DOMESTIC OVEN GLOVES: PPE UPDATED

From 21 April 2018 domestic oven gloves and mitts are now classed as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This is because under the new PPE Regulation (2106/425), oven gloves for domestic use are included in the scope for the first time. Manufacturers and sellers of such products must be aware of the Contact Heat test: ISO 12127-1, and the essential health and safety requirements for gloves including labelling. So that manufacturers and specifiers have all the information at their disposal, SGS has produced the following list of requirements, which will allow producers to design and fabricate products that meet the new requirements for gloves that are safe for use in a domestic oven. SGS UK Ltd suggests that using some of the clauses of BS 6526 is a good start, adding to this the new test method: ISO 12127-1 at a temperature of 250°C as required by EN 407 for the palm area of the hand. SGS also suggests that in order to meet the “essential health and safety requirements” for PPE gloves, the back of the hand is also protected against hot contact. The details of how well protected this should be is still not clear but SGS is recommending that if it is as good as the palm, then this will satisfy the requirements. Previously, such gloves would have been tested only in the new state, but under PPE rules the protection level has to be maintained throughout its useful life, which means that if the glove is washable, then the number of washes it can withstand has to be known and stated in the literature accompanying the product. This adds a responsibility to the manufacturer to be able to demonstrate that after a specified number of washes all properties, including the Contact Heat requirement, are maintained. Our table below gives SGS’ considered opinion on what is required from compliant domestic oven gloves under the new regulation.

For more information on DOMESTIC OVEN GLOVES: PPE UPDATED talk to SGS United Kingdom Ltd