Checklist for Installing Rubber Gloves

Checklist for Installing Rubber Gloves

The current checklist aims to help ensure the safety of electrical workers/technicians or engineers who utilize insulating rubber gloves. Although designed for the occasional user of electrical personal protective equipment (PPE), it also may be a useful refresher for technicians and or workforce who receive more in-depth PPE training. This checklist for the use of gloves should be reviewed by the user prior using rubber insulating gloves for blind penetrations, hand excavations, and other tasks where hidden energized electrical circuits could be accidentally contacted.

Manufacture, Marking, and Voltage Ratings

AC voltage ratings:

500 volts Class 00 17,000 volts Class 2

1,000 volts Class 0 26,500 volts Class 3

7,500 volts Class 1 36,000 volts Class 4

The Cuff marked with manufacturer’s name, and international standard level e.g., ANSI/ASTM D 120, type, class, and size.

Marked with the date of issue; must be retested no longer than 6 months from that date.

Inspection and Training

Verify PPE is within the retest period.
Visually inspect for cracks, holes, tears, rough spots, and other visible defects. Pay special attention to the working area (palms, fingers, and thumbs).
If contrasting colours (2‑coloured layers) are seen during the examination, gloves are not safe to use.
Visually inspect for foreign substances such as oil, grease, and dirt. Gloves should be CLEAN.
Demonstrate an air leakage test. Perform this test before use.
Should be Periodically examined gloves during work, especially if exposed to damage, metal shavings, etc.

Usage

Leather gauntlets must be used to provide mechanical protection for the rubber gloves.
Gauntlets do not provide insulating protection from energized conductors and circuit parts.
Do not use leather gauntlets as normal work gloves.
Periodically examine rubber gloves and gauntlets during work, especially if exposed to damage, metal shavings, etc.
If rubber gloves become damaged, dirty, or contaminated with oil, grease, or another chemical or substance, do not use and return for cleaning and retesting and or replacement.

Care and Storage

Visually inspect for cracks, holes, tears, rough spots, and other visible defects.
Pay special attention to the working area (palms, fingers, and thumbs).
Do not store if wet, dirty, or in a distorted condition (such as inside‑out).
In the case of rubber gloves become dirty, deteriorated and or contaminated with oil, or another foreign substance or chemical, don’t use and return for cleaning and retesting.
Store in an approved container (this should have been provided with the gloves).
Do not store other items (such as tools) in the glove container.
Keep away from direct sunlight, heat, and chemicals.
Make sure gloves are returned for testing no more than 6 months from issue date stamped on the cuff.
Treat gloves with respect-your life depends on them!

Always Do

To protect the workforce and or the technicians involved in the live electrical activities or job role ensure the integrity of the gloves, gloves need to be stored properly when not in use. Appropriate storage means that rubber gloves must not be folded and always be kept out of extreme heat, sunlight, humidity, chemical or substance that could deteriorate the rubber.