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European regulations: what does en 511 require of cold work?

in 511

Whether it's work outdoors or in enclosed spacesExposure to cold is dangerous. Prolonged exposure a direct impact on workers' health.

Working in the cold: what are the risks? 

An environment is considered cold when the ambient temperature is below 5°C in a space sheltered from the wind. Body temperature is maintained at an average of 37°C. and theThe body then sets about increasing heat production.  However, when heat loss is greater than heat production, body temperature starts to drop. This is exposed to several effects such as temporary numbness or a cold.  What are the serious effects of prolonged exposure to the cold?
  • HypothermiaHypothermia is a sudden drop in body temperature below 35°C, accompanied by violent shivering.
  • Frostbite : skin lesions whose severity varies according to the degree of exposure.
  • Vasomotor disorders: sensation of inertia or numbness in the fingers.
Other disorders and pains can be added to this list. These include musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) which can seriously affect arms and legs. 

How to anticipate cold-related risks?

The first step is to identify the main risk factors to which workers are exposed: 
  • Duration of exposure to cold
  • The workplace: Indoors or outdoors? Sheltered from the wind? 
  • The pace and difficulty of tasks
  • Use of unsuitable protective equipment 
  • The presence or absence of heat-retaining shelters 
Preventing cold-related risks means above all avoid prolonged exposure. In the event that working hours cannot be arranged, the following are required ensure the protection of workers. To achieve this, workers must wear suitable clothing that provides complete protection from the cold.  Particular attention must be paid to Personal Protective Equipment, especially protective gloves for workers exposed to the cold. To do this, we European standard EN 511 specifies the glove's thermal resistance and insulating properties. 

What does the EN511 test involve?

Cold-work gloves undergo three tests to be considered compliant with this standard: 
  • Resistance to convective cold :
The thermal insulation of a glove is determined by measuring the power required to maintain a constant temperature between the surface of a preheated hand model and the cold ambient atmosphere. Measurement of the energy consumed to maintain an average temperature in each hand zone of between 30 and 35°C: performance level between 0 and 4.
  • Contact cold resistance :
The principle is to divide a specimen of known thickness into two plates: -   1 hot plate between 31°C and 35°C -   1 cold plate unspecified temperature (cold tap water) Temperature measurement on hot plate, sample and cold plate. Test standard 5085-1 defines a formula for calculating thermal resistance: performance level between 0 and 4.
  • The glove's water resistance :
Principle: the integrity of the complete glove is checked by immersing the glove in water up to the wrist line for 5 minutes while opening the fists in a regular manner. If water penetration = level 0, if impermeable = level 1. Note that EN 511 applies to gloves for protection against convective cold and direct contact cold down to -50°C.  Beyond this, for specific applications such as cryogenics, there is no standard or test method for verifying product resistance. For accidental splashes of cryogenic liquids, some laboratories have defined minimum levels of protection to be achieved. These laboratory recommendations add to ROSTAING's many years of experience in this highly specific field.

What protective equipment is needed to work in the cold?

To effectively protect workers' hands, ROSTAING has developed an innovative, ultra-resistant cold range suitable for all types of work: CANADA model
  • The model CANADA : recommended for logistics and food logistics work or the use of lifting devices or touch control devices, the CANADA offers guaranteed protection and comfort down to 0°C.
GANT-ROSTAING-INDUSTRIE-WINTERPRO WINTERPRO model]
  • The model WINTERPRO WINTERPRO: guarantees protection down to -10°C, making them ideal for use in food logistics, construction and landscaping. Their performance levels also enable them to handle abrasive and sharp parts in cold environments.
BLUE-ICE model
  • The model BLUE-ICE This ultra-technical glove is suitable for handling cold products but also for work in cold rooms or refrigerated chambers.
CRIO model
  • The CRIO model: particularly recommended for cryogenic handling or chemistry.
In line with our motto of quality above and beyond the norm, our ranges meet all the requirements of European standards.  Source : INRS