covers gloves designed to protect against heat and flame, including fire, contact heat, convective and radiant heat, and molten metal.
| Performance Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After Flame Time | < 20s | < 10s | < 3s | < 2s |
| Contact Heat Temp | 100°C | 250°C | 350°C | 500°C |
| Convective Heat Delay | > 4s | > 7s | > 10s | > 18s |
| Radiant Heat Delay | > 7s | > 20s | > 50s | > 95s |
Part 5: Cold Protection (EN511)
Applies to gloves intended to protect against convective or contact cold to -50°C due to climate or work activity.
| Level | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convective Cold (TR) | - | 0.10-0.15 | 0.15-0.22 | 0.22-0.30 | > 0.30 |
| Contact Cold (R) | - | 0.025-0.050 | 0.050-0.100 | 0.100-0.150 | > 0.150 |
| Water Penetration | Yes | No | - | - | - |