When it comes to cold weather protection, it is critical to choose the right type of glove for the specific application. There are two main categories of gloves designed to protect the hands from cold temperatures: cold-resistant gloves and cryogenic gloves. Although both are certified according to EN 511, which establishes protection requirements for gloves against cold, these two types of gloves differ significantly in their characteristics and contexts of use. Let's look at the main differences.
Cold-resistant gloves: Protection for Extreme Conditions
Cold-resistant gloves are suitable for people working in low temperature environments, usually outside or inside cold storage rooms. They are designed to insulate the hands from the cold, maintaining body temperature and providing freedom of movement for the fingers, as well as preventing frostbite or damage related to low temperature.
These gloves are generally made of thermal and insulating materials that provide adequate protection against the cold without compromising functionality. In addition, many models of cold-resistant gloves are waterproof and windproof, adding an extra layer of protection against the elements. Areas of use include:
- Food Industry: for working in refrigerated and frozen environments (such as inside cold rooms).
- Logistics and Transportation: for outdoor operations during winter.
- Construction: for those working in environments exposed to cold.
- Rescue Teams: for operations in freezing environments.
These gloves are ideal for those facing cold weather, but not necessarily extreme temperatures such as those encountered in cryogenic environments.
Cryogenic Gloves: Advanced Protection for Those Working in Contact with Liquid Gases
Cryogenic gloves, on the other hand, are designed for more specific applications and require much more advanced protective features. Used mainly in medical-scientific laboratories and for industrial applications, in addition to being certified to EN 511, cryogenic gloves are tested by contact with liquid nitrogen, which reaches -196°C, preventing burns caused by liquid gas splashes. (Read more about the risks HERE).
Unlike cold-resistant gloves, cryogenic gloves:
- provide good flexibility and tactile sensitivity-essential for precisely handling very small objects, such as laboratory test tubes or delicate components in science and industry.
- are equipped with a water-repellent membrane that gives them suitable properties to resist liquid gas splashes. This feature is crucial in preventing cold burns, which occur if liquid gas comes into contact with the skin.
- are made of insulating materials with high heat capacity, which prevent direct skin contact with extreme cold. These materials act as a barrier, protecting hands and arms from critical temperatures.
- are designed at full arm length: Some models of cryogenic gloves are designed to cover the entire forearm or even the entire arm, to provide complete protection when handling cryogenic liquids or when working in highly hazardous environments, where even a small amount of exposure can cause significant harm.
Application Sectors of Cryogenic Gloves
Cryogenic gloves are used in a variety of industries that require advanced protection against extremely low temperatures. The main areas of application include:
- Scientific Laboratories and Research: used for the manipulation of cryogenic substances, such as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen and other low-temperature gases, used in research experiments and scientific tests.
- Medical and Hospital Industry: used for handling cryogenic materials in cryotherapy, freezing biological tissues, and storing biological samples such as stem cells and blood.
- Gas Industry: used in the production, transportation and distribution of cryogenic liquefied gases, such as in filling liquid gas cylinders.
- Aerospace Industry: used to work with cryogenic fuels, such as liquid hydrogen, in aerospace and rocket launch applications.
- Chemical and Petroleum Industry: in the handling of cryogenic liquids during plant cooling, production and transportation of chemicals at low temperatures, where it is necessary to protect operators from hazardous exposures.
- Food Industry: used in food processing and preservation through rapid temperature reduction (cryogenic freezing), to maintain food quality and safety.
- Metallurgy Industry: for cooling and handling metals at high temperatures.
Coval Safety's COLD Line: Cryogenic Gloves for Maximum Safety
Within its cold weather protection solutions, Coval Safety offers a COLD line of specialized gloves and accessories for protection against extreme cold and cryogenic burns. These products are designed to provide maximum safety, comfort and high performance, even under the most challenging conditions.
Choosing the right cryogenic gloves is critical to ensuring the safety of workers in extreme environments. Coval Safety offers advanced solutions, studying every detail to provide complete protection in every situation.
Discover all of Coval Safety's COLD line of cold weather PPE and protect your team with reliable, high-performance personal protective equipment.
Against skin exposure to very low temperatures, which can cause burn-like damage, we propose specific PPE, such as H.CRYO cryogenic gaiters:
✅Waterproof
✅Tested for liquid nitrogen -196°C
✅For cryogenic laboratories
For body protection, the L.CRYO cryogenic apron is the ideal safety device in tasks in contact with low temperatures.
Proposals for hand protection include CRYOKIT 400 cryogenic gloves, ideal for laboratory use, are tested for use with liquid nitrogen as they prevent burns caused by liquid gas splashes. Their length is designed to act as a barrier to forearms as well, against the risk of sudden splashes.
Finally, for those seeking complete personal protection in cryogenic environments, we suggest the CRYOKIT CASE. A handy case, useful for keeping PPE clean and safe, protecting it from dust and light.
Inside are the devices needed to make the most of the workday:
✅one pair of cryogenic gloves of your choice
✅one apron L.CRYO
✅one half-bonnet with CLEAR CRYO visor
✅a pair of H.CRYO gaiters
All PPE is manufactured from highly insulating technical materials and is a necessary solution to counter extreme frost, both during industrial activities and in extreme weather conditions.
EN 388:2016+A1:2018 protective gloves against mechanical hazards
EN 511:2006 protective gloves against the cold
A more protected worker
A job performed at its best
A richer and more respected company
A happier family