Protection for hands against mechanical vibrations and shocks,
This International Standard specifies a method for the laboratory measurement, data analysis, and reporting of the vibration transmissibility of gloves with vibration-reducing material that covers the palm, fingers, and thumb.
EN ISO 10819:2013 - MECHANICAL VIBRATION AND SHOCK - HAND-ARM VIBRATION - MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE VIBRATION TRANSMISSIBILITY OF GLOVES AT THE PALM OF THE HAND
This standard specifies vibration transmissibility as a vibration transmitted from a handle through a glove to the palm in one-third octave frequency bands with centre frequencies of 25 Hz to 1 250 Hz. The measurement procedure specified in this standard can also be used to measure the vibration transmissibility of materials being evaluated for use as handle covers for machines or potential use in glove manufacturing. Results from this test, however, should not be used to certify that a material used as a handle cover will meet this standard’s requirements as they pertain to anti-vibration coverings. While materials tested through this method could be used in glove production, to be classified as an anti-vibration glove, gloves must be tested and certified in accordance with the measurement procedures detailed in this standard (e.g., vibration attenuation performance requirements).
In accordance with ISO 10819, the vibration reduction criteria for an anti-vibration glove are:
TRM < 1.0 (TRM = the overall transmissibility of vibration using a spectrum called “M” [31.5 Hz -200 Hz])
TRH < 0.6 (TRH = the overall transmissibility when using a spectrum called “H” [200 Hz - 1 kHz])
These requirements indicate that in the medium frequency range, an anti-vibration glove must not increase the vibration. In the high-frequency range, the glove’s overall effect must be the reduction of the frequency-weighted vibration by at least 40%.
This standard also requires that the resilient, or vibration-damping, the material must be placed in the glove’s palm, full finger, and thumb stalls.
Injuries that can occur due to exposure to mechanical vibration and shock are the blanching of fingers, spasms, numbness, and loss of coordination and dexterity. These symptoms are exacerbated by cold temperatures and can last between five and 15 minutes. This increasingly debilitating condition can disable workers and, in extreme cases, result in limb amputation.
To minimize the risk of injuries, specifically the onset of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), please consider the following options: lower the vibration exposure action value (EAV) or exposure limit value (ELV); wear anti-vibration gloves, or decrease vibration exposure time by developing more efficient processes or by introducing job rotation.
