ASTM F696-06(2019)

Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens

ABSTRACT
This specification covers leather protectors for rubber insulating gloves and mittens. Leather protectors shall provide mechanical protection only for the rubber insulating gloves and mittens. Leather material shall be grain cowhide, buffled gain cowhide, grain deerskin, grain pigskin, grain horsehide, or grain goatskin. Leather protectors shall be manufactured in clute, gunn, montpelier, or one-finger mitten patterns. Stiching, dimensions, workmanship, and markings shall conform to the requirements of this specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers leather protector gloves and leather protector mittens to be worn over electrical workers' rubber insulating gloves and rubber insulating mittens.  
1.2 It is intended that the gloves specified herein shall fit snugly and without undue wrinkles over rubber insulating gloves and rubber insulating mittens specified in Specification D120.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2019
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.15 - Worker Personal Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F696-06(2011) - Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM F496-23 - Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D6193-16(2020) - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Refers: ASTM D6193-16 - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM F496-14a - Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM F496-14 - Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Refers: ASTM D120-14 - Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Refers: ASTM D6193-11 - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM D120-09 - Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D6193-09 - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D120-08 - Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM F496-08 - Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D120-02a(2006) - Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Refers: ASTM F496-06 - Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM D6193-97(2004) - Standard Practice for Stitches and Seams
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004

Overview

ASTM F696-06(2019): Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and Mittens establishes requirements for leather protectors designed to be worn over rubber insulating gloves and mittens. The primary purpose of these leather protectors is to provide mechanical protection, safeguarding the underlying electrical insulation gloves or mittens from physical damage such as cuts, abrasions, and punctures. Importantly, the standard specifies that leather protectors do not offer any electrical protection themselves and must always be used in conjunction with properly rated rubber insulating gloves or mittens.

Key Topics

• Materials:
  • Specifies acceptable leathers such as grain cowhide, buffed grain cowhide, grain deerskin, grain pigskin, grain horsehide, or grain goatskin.
  • For certain classes, grain sheepskin or capeskin may also be used.
  • Leather used must meet minimum and maximum thickness requirements based on glove class and provide necessary durability without defects.
• Design and Patterns:
  • Leather protectors may be manufactured in clute, gunn, montpelier, or one-finger mitten patterns.
  • Different thumb designs (continuous, wing, set-in) and cuff specifications are permitted to ensure fit and protection.
• Workmanship and Marking:
  • Gloves and mittens must be formed to proper shape, free of defects, and constructed with reinforced stitching.
  • Each protector must be clearly marked with information such as size, manufacturer, and overall length.
  • Instructions or warnings indicating mechanical-only protection and referencing correct matching with rubber insulating gloves are required.
• Fit and Function:
  • Protectors should fit snugly over rubber insulating gloves and mittens as per ASTM D120.
  • Features such as drawstraps and reinforcement strips are specified to enhance usability and fit.
• Testing and Quality Control:
  • Materials and finished products must meet specific testing and manufacturing requirements to ensure consistency and durability.
  • Stitching, dimensions, and materials are controlled according to referenced ASTM and federal specifications to guarantee quality.

Applications

Leather protectors made according to ASTM F696-06(2019) are widely used in the electrical industry, particularly by linemen and other personnel working with energized electrical equipment. Key applications include:

• Utility Workers:
  Providing mechanical protection for rubber insulating gloves during installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical power lines and equipment.
• Industrial Electrical Work:
  Used by electricians in manufacturing plants, substations, and other environments where electrical hazards exist, especially where hand protection is critical.
• Railway and Telecommunications:
  Protecting workers’ hands in industries with substantial live electrical installations.
• Safety Compliance:
  Ensuring regulatory compliance with occupational health and safety requirements relating to electrical protective equipment.

By mandating the use of proper leather protectors, organizations can extend the service life of rubber insulating gloves and help ensure worker safety by preventing damage that might otherwise compromise electrical protection.

Related Standards

• ASTM D120 - Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves:
  Covers the requirements for the rubber gloves and mittens that leather protectors are designed to fit.
• ASTM F496 - Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves:
  Provides guidelines for care, inspection, and maintenance of electrical insulating gloves and sleeves, essential for ongoing safety.
• ASTM D6193 - Practice for Stitches and Seams:
  Referenced for stitching requirements, ensuring durability in leather protector construction.
• Federal Specification KK-L-170C and DLA MIL-DTL-32092:
  Source standards for leather quality and performance.

