SIST EN 12477:2002

Overview

SIST EN 12477:2002 - Protective Gloves for Welders is a European Standard developed by CEN. This standard specifies requirements and test methods for gloves used during manual metal welding, cutting, and allied processes. The primary goal is to ensure the protection of welders’ hands and wrists from specific hazards encountered during welding tasks, such as thermal risks, mechanical risks, and contact with molten metal and UV radiation.

Protective gloves that comply with SIST EN 12477:2002 offer vital safety performance, contributing to operator welfare and process quality within the welding and metalworking industries. This standard applies only to gloves used for manual welding and closely related activities, not for specialized or automated welding processes.

Key Topics

• Protection Scope: EN 12477-compliant gloves are designed to guard against:

  • Small splashes of molten metal
  • Short periods of exposure to limited flame
  • Convective and contact heat
  • Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from welding arcs
  • Mechanical hazards such as abrasion, tears, punctures, and cuts

• Performance Types:

  • Type A: Provides higher overall protection but with reduced dexterity. Suitable for most standard welding processes.
  • Type B: Offers greater dexterity but lower protection. Recommended where precise work is required, such as TIG welding.

• Testing and Requirements: The standard defines rigorous test methods and minimum performance levels in areas including abrasion resistance, cut/tear/puncture resistance, burning behavior, heat resistance, and resistance to molten metal splashes.

• Marking and Information: Each glove must be clearly marked with the standard number and type (A or B), including pictograms indicating thermal and mechanical risk protection. Manufacturer information and recommended applications must be supplied with each product.

Applications

SIST EN 12477:2002 is crucial in a variety of manual metalworking operations where welding is performed. Typical application areas include:

• Manual Metal Arc (MMA) Welding
• MIG/MAG Welding
• TIG Welding (Type B gloves preferred due to need for dexterity)
• Oxy-fuel welding and cutting
• Brazing and soldering (in processes similar to welding)

Industries that benefit from this standard include shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing, pipeline construction, metal fabrication, and maintenance sectors. By demanding compliance with SIST EN 12477:2002, organizations ensure a consistent baseline of personal protection for workers, reduce injury risk, and demonstrate conformity to European occupational safety regulations.

Related Standards

SIST EN 12477:2002 references and aligns with other key personal protective equipment (PPE) standards, including:

• EN 388: Specifies requirements for protective gloves against mechanical risks such as abrasion, cuts, tears, and punctures.
• EN 407: Covers thermal risks, including resistance to burning, contact heat, convective heat, and small splashes of molten metal.
• EN 420: Provides general requirements for glove design, sizing, labeling, marking, and information supplied by the manufacturer.
• EN 348, EN 367, EN 702: Outline test methods for molten metal resistance, heat transmission, and contact heat, respectively.

Adhering to SIST EN 12477:2002 enables manufacturers and employers to ensure high standards of occupational hand protection for welders, supporting compliance with EU regulations and industry best practices in health and safety. For comprehensive protection, it is recommended to consider these related standards in tandem with SIST EN 12477:2002 when selecting or specifying protective gloves for welding environments.