Introduction
Hand injuries remain the single most common recordable incident in Gulf industrial facilities. From struck-by hazards on drill floors to razor-sharp sheet-metal edges in fabrication yards, the risks demand a specialist solution: impact-resistant safety gloves UAE buyers can trust to meet the latest European mechanical-risk standards.
This guide delivers:
- A clear difference between impact and cut protection.
- A breakdown of EN 388:2016+A1:2018 and EN ISO 21420:2020.
- How to read abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact scores.
- Sector-specific use cases across oil & gas, construction, and mining.
- An FAQ covering sizing, maintenance, and glove-replacement triggers.
Whether you spec impact protection gloves UAE for offshore rigs, supervise labelling under EN 388 safety gloves codes, or audit hand safety PPE Dubai sites, you’ll find actionable, citation-backed answers below.
Impact vs. Cut Protection—Key Differences
| Aspect | Impact Protection | Cut Protection |
| Primary hazard | Sudden crush or blow to knuckles/fingers | Sharp edges or blades slicing palm/fingers |
| Standard marking | “P” symbol on EN 388 shield (2016 revision) | 1–5 (Coupe test) + A–F (TDM ISO 13997) atg-glovesolutions.comguidegloves.com |
| Test method | 5 Joule impact dropped onto glove back; ≤ 7.0 kN mean transmitted force | Rotating blade (Coupe) & straight blade (ISO 13997) measure cut-through distance |
| Typical materials | TPR (thermoplastic rubber) pads, high-density foam | HPPE, Kevlar®, steel fibres, aramid blend yarns |
| Common sectors | Oilfield tubular handling, rebar tying, quarry hammer work | Glass fabrication, food processing, metal stamping |
Correct glove selection often means combining both protections—hence the rise of cut-resistant gloves UAE that also feature TPR back-of-hand guards.
Certification Breakdown: EN 388:2016+A1:2018 & EN ISO 21420:2020
EN ISO 21420:2020—General Requirements
EN ISO 21420 replaced EN 420 in 2020, setting baseline rules for glove design, innocuousness (no skin irritants), dexterity, sizing, and labelling. It is the “passport” a glove must hold before any specialist test can apply. iso.orgsatra.com
Key points:
- pH range 3.5–9.5—prevents skin irritation.
- Chrome VI ≤ 3 mg/kg—limits allergenic tanning residues.
- Size code must appear inside glove or on packaging (e.g., 9/L, 10/XL).
EN 388:2016+A1:2018—Mechanical Risks
EN 388 measures five hazards—abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, and impact. Ratings appear as a string like 4X43FP:
| Position | Hazard | Score Range | Example | Source |
| 1 | Abrasion | 1–4 | 4 | us.pipglobal.com |
| 2 | Coupe cut | 1–5 or “X” | X (test skipped if blade dulls) | |
| 3 | Tear | 1–4 | 4 | |
| 4 | Puncture | 1–4 | 3 | |
| 5 | TDM ISO 13997 cut | A–F | F | |
| P | Impact | “P” if ≤ 7 kN mean force | P us.pipglobal.com |
Any glove lacking the “P” code is not impact-rated, even if it boasts high cut scores.
EN 388 Performance Scores Explained
- Abrasion (1–4): Higher equals longer palm life against rough pipe collars.
- Coupe cut (1–5): Rotary blade cycles to cut through fabric; may be skipped if blade dulls.
- Tear (1–4): Force to propagate a tear; vital for snagging hazards in rebar work.
- Puncture (1–4): Nail-type spike penetration; crucial in scrap-metal yards.
- ISO 13997 cut (A–F): Straight blade; “F” is the highest (> 30 N).
- Impact (“P”): 5 J impact energy; ≤ 7 kN mean transmitted force needed to pass. atg-glovesolutions.comguidegloves.com
When comparing glove data sheets, prioritise F-P pairs for mixed cut and impact tasks common in UAE industrial deployments.
Sector Use Cases Across the GCC
| Sector | Typical tasks | Recommended EN 388 score | Supporting keyword use |
| Oil & gas (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | Drill-pipe handling, hammer unions, tong operations | 4X44FP | oilfield impact gloves |
| Construction (Dubai & Riyadh metros) | Rebar tying, formwork striking | 4543P | hand safety PPE Dubai |
| Mining & quarrying (Oman) | Ore chutes, conveyor maintenance | 4X44FP | |
| Manufacturing (GCC free zones) | Press stamping, metal fabrication | 4X44FP | impact protection gloves UAE |
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s drive to reduce Lost-Time Injuries explains a CAGR of 4.7 % in the UAE safety-glove market between 2024 and 2032. credenceresearch.com
FAQ—Sizing, Maintenance, Replacement
How do I choose the right size?
Follow EN ISO 21420’s sizing table: measure hand circumference (mm) and match to size code 7–12. Gloves too tight reduce cut scores; loose gloves snag.
When should gloves be replaced?
Replace at first sign of cracked TPR, puncture > 5 mm, or cut > 10 mm length—before scores degrade.
Can I launder impact gloves?
Yes—mild detergent ≤ 40 °C, air dry. Avoid bleach or high-heat dryers; both accelerate TPR aging.
Are EN 388 safety gloves accepted on Saudi Aramco sites?
Yes, if impact-rated (“P”) and cut class ≥ E for high-risk zones; always cross-check the Job Safety Analysis.
Key Take-Aways
- Impact and cut hazards differ—specify both protections where needed.
- EN ISO 21420 is the general glove passport; EN 388 covers mechanical risks.
- Look for 4X44FP or higher in oilfield and heavy-construction tasks.
- Confirm a visible “P” impact mark—otherwise gloves are not impact-rated.
- Rotate stock regularly; aging TPR loses energy-absorbing properties.
Conclusion & CTA
Selecting impact-resistant safety gloves UAE that carry valid EN 388 and EN ISO 21420 markings protects crews from crush blows and blade hazards—while satisfying site auditors from Abu Dhabi to Dammam. For more information or to send your inquiry, contact:
Takmeel Global General Trading LLC
Office #315, Makatib Building | PO Box 85250 | Port Saeed | Deira | Dubai, UAE
📞 +971 52 692 2575 | +971 04 256 4920
📩 info@takmeeltrading.com
