ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Electrical Safety PPE

Does anyone have any information on electrical safety personal protective equipment (PPE)? Specifically, I am looking for info on pre-use tests and inspections that must be done on electrical safety gloves. I have heard of an air-test, but I am not sure what that entails. Can someone please describe it or point me to a website that may have the info.

Thank you in advance.

Scott Weichler
QVC, Inc.
Corporate Health and Safety Specialist

Scott I would give your local utility company a call,they have their gloves tested fairly often ,if they can't tell you any thing then try searching different utility companies and contact them

Scott,
OSHA reg 29 CFR 1910.137 gives the requirements for in-service care and use of rubber temporary insulation equipment. This includes gloves and blankets. The daily pre-use inspection for gloves requires an air test to check for pinholes and the air test also helps to identify some other defects. To do the air test, trap air in the glove by sealing the cuffs while the glove is filled out to its regular shape. Just curl the cuffs to trap the air. After some practice this can be done by holding the glove with a hand on each side of the cuff and flipping the gloves to spin the fingers around the cuff. Once air is trapped inside, squeeze the air to the different fingers and areas of the glove body to stretch the material. If there is a pinhole it will enlarge and be very apparent. Also if there are any other deformaties like lacerations or textures changes they will be more easily seen. There are inflators that you could buy, but they seem to not be practical for field use. Do not use your mouth to blow up the glove. The inspection of rubber insulation equipment reads more complicated than it actually is.

[This message has been edited by gpowellpec (edited 01-11-2001).]