Rank: New forum user 
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I'm aware of the requirement for pressure testing and visual inspection of these gloves every six months.
I've spoken to the manufacturer who has indicated there is no use by date so can anybody give me a clue as to why our electricians where once told that they required disposing of a year from the date of manufacture? Nobody know where it has come from or why we still adhere to it.
Is there some guidance I'm missing?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Electrician's gloves are normally manufactured from natural rubber latex(NRL). All NRL gloves will deteriorate with time so, although your manufacturer may be technically correct in stating that there is no "sell by date" it is good practice to replace them at regular intervals. Whether annual replacement is correct, or whether it should be at shorter intervals, will depend upon the circumstances of use.
This is from one reputable manufacturer's catalogue:
"Protective gloves should be re-examined if the last electrical test is dated back more than 6 months ago.
Classes 00 and 0 - examination for air holes and visual inspection sufficient
Classes 1 to 4 - examination for air holes, visual inspection and electrical test required.
NRL gloves are affected by many factors, including any chemical contact, exposure to UV (relevant if working out of doors), etc., as well as physical abrasion, all of which can affect performance.
Chris
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Rank: New forum user
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Chris,
here's the problem. We moved to an alternative manufacturer as the gloves where reported to have a two year use by date. Neither manufacturer claims a use by date and both recommend testing at a maximum 6 month. The gloves that were originally used are £13 cheaper but the 2 year use by date was the final deciding factor, even though it appears to have no basis.
The gloves are used to work in simplex boards and are stored correctly after use so opportunities for damage are limited and will be picked up by the inspection procedure.
I have a pair here that are new out of the bag, pliant and have passed the pressure test and inspection. They were manufactured in April 07 so according to our criteria should have been disposed of 3 years ago. We are throwing away valuable stock, adding to our waste burden and for no apparent safety benefit??
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