Checking for punctures and cracks: inspection rules
The beginning of any electrical work using dielectric gloves is necessarily associated with a thorough examination of protective equipment for punctures, cracks and other mechanical damage. The presence of even the smallest defect is unacceptable, because in this case, the gloves lose their protective insulating properties and can pass an electric current, and this creates a danger for the employee.
Inspection of dielectric gloves for mechanical damage also has a certain frequency. It is performed during regular tests and before starting work. It is easy to identify cracks and tears on the surface of products - for this you need to twist them towards your fingers or fill them with water - many defects will immediately become visible. Additionally, an inspection is carried out for the presence of moisture, contamination.
Application rules
Before starting work, therefore, the gloves need to be inspected and checked for integrity.
You should also pay attention to the last test date and expiration date. Gloves that are too old can unfortunately become brittle and dry.
Accordingly, when carrying out work with their use, an electrician may receive an electric shock.
Wearing gloves relies on full depth. Moreover, their edge should protrude above the sleeves of the workwear.
One of the important rules for using dielectric gloves is that they cannot be cleaned with gasoline, alkalis or acids. For this purpose, it is allowed to use, as already mentioned, exclusively soda and soap.
Store dielectric gloves at temperatures from 0 to 25 ° C. Of course, such products should not be kept near open flames or heated objects, including heating radiators.
In some cases, dielectric gloves, like any other product, of course, have to be transported. When transporting such protective equipment from one climatic zone to another, it is prohibited to use them immediately. The delivered gloves should be preliminarily kept indoors at room temperature for 24 hours.
Features of use
Thus, dielectric gloves must comply without fail GOST 12.4.103-83, 12.4.183-91, etc. Also, before starting work, such products must be checked for damage. Even a small and inconspicuous puncture can cost an electrician his life in the future. Finding minor damage will be easy by simply twisting the gloves around your fingers so that the rubber stretches. Punctures and large cracks are immediately visible. In addition, the gloves can be filled with air.
Also, before starting work, make sure that there are no traces of dirt or moisture on the products. Soiled rubber will subsequently conduct electricity very well. Depending on the nature of the work performed, contaminated gloves are either disinfected, or simply washed with soda and soap. Of course, after performing this procedure, the rubber is thoroughly dried.
Safety regulations, among other things, prohibit tucking gloves when performing various types of work. This could result in electric shock. In especially serious cases, in order to avoid damage, leather or canvas gloves are worn over rubber dielectric gloves.
Glove requirements for electricians
Electricians' gloves belong to the main means of protection, so they must meet certain parameters. Among the basic requirements for dielectric gloves are:
- High quality workmanship - the gloves should not have residual traces of production, protruding rubber fibers, defective seals.
- The standardized sizes of the gloves must be respected, in particular, a length of at least 35 cm.
- On gloves, the stamp of the last check carried out in accordance with the established frequency is mandatory.
- Designation of marking Ev or Vn to determine the maximum voltage, and which the personal protective equipment of electricians is designed for.
- The absence of mechanical damage, pollution, moisture or cracks - these requirements are spelled out in GOST for dielectric gloves.