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By specifying the design, materials, and performance criteria for leather protectors, ASTM F696-06(2019) plays a crucial role in the overall safety system for electrical workers, helping preserve the integrity of electrical insulating gloves and supporting best practices in workplace safety compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F696 −06 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Leather Protectors for Rubber Insulating Gloves and
Mittens
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF696;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope rubber insulating mittens. The leather protectors shall not be
used for electrical protection.
1.1 This specification covers leather protector gloves and
leather protector mittens to be worn over electrical workers’ 3.2 It is common practice and the responsibility of the user
rubber insulating gloves and rubber insulating mittens. of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
instructions and regulations to govern the correct and safe use
1.2 It is intended that the gloves specified herein shall fit
of such equipment.
snugly and without undue wrinkles over rubber insulating
NOTE 1—Specification F496 provides significant guidelines on this
gloves and rubber insulating mittens specified in Specification
subject.
D120.
4. Materials
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 4.1 The leather for the body of the glove shall be grain
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the cowhide, buffed grain cowhide, grain deerskin, grain pigskin,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- grain horsehide, or grain goatskin. Leather shall be free of cuts,
open grub holes, or brand marks although well-healed grub
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. scars are permitted. For protectors for Class 0 and Class 00
gloves, grain sheepskin or capeskin are also acceptable.
2. Referenced Documents
4.1.1 The thickness of the leather in the hand portion shall
not be less than 1.00 mm (0.039 in.) nor greater than 1.60 mm
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(0.063 in.). For protectors for Class 0 gloves, the leather must
D120 Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
be provided in a minimum thickness of 0.58 mm (0.023 in.),
D6193 Practice for Stitches and Seams
with the maximum thickness being 1.2 mm (0.04 in.). For
F496 Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves
protectors for Class 00 gloves, the leather must be provided in
and Sleeves
a minimum thickness of 0.40 mm (0.016 in.) with a maximum
2.2 Federal Specifications:
thickness being 1.20 mm (0.047 in.).
KK-L-170C Leather, Kidskin or Goatskin, Chrome Tanned
DLA MIL-DTL-32092 Leather, Cattlehide, Deerskin and
4.2 The cuff shall be made of either leather or polymeric
Horsehide, Chrome Tanned
material or combination of both.
4.2.1 When leather is used for the cuff, it shall be of
3. Significance and Use
sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting with a minimum
3.1 The purpose of the leather protectors is to provide thickness of 1.2 mm (0.047 in.) and a maximum thickness of
1.78 mm (0.070 in.).
mechanicalprotectiononlyfortherubberinsulatingglovesand
4.2.2 When polymeric material is used for cuffs, it shall
have 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) minimum thickness and 1.78 mm
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
(0.070 in.) maximum thickness, and shall be supported with
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
fabric or equivalent to provide sufficient stiffness to be self-
Subcommittee F18.15 on Worker Personal Equipment.
supporting and to prevent excessive elasticity. Cuffs may be
Current edition approved June 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F696 – 06(2011). DOI:
made of one or two layers of cuff material.
10.1520/F0696-06R19.
4.2.3 Cuffs may also be molded in one piece of elastomeric
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
compounds, and shall be of sufficient thickness to be self-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on supporting.
the ASTM website.
4.3 An adjustable drawstrap shall be made of either grain or
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, Attn: NPODS. split leather, webbing, or “shirred elastic.” It shall be a
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F696 − 06 (2019)
minimum of 13 mm (0.50 in.), maximum 19 mm (0.75 in.) 5.2.1 There shall be a reinforcement consisting of a strip of
wide. Adjustability of drawstrap shall be obtained through the leather that shall extend from the cuff on the palm side across
use of metal or synthetic buckles, nylon rings, or Velcro
the thumb crotch.
fasteners, except for shirred elastic, which provides its own
5.2.1.1 Wing thumb patterns or protectors for Class 0 and
adjustability.
Class 00 gloves may be made with or without this strip of
leather.
4.4 Bonded nylon, polyester, or cotton thread shall be used
throughout the protector glove. When bonded nylon or poly-
5.3 The cuff shall be made of one or two pieces of cuff
ester thread is used, it shall be a minimum of size 69 and
materialandthereshallbealeatherorrubbershieldreinforcing
maximum of size 99, with the exception that when a looper
the front of the cuff. Protectors for Class 0 and Class 00 gloves
thread is used, its minimum size may be size 46. When cotton
may be cuffless or, if supplied with a cuff, may have the
thread is used, it should be size 16, 4-ply minimum.
reinforcing shield omitted.
4.5 The top edge of leather or polymeric cuffs shall be
5.4 Stitching—There shall be n
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