ISEA Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Standard for Impact-Resistant Gloves
The standard, currently designated ISEA 138, would establish minimum requirements for performance, classification, and labeling in hand protection products designed to protect the knuckles and fingers from impact forces while performing tasks at work.
The International Safety Equipment Association is seeking public comments in response to its proposed new voluntary standard for impact resistance in hand protection. The standard, currently designated ISEA 138, would establish minimum requirements for performance, classification, and labeling in hand protection products designed to protect the knuckles and fingers from impact forces while performing tasks at work.
Impact-resistant gloves are commonly used in automotive, cargo handling, heavy equipment operation and construction, oil and gas, and towing/transportation industries. While standards and guidance have been in place for some kinds of hand injuries, such as for cuts, punctures, and chemical exposure, there has been no standard in place that addresses back-of-hand injuries, such as fractures, bruising, and finger pinching.
"ISEA members recognize that the decision-making process can be challenging, given the numerous glove designs currently available," said Chris Meadows, program manager of D3O and chairman of ISEA's impact-glove working group. "We believe the standard will enable safety professionals to make better-informed decisions about glove selection, ultimately reducing the number of injuries to a worker's important asset—the hand.”
ISEA will accept public review comments until Dec. 17. They should be submitted to ISEA Director of Member and Technical Services Cristine Fargo.
The association noted that consensus body members in targeted stakeholder groups are still being accepted. The reviewers submit comments and vote on approval of the standard, serving as the final authority in determining whether a standard is submitted to ANSI for acceptance as an American National Standard. ISEA seeks consensus panel members in the Government and General Interest categories.