01
Purpose
EN 60903 covers insulating gloves and mitts for live working. It distinguishes insulating gloves providing electrical protection from composite gloves providing electrical and mechanical protection.
SERNEM AUTHORITY CHECK
Standard source & status verification
Type
Standard
Edition
IEC 60903:2014
Status
Published reference
Jurisdiction
International / European adoption
A standards reference alone is not proof of product suitability; verify manufacturer documentation, class, test status and the task risk assessment together.
Open source ↗Hand / Electrical ProtectionTECHNICAL PPE LIBRARY
EN 60903
Insulating Gloves for Live Working Standard
EN 60903 covers insulating gloves and mitts for live working. It distinguishes insulating gloves providing electrical protection from composite gloves providing electrical and mechanical protection.
Product type
Insulating or composite glove for live working
Field focus
Code + product + conditions of use
TECHNICAL PRODUCT IDENTITY
EN 60903
EN 60903StandardCLASSElectrical classDATE/TESTTest statusAlways verify the actual product label, manufacturer technical documentation and conformity markings.
02
Typical use
Live electrical work requiring insulating gloves of a suitable class to control electric-shock risk.
03
What to look for?
Check EN 60903 marking, glove class, category/special properties and periodic-test status together with manufacturer instructions.
CLASSES & SELECTION LOGIC
Technical classes in this standard
A class code is not a selection decision by itself. Interpret it together with task-specific risk assessment and manufacturer data.
INSULATING
Insulating glove
Provides electrical protection; a suitable protector over-glove arrangement may normally be required for mechanical protection.
COMPOSITE
Composite glove
Product type combining electrical and mechanical protection.
READ THE PRODUCT LABEL
Code & marking decoder
EN 60903StandardLive-working insulating glove reference.CLASSElectrical classAppropriate class is selected from voltage/risk assessment.DATE/TESTTest statusPeriodic electrical test/service status is tracked per manufacturer and site procedure.READ THE PRODUCT IN THE FIELD
Where is the standard marking found?
Location varies by manufacturer and design. These are the first places to check; final verification must use the actual product and manufacturer documentation.
1
Standard/class marking on glove
The marking should be legible, durable and match the product.
2
Periodic-test record area / manufacturer label
The marking should be legible, durable and match the product.
STANDARD FAMILY
Standards often reviewed together
EN 60903Insulating and composite gloves for live working
EN 388Mechanical-risk glove; not an electrical-insulation standard
COMMONLY CONFUSED
They are not the same thing
Mechanical glove ≠ insulating glove
Cut/abrasion performance does not mean electrical insulation.
WRONG-SELECTION EXAMPLE
A typical field mistake
Using an EN 388 glove instead of an insulating glove for live electrical work.
Why is this a problem?
Electrical insulation requires different testing/classification.
Better approach
Verify the EN 60903 class appropriate to voltage and valid test status.
WHERE IN THE FIELD?
Typical applications
01
Live electrical work
02
Switchgear maintenance
03
Electrical isolation verification
HSE FIELD CHECK
30-second field check
Use for quick pre-checks. It does not replace certification, competent inspection or task-specific risk assessment.
CHECK FOCUS
Any hole, cut, crack or ozone damage?
CRITICAL MISTAKE
Using an EN 388 glove instead of an insulating glove for live electrical work.
BETTER APPROACH
Verify the EN 60903 class appropriate to voltage and valid test status.
1
Any hole, cut, crack or ozone damage?
2
Is class suitable for the task?
3
Is periodic-test/service status valid?
4
Where required, is the mechanical protector over-glove used correctly?
Related PPE standards
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