1. Detailed Meaning of EN ISO 10819
EN ISO 10819:2013 is an international standard titled “Mechanical vibration and shock — Hand-arm vibration — Measurement and evaluation of the vibration transmissibility of gloves at the palm of the hand” . Its core purpose is to define a laboratory method for measuring, analyzing, and reporting how much vibration is transmitted through a glove . Specifically, it quantifies the vibration transmissibility — the ratio of vibration passed from a handle through a glove to the palm of the hand — across one-third-octave frequency bands with center frequencies ranging from 25 Hz to 1250 Hz . This standard is crucial for objectively assessing whether a glove can be classified as having vibration-reducing properties.
2. Products Applicable to EN ISO 10819
The standard is primarily applicable to gloves intended to reduce hand-arm vibration. These are often marketed as anti-vibration (anti-vib) gloves.
- Core Product: Gloves that incorporate a vibration-reducing material covering the palm, fingers, and thumb .
- Material Evaluation: The specified measurement procedure can also be used to test materials being evaluated for use in gloves or for covering machine handles . However, it is critical to note that results from testing a material alone cannot be used to certify that the material (or a handle covering made from it) has anti-vibration properties. To be classified as an anti-vibration glove, the final glove product must be tested as a whole according to this standard and meet its performance requirements .
3. Testing Methods of EN ISO 10819
The standard specifies a detailed laboratory test protocol:
- Objective: To measure the vibration transmissibility of a glove .
- Process: The test involves comparing vibration levels measured at a handle with and without the test glove worn. Participants perform tests while gripping a vibrating handle .
- Equipment: It requires specific measuring equipment and proper transducer mounting.
- Challenge and Refinement: A known challenge in the test method is the potential misalignment of the palm adaptor (which holds the sensor under the glove), which can lead to inaccurately low transmissibility readings . Research has shown that providing test subjects with visual feedback on adaptor alignment can significantly reduce this misalignment, leading to more accurate and consistent results .
4. Important Notes on EN ISO 10819
- Regulatory Context (EU): For gloves sold in the European Union, compliance with EN ISO 10819 is part of meeting the requirements of the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Anti-vibration gloves fall under Category II PPE, requiring an EC type-examination by a notified body .
- Certification Scope: The standard focuses solely on vibration transmissibility. For a glove to be fully certified as personal protective equipment (PPE), it must also satisfy other fundamental health and safety requirements, such as those outlined in standards like EN 388 (for mechanical risks) and EN 420 (general requirements for gloves) .
- Amendments: The ISO 10819:2013 standard has been updated by two amendments: Amendment 1:2019 and Amendment 2:2021. These amendments provide additional or corrective content to the original 2013 document.
- Limitations of Gloves: The standard provides a test method, but the effectiveness of anti-vibration gloves in practice has limits. They are only one part of a comprehensive strategy to manage hand-arm vibration risk .
5. All Other Content Related to EN ISO 10819
- Standard Details: The current version is ISO 10819:2013 (Edition 2), which replaced the 1996 version . When adopted as a European Norm, it is prefixed “EN,” hence EN ISO 10819:2013.
- Development: The standard is maintained by ISO/TC 108/SC 4 (International Organization for Standardization, Technical Committee 108 on mechanical vibration and shock, Subcommittee 4 on human exposure to mechanical vibration and shock) .
- Broader Relevance: The standard contributes to Sustainable Development Goals.
