New test method for assessing glove grip

SATRA Technology Centre has
published two new test methods
relating to glove grip. SATRA TM437
covers finger and thumb ‘pinch grip’
and SATRA TM438 provides a
method of testing whole hand grip.

Satra says this new protocol will not
only provide manufacturers and
retailers with the exact information
they have been looking for, but will
also provide end users with the most
appropriate kind of glove for their
trade.

It has long been recognised that
good glove grip is an important
consideration for glove users.

Operability and even safety can be
compromised by gloves with poor
grip characteristics.

However, until now, widely
available substantive glove grip tests
have been unavailable to many glove
manufacturers and users. While
current glove standards concentrate
on protective properties, glove grip
assessment is either nonexistent or
limited to basic dexterity testing.

The new SATRA test methods are
intended to fill this gap, having been
developed in response to a demand
from within the glove industry for
better defined, practical tests and are
the result of a collaborative research
programme with leading industry
manufacturers.

Both SATRA grip tests can be
applied to a wide range of gloves,
from fine textile or latex products to
heavy-duty industrial gloves. Both
tests are designed to compare the grip
performance of gloves before and after
surface contaminants are applied. By
combining the two different test
methods an overall result for wholeglove
grip testing can be achieved.

Using a combination of objective
testing (force data produced from
load cells within the test equipment)
and user comments on glove
performance, SATRA’s tests are
intended to aid manufacturers’
development programmes and
substantiate any claims made, as well
as enabling end-users to better select
the correct glove material for the job
in hand.

It is expected that manufacturers
and users will specify these tests as
part of overall glove suitability
specifications as well as to satisfy
safety legislation – for instance to
support CE marking for the
European market to demonstrate
fitness for purpose and comply with
either the Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) Directive
89/686/EEC or the Mechanical
Devices Directive 93/42/EEC.

SATRA test methods are highly
regarded and can be found in many
procurement specifications including
those of the military.

Anyone interested in obtaining
copies of SATRA TM437 and
SATRA TM 438 should contact Gill
Tillin at SATRA ([email protected]).

For grip testing, research or
development of protective gloves at
SATRA contact Tom Bayes (email
[email protected] ).