HAND PROTECTION
STANDARDS
Two Directives
89/656/CEE from 30 11 1989 concerns the use of PPE for the employer. 89/686/CEE from 29 12 1989 concerns PPE design for manufacturers.
	Category I Protects from minor risk only. Self-certification by the producer Marking CE.
	Category II Protects from regular and identified risks. Certified by a licenced laboratory. Marking : CE + norm pictogram with levels of performance (optional).
	Category III Protects from irreversible or fatal risks. Certified by a licenced laboratory and production is managed using a quality assurance system such as ISO. Marking : CE.0333 (surveying organisation) + norm pictogram with levels of performance (optional).

PATTERN

When leather is cut and sewn for industrial gloves, it is generally constructed in one of two patterns; Clute pattern and Gunn pattern.

Clute Pattern:
Recognised by the three parallel seams on the back of the glove. With a seamless palm, finger seams are to the front of the hand. This pattern is most popular for cotton flannel gloves. It offers comfort with no seams in the palm, as well as good hand protection

Gunn Pattern:
Recognised by the palm seam at the base of the two middle fingers. It has a seamless back and finger seams are to the back of the fingers for comfort. This pattern is particularly effective in leather palm gloves, because the leather on the front of the fingers extends two-thirds of the way around each finger eliminating exposed seams in palm ‘wear area’.

Reversible Pattern:
A Gunn cut style that has the thumb at the side of the glove. This pattern is usually only used in knitted or light weight cloth gloves.

CUFF & STYLE

Slip on/shirred:
Leather driver gloves have a slip on/shirred style cuff

Knit Wrist:
Most cotton and jersey gloves have a snug knit wrist. Leather palm gloves may also have this feature

Safety:
Leather palm style gloves have safety cuffs.

Gauntlet:
This style is also used for leather palm or welding gloves.

THUMBS STYLES

Wing Thumb:
Design for closed fisted work (shoveling, sweeping, etc). When the fist is closed seams are out of the wear area. This is primarily a durability advantage.

Straight Thumb:
Design for closed fisted work (shoveling, sweeping, etc). When the fist is closed seams are out of the wear area. This is primarily a durability advantage.

Keystone Thumb:
By far the most freedom of movement and most comfortable. This style is preferred by safety and health engineers because it is the most ergonomically correct working glove.

Reversible Thumb:
This pattern is usually only used in knitted or light weight cloth gloves. One major advantage of this style is that wearers can switch gloves after they have worn through on original palm surfaces.