Welder's glove

A welder’s hands are the most exposed parts of the body during arc or flame welding operations. To protect themselves against the risks associated with their trade, professionals must wear suitable equipment. The welder’s glove is part of the mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE).

What are the different types of welder’s gloves available?

To meet the expectations of all professionals and different applications, several types of welding gloves are available.

In addition to the standard welder’s glove (unlined), there are models:

• with a heat-resistant Kevlar fleece lining
• with sewn reinforcements on the palm, thumb and index finger
• with a short or long cuff (these references offer optimal protection for the hands, wrists and forearms)

You can also consult our section dedicated to hand protection to find heat-resistant gloves, cold-resistant gloves or heat-resistant mittens.

What materials are used to make welding gloves and what are the differences?

Welding gloves are made of thick, flame-retardant leather, a material capable of withstanding high heat and molten metal splashes. This leather may come from different animal species (cow, goat, sheep). Its properties differ depending on origin and treatment.

• Full-grain leather comes from the densest part of the hide. It offers reasonable resistance to abrasion and puncture, as well as flexibility

• Split leather from cow or goat hide is made from the lower part of the skin. It is more resistant to abrasion, but less strong and durable than full-grain leather

• Nappa leather (goat, calf or lamb) has undergone a special tanning process to enhance softness and suppleness and to give it a smooth finish

Goat leather is most commonly used for gloves intended for TIG welding. It is known for its fineness and suppleness, enhancing dexterity and enabling precise, meticulous work.

The seams are made of Kevlar thread or aramid fibre.

What standards apply?

Welding gloves protect hands from heat, burns and electrical conduction. They are also designed to protect against cutting risks associated with handling metal or equipment.

EN 407 and EN 388 standards

To ensure optimum protection, welder’s gloves must meet specific standards. They comply with EN 407, which defines requirements against thermal risks.

Welding gloves must pass six performance tests assessing resistance to:

• flammability
• contact heat
• convective heat
• radiant heat
• small splashes of molten metal
• and large splashes of molten metal

For each of these tests, resistance is rated on a scale of 1 to 4.

In addition, welding gloves are tested for resistance to abrasion, cuts, tearing and puncture according to EN 388, which specifies requirements for mechanical risks.

How to choose a welding glove?

To select the right protective equipment, it is important to consider the applications to be covered and the markings indicated on the heat-resistant glove or in its product sheet.

Applications

The type of heat-resistant glove to choose depends on the welding operation.

The GISS welder’s glove in full-grain lamb leather is used for argon welding, metal handling and industrial maintenance.

The Tegera welder’s glove in split cowhide leather with jersey lining is suitable for heavy-duty work and major projects requiring effective thermal protection.

Markings

Several markings are mandatory on welding gloves:

• the first, consisting of six digits, indicates the resistance level in the six EN 407 tests
• the second, with four digits, specifies the resistance level against mechanical and cutting risks

The Rubix selection: which brands and models to choose?

We offer professionals certified, high-quality welding gloves. These protective items, from brands such as Ansell, GISS and Tegera, ensure the safety and comfort of all welders. They offer different levels of heat and cut resistance and are available in a wide range of sizes.

As essential personal protective equipment, the welder’s glove must protect hands while preserving the dexterity required for the welding process. Made of flame-retardant leather, it can be lined or unlined, and fitted with a short or long cuff. It should be chosen according to the level of protection required and the tasks to be performed (precision, handling).