NOVAX INSULATING GLOVES

Rubber Insulating Gloves Protection Against Mortal Risk Even household power is lethal Well over 100 industrial fatalities in 2005 related to electricity according to the BLS Careless, unqualified and unprotected workers are at high risk Refresh basic safety awareness

Electrical Safety Depends On Properly designed, installed and maintained equipment and systems Thorough training to qualify workers for each task De-energize and lockout/tagout circuits over 50 volts when feasible Analysis of the hazards present or possible Well thought out work plan Selection of proper PPE

Glove Construction – Why Natural Rubber? High Dielectric strength (good insulator) Able to stretch and return (elastic) Resistant to moisture, cuts, puncture and abrasion Well suited for making seamless gloves Relatively inexpensive compared to synthetic polymers Very available

Production Process Latex Dip Process – Rubber Particles Are in Water, Builds Film Thickness Quickly, Long Leach and Slow Drying Required, Environmentally Friendly Solvent Dip Process – Solid Rubber is Dissolved in a Solvent, Requires Many Dips to Build Thickness with Drying Between Each Dip, Solvent Must Be Recovered

Design Requirements Seamless Construction Free from harmful defects Within required dimensional specification Able to pass specific physical and electrical tests – usually a “batch” or “lot” test Each glove is electrically tested

ASTM Glove Ratings Class Test AC Volts Use AC Volts Use DC Volts Label Color 00 2,500 500 750 Beige 5,000 1,000 1,500 Red 1 10,000 7,500 11,250 White 2 20,000 17,000 25,500 Yellow 3 30,000 26,500 39,750 Green 4 40,000 36,000 54,000 Orange Type I is not Ozone resistant (Natural Rubber) Type II is Ozone resistant (Synthetic Rubber)

OSHA Test Interval 1910.137 – Must be electrically tested before first issue and every six months thereafter (state OSHA trumps federal if standard is tighter) 1910.268(Tele-com) – Natural rubber insulating gloves must be electrically tested before first issue, twelve months after first issue and every 9 months thereafter Any un-issued glove that has not been tested within twelve months must be re- tested before issue.

When to Use Rubber Insulating Gloves It is up to the employer to determine the risk and establish the conditions under which rubber insulating gloves are required OSHA Regulations – 1910.335(a)(1)(i) Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical hazards shall be provided with, and shall use, electrical protective equipment that is appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed. NFPA - 70-E (See Chart 130.7(c)(9)(a) Hazard/Risk Category Classifications)

Visual Inspection Rubber insulating gloves should be visually inspected before each day’s use and after any action that could be expected to cause damage to the glove. Inflate to check for holes Roll between fingers to check for ozone/uv cracking Inspect leather protectors for damage or defects

Leather Protectors Leather protectors should be shorter that the Rubber Insulating Gloves By ½ inch for Class 00 and Class 0 By one inch multiplied by the class number for all other classes. Leather protectors must be worn except when the need for dexterity is compelling and in the absence of cutting or puncture hazards, certain restrictions apply Never wear leather protectors alone for electrical protection!

Cleaning Wash in warm water (85° F) with mild detergent, disinfect with a small amount of chlorine bleach Air or tumble dry at low heat (165° F) Gloves many be dusted lightly with talc to reduce tackiness

Storage Rubber insulating gloves should be stored in a glove bag, finger tips up, hung not laid flat. Never fold rubber insulating gloves. Leather protectors should be removed prior to storage. Store in as dry and cool (95° F maximum) location as possible, away from sources of ozone and direct sunlight.

OSHA Regulations (Occupational Safety & Health Administration US Dept of Labor) 29 CFR part 1910 – Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR 1910. Sub Part I – Personal Protective Equipment 1910.132 – General Requirements paragraph a, b, c, e and g only 1910.137 – Electrical Protective Devices 29 CFR 1910. Sub Part J – General Environmental Controls 1910.147 – Control of Hazardous Energy (lock out/ tag out) 29 CFR 1910. Sub Part R – Special Industries 1910.268 – Telecommunications 1910.269 – Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution 29 CFR 1910. Sub Part S – Electrical 1910.301 – Introduction 1910.302 thru 1910.308 – Design Safety Standards for Electrical Utilization Systems 1910.331 thru 1910.335 - Safety Related Work Practices

ASTM Standards (American Society for Testing and Materials) D120-02a – Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves F496-06 – Standard Specification for In- Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves F696-02 – Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens F1236-96 (re-approved 2001) – Standard Specification for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products

NFPA Standards (National Fire Prevention Association) NESC – National Electrical Safety Code - Utilities NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety In the Workplace – General Workplaces

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