Insulating Gloves & Sleeves - ASTM F496-24 Changes

Rubber insulating gloves and sleeves are essential personal protective equipment for individuals performing electrical work near exposed energized parts.

The Importance of Rubber Insulating Gloves and Sleeves in Electrical Work

When it comes to working with electricity, safety is paramount. Insulating gloves and sleeves are essential personal protective equipment for individuals performing electrical work near exposed energized parts. These gloves and sleeves are designed to protect workers from electric shock and burn injuries by providing a barrier between the hands and arms and any live electrical components.

Insulating gloves are typically made of rubber, which is a good insulator of electricity. They are designed to withstand high voltages and provide a layer of protection for the hands while working on live electrical equipment. Insulating sleeves, on the other hand, are worn over the arms to protect against accidental contact with energized parts.

It is crucial for workers to understand the importance of using insulating gloves and sleeves when working with electricity. Failure to do so can result in serious injuries or even death. Electrocution is a real risk when working with live electrical components, and proper insulation can prevent these accidents from occurring.

In addition to using insulating gloves and sleeves, it is also essential for workers to regularly inspect their PPE for any signs of damage or wear. Cracks, tears, or punctures in the gloves or sleeves can compromise their insulation properties and put the worker at risk. Any damaged PPE should be immediately replaced to ensure continued protection.

Proper training on the safe use of insulating gloves and sleeves is also critical for workers who are involved in electrical work. They should be educated on how to properly inspect, don, and doff their PPE, as well as how to work safely around live electrical equipment. Following safety protocols and procedures can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Insulating gloves and sleeves are essential PPE for individuals performing electrical work near exposed energized parts. These tools provide a vital layer of protection against electric shock and burn injuries. By understanding the importance of using and maintaining insulating gloves and sleeves, workers can ensure their safety while working with electricity.

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ASTM F496-24 Updates for Electrical Testing on Gloves and Sleeves at Consistent Intervals

It is imperative to conduct electrical testing on gloves and sleeves at consistent intervals, with a maximum of 6 months for gloves and 12 months for sleeves.

Insulating gloves and sleeves are essential personal protective equipment for individuals working with or near exposed energized electrical components.
The "269" standard (1910.269(l)(2)(i) and (l)(3)) mandates the following requirements:

Qualified employees within the Minimum Approach Distance to energized conductors must wear insulating (rubber) gloves in combination with leather protectors. If the upper arms or shoulders are within the Minimum Approach Distance to other energized components, insulating (rubber) sleeves must also be worn. In addition, 1910.137 outlines specific guidelines for the design, maintenance, and utilization of rubber electrical protective equipment. Insulating gloves and sleeves should be appropriately rated for the voltage that workers will be exposed to (whether phase to ground or phase to phase) and marked to indicate this rating. The standard identifies rubber equipment classes ranging from Class 0 (up to 1KV) to Class 4 (up to 36KV).

Design requirements for specific types of electrical protective equipment. Rubber insulating blankets, rubber insulating matting, rubber insulating covers, rubber insulating line hose, rubber insulating gloves, and rubber insulating sleeves shall meet the following requirements:

Testing and Inspection

Gloves and sleeves must be electrically tested before being issued for use. They must also be visually inspected and gloves need to be air tested for any possible defects (for example, cuts, holes, tears, embedded objects, changes in texture) before each day's use and whenever there is a reason to believe they may have been damaged. Best practice is to inspect PPE and air test the gloves and sleeves before each use. 

Insulating equipment may not be used if any of the following defects are present: holes, tears, punctures or cuts, ozone cutting or ozone checking, embedded foreign objects, texture changes, including swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic, and any other defect that damages the insulating properties.

Insulating equipment failing to pass inspection must be removed from service and may not be used by workers.

Insulating gloves

In addition, the gloves and sleeves must be electrically tested at regular intervals of not more than 6 months for gloves and 12 months for sleeves. (See ASTM F496, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves for some appropriate test methods.) When gloves and sleeves are used regularly, best practice is to test as frequently as monthly. [See 1910.137(b)(2)].

Protector Gloves and Storage. To ensure worker safety and the integrity of the gloves and sleeves, insulating gloves need to be worn along with protector gloves (such as leather), and both insulating gloves and sleeves need to be stored properly when not in use. Proper storage means that gloves must not be folded and need to be kept out of excessive heat, sunlight, humidity, ozone, and any chemical or substance that could damage the rubber. 

For additional information on the use of insulating gloves and sleeves, see ASTM F496, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves, and ASTM F1236-96, Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products. 

Table I-5–Rubber Insulating Equipment, Test Intervals

1 If the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not issued for service, the insulating equipment may not be placed into service unless it has been electrically tested within the previous 12 months.

1910.137(c)(2)(ix)

The test method used under paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(xi) of this section shall reliably indicate whether the insulating equipment can withstand the voltages involved.

Note to paragraph (c)(2)(ix): Standard electrical test methods considered as meeting this paragraph are given in the following national consensus standards:
ASTM D120-09, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves.
ASTM D178-01 (2010), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting.
ASTM D1048-12, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets.
ASTM D1049-98 (2010), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Covers.
ASTM D1050-05 (2011), Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Line Hose.
ASTM D1051-08, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Sleeves.
ASTM F478-09, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Line Hose and Covers.
ASTM F479-06 (2011), Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Blankets.
ASTM F496-08, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves.

This information has been referenced from OSHA:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.137#1910.137(b)(2)
and
https://www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/general/personal-protective-equipment/insulating-gloves-sleeves