• Lower skin allergy risk – Look for synthetic materials such as nitrile instead of latex
• Prevent skin irritation – Look for Non Detectable (ND) chemical accelerator levels
• Reduce contamination risk – Ask for trend data around cleanliness
• Ensure correct size and fit – There should be a range of sizes available
• Select features for performance – Grip, length, dexterity, comfort, insulation

PPE Category III gloves are a minimum requirement for personal protection in applications where there is exposure to chemicals or micro-organisms. It does not mean protection against all chemicals and micro-organisms. Assess the risk and refer glove performance data for EN374-1 and -2 test standards.

For Viruses and Bacteria <500nm or Hazard Group 3-4 biological agents, all criteria must be met:

• AQL 0.65 / EN374-2:2003 level 3
• Pass ISO 16604:2004 and ASTM F1671-97b
• Cuff Length 30cm with Double Donning

Standard EN374-2 requires glove manufacturers to select and monitor against an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for pinhole defects.

Lower AQL = lower probability of pinhole defects. A pinhole carries the risk for a micro-organism to pass through the glove.

• Assess micro organism risk
• Define hazard classification of the biological agent
• Define size of micro-organism
• Select glove with appropriate Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) – the lower the AQL, the higher the level of protection:
  • AQL 1.5 = Level 2
  • AQL 0.65 = Level 3