Tech Guide for Lineman Gloves & Leather Protectors
Help defend workers from electrical currents with rubber lineman gloves and leather protectors. Learn how to select, inspect, and care for this PPE.
Workers handling tasks that expose them to electrical current need protection using PPE and safety signs. Lineman gloves are made of highly dielectric, strong, insulated rubber that acts as a barrier against varying degrees of voltage. These must be worn with leather protectors over them to prevent damage from abrasions, cuts, punctures, or other mechanical risks. Organization and storage are easier for employees with glove accessories such as bags and clips. Whether you call them lineman rubber gloves, electrical lineman gloves, or utility lineman gloves, this insulated rubber PPE is essential for any job involving exposure to high voltage.
Standards for Electricians’ Gloves
The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) has established strict guidelines that must be followed to ensure this product performs within standards:
Gloves have a 12-month shelf life from the initial certification date stamped on the product or case. They can be used for six months. After that period of use, the electrical safety gloves must be removed from service and recertified at an authorized safety equipment testing facility. Any glove not put in service within the 12-month shelf life must be recertified before it can be placed in service. After recertification, the 12-month shelf life starts again.
OSHA 1910.137 - Must be electrically tested before being put in service and removed from service after six months’ use to be recertified before being put back in use.
In short, a qualified testing lab should retest lineman's gloves every six months, per OSHA 1910.137, to keep them in service.
OSHA 1910.268 (Telecom) - Natural rubber-insulated gloves must be electrically tested before first issue, 12 months after first issue, and every nine months thereafter.
ANSI/ASTM D120 - This standard outlines six classes of lineman gloves, ranging from Class 00 and Class 0 to Class 1 through 4. These classes offer increasing voltage protection. Class 4 refers to high-voltage gloves for protection up to 36,000V AC (and have been tested up to 54,000V DC).
Inspecting Gloves for Electrical Work
When lineman's gloves are put into service, usage must be recorded. Safety and facility tags offer a convenient way to maintain this record. Before each use, a visual inspection is required by the user. This step entails looking for any defects that could compromise the product’s integrity (ability to provide the intended electrical insulation properties). Examples include but are not limited to cuts, tears, and abrasions (thin spots). Gloves should be inflated to check for holes. Lastly, roll them between fingers to check for ozone or UV cracking. Leather protectors must likewise be inspected for damage or defects.
Class 0 gloves and leather protectors, like all lineman's gloves, must be visually inspected before each use, not just at the six-month electrical retest interval. This before-use check is the standard timing for spotting the cuts, abrasions, or ozone cracking that can compromise Class 0 or any other class of insulating gloves.
If you come across a pair of out-of-date Class 0 (or any class) high-voltage insulating gloves, do not use them: send them to an authorized safety equipment testing facility for recertification before returning them to service.
Wear and Care
Clean hands before use.
Do not wear rings, bracelets, or other metallic objects that could be conductive.
Wear leather protectors that fit properly over the insulated electrical gloves.
Thin liners may be worn under rubber gloves to absorb perspiration or provide warmth in cold weather (found among general-purpose work gloves).
Wash in warm water with mild detergent.
Disinfect with a small amount of chlorine bleach.
Air or tumble dry at low heat.
Must be stored in a cool, dry place away from ozone and UV light.
Rubber gloves and leather protectors must be stored separately in protective bags with fingers up, hung, and not laid flat.
Related Electrical Gloves
Among lineman gloves, you may find anti-static designs. These protect sensitive components from electrical charges rather than shielding employees from dangerous voltages. Ensure your teams have the proper gear for their tasks to keep them safe and productive.
Shop Electrical Protection Gloves & Leather Protectors
To request a quote, please login to your existing account or register a new one. This helps us provide you with a personalized experience and keep track of your requests.