Heat Resistant Gloves Explained: EN407 Standard & Applications

Heat resistant gloves play a critical role in protecting workers and users from thermal hazards in industrial, commercial, and everyday environments. From handling hot cookware in commercial kitchens to working near furnaces or molten metal in manufacturing plants, selecting the right heat resistant gloves is essential for safety, efficiency, and compliance.

This guide explains what heat resistant gloves are, how the EN407 standard works, and how to choose the right gloves for different applications.

 

What Are Heat Resistant Gloves?

Heat resistant gloves are personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect hands from thermal risks, including high temperatures, open flames, radiant heat, and molten materials.

Unlike general-purpose gloves, heat resistant gloves are engineered with heat-insulating fibers, flame-retardant materials, or multi-layer constructions that delay heat transfer and reduce burn injuries.

They are widely used in:

Industrial manufacturing

Food processing & commercial kitchens

Welding & metal fabrication

BBQ, grilling, and outdoor cooking

 

Understanding the EN407 Standard

In Europe and many international markets, heat resistant gloves are tested and certified under the EN407 standard. This regulation evaluates how well gloves protect against six different types of thermal hazards.

Each glove tested under EN407 receives a six-digit performance code, with each digit representing performance in a specific heat test.

 

The Six EN407 Heat Tests Explained

Test Type	Thermal Risk	Description
Burning Behavior	Open flame	Measures after-flame and after-glow time
Contact Heat	Hot surfaces	Resistance when touching surfaces from 100°C to 500°C
Convective Heat	Hot air/flames	Delay in heat transfer through the glove
Radiant Heat	Infrared heat	Resistance to radiant heat sources
Small Molten Splashes	Metal droplets	Protection from small molten metal splashes
Large Molten Splashes	Molten flow	Protection against heavy molten metal exposure

 

Performance levels range from 0 to 4, where a higher number means better protection.

Important note:
A glove certified to EN407 does not guarantee maximum protection in every category. Always review the full six-digit code to ensure suitability for the intended application.

 

Common EN407 Ratings and Real-World Meaning

EN407 413X4X

Strong contact heat resistance

Typical applications:

BBQ and grilling

Bakery and food handling

Handling hot cookware

 

EN407 423324

High convective and radiant heat protection

Typical applications:

Foundries

Metal processing

Furnace operations

 

EN407 412X4X

Balanced protection and flexibility

Typical applications:

Automotive maintenance

Light industrial heat handling

Glass and equipment handling

 

Key Applications of Heat Resistant Gloves

Food Processing & Commercial Kitchens

Heat resistant gloves are essential for handling hot trays, ovens, steam equipment, and heated containers.

Recommended features:

EN407 contact heat level ≥ 3

Food-safe and washable materials

Flexible design for grip and dexterity

 

Industrial Manufacturing

Industrial environments expose workers to radiant heat, sparks, and prolonged heat contact.

Recommended features:

High convective and radiant heat resistance

Reinforced palms or leather overlays

Extended cuffs for wrist and forearm protection

 

Welding & Metal Fabrication

Molten metal splashes and sparks require specialized protection.

Recommended features:

Aramid fibers or split leather construction

Certified molten metal splash resistance

Thick insulation and flame-retardant layers

 

BBQ, Outdoor & Home Use

Short-term contact with hot grills or cookware is common.

Recommended features:

EN407 contact heat protection

Comfortable lining and non-slip grip

Easy-to-clean and durable materials

Materials Used in Heat Resistant Gloves

Different materials offer different levels of heat protection and comfort:

Aramid fibers (Kevlar® / para-aramid)
Excellent heat resistance, flame retardant, durable

Cotton terry or loop yarn
Good insulation, breathable, suitable for moderate heat

Split leather (cowhide or goatskin)
High resistance to sparks, abrasion, and heat

Aluminized fabrics
Reflect radiant heat in extreme temperature environments

 

EN407 vs EN388: Why Dual Certification Matters

Many heat resistant gloves are also exposed to mechanical hazards such as cuts, abrasion, and punctures.

EN388 covers mechanical risks

EN407 covers thermal risks

For industrial buyers, gloves certified to both EN388 and EN407 provide comprehensive hand protection in demanding environments.

 

How to Choose the Right Heat Resistant Gloves

Before selecting heat resistant gloves, consider the following:

What type of heat exposure is most common?

Is heat contact brief or prolonged?

Are there additional risks such as cuts or sparks?

Is comfort or dexterity critical for the task?

The best heat resistant gloves are those that match the real working conditions, not simply the highest-rated products.

 

OEM & Custom Heat Resistant Gloves

As an experienced glove manufacturer, we provide OEM and private label heat resistant gloves for global B2B customers, including:

Customized EN407 performance levels

Material selection and structural design

Logo printing and retail packaging

Flexible MOQ and stable production capacity

Our solutions are suitable for distributors, importers, industrial brands, and safety product suppliers worldwide.

 

Conclusion

Heat resistant gloves are a vital part of hand safety in environments where thermal hazards exist. Understanding the EN407 standard and matching glove performance to real applications helps reduce injury risks and ensures regulatory compliance.

Whether for industrial manufacturing, food processing, or BBQ use, selecting certified and application-specific heat resistant gloves is the key to effective protection.