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A worker handling a hot metal component, standing near a furnace, working with molten metal, or performing a hot-work task may face completely different thermal hazards.
This is why simply asking for a “high-temperature glove” is often not enough.
EN 407 provides a standardized way to evaluate protective gloves and other hand-protection equipment against different thermal risks, including flame, contact heat, convective heat, radiant heat, and molten metal.
For PPE buyers, the real question is not:
“How hot is this glove rated for?”
It is:
“What type of thermal hazard does this glove protect against, and at what performance level?”
This guide explains how EN 407 works, how to read its performance markings, and how to choose thermal protective gloves based on the actual working environment.
What Is EN 407?
EN 407:2020 is a European standard for protective gloves and other hand-protection equipment against thermal risks from heat and/or fire.
It covers six main types of thermal exposure:
- Limited flame spread
- Contact heat
- Convective heat
- Radiant heat
- Small splashes of molten metal
- Large quantities of molten metal
The standard is intended to help users understand the thermal performance of protective gloves and make more informed PPE selections.
EN 407 should also be considered together with EN ISO 21420, which establishes general requirements for protective gloves.
Why EN 407 Matters When Buying Thermal Gloves
The term “heat resistant” can be misleading.
Consider two workers:
Worker A handles metal parts heated to a high temperature for a few seconds.
Worker B works several meters away from a furnace and is exposed mainly to intense radiant heat.
Both workers need thermal protection, but they may need very different glove performance.
Similarly, a foundry worker dealing with molten-metal splashes faces a different hazard from a worker who occasionally touches a hot machine component.
Therefore, the best EN 407 glove is not necessarily the one with the highest rating across every category.
It is the glove whose tested performance matches the actual hazard.
Understanding the EN 407 Marking
An EN 407 glove may display a performance sequence such as:
EN 407: 4 2 3 4 4 X
The six positions represent six different thermal tests:
| Position | Thermal Risk | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limited flame spread | How the glove behaves when exposed to flame |
| 2 | Contact heat | Resistance to heat transferred from a hot surface |
| 3 | Convective heat | Resistance to heat transferred through hot air or gas |
| 4 | Radiant heat | Resistance to heat transferred by thermal radiation |
| 5 | Small splashes of molten metal | Resistance to repeated small molten-metal droplets |
| 6 | Large quantities of molten metal | Resistance to larger quantities of molten metal |
The performance level generally ranges from 1 to 4, with higher numbers representing higher performance within the relevant test.
An X means that no performance level is claimed for that particular property; it should not be interpreted as a protection level.
This is why buyers should always look at the complete marking, rather than simply checking whether a glove carries the EN 407 pictogram.
1. Limited Flame Spread
The first part of the EN 407 marking relates to limited flame spread.
It evaluates how the glove material behaves after being exposed to a flame, including characteristics such as after-flame and after-glow.
Performance is classified from Level 1 to Level 4, with higher levels indicating stronger performance under the specified test conditions.
Why is this important?
Limited flame spread performance may be relevant in applications involving:
- Open flames
- Hot-work environments
- Metal processing
- Industrial manufacturing
- Furnace operations
- Certain welding-related environments
However, limited flame spread does not mean that a glove is a substitute for specialized firefighting or welding PPE.
The application and relevant product-specific requirements must always be considered.
2. Contact Heat
Contact heat is one of the most important EN 407 properties for industrial glove selection.
It evaluates how the glove responds when its outer surface comes into contact with a heated object.
The EN 407:2020 contact-heat levels are:
| Level | Test Temperature | Threshold Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100°C | ≥15 seconds |
| 2 | 250°C | ≥15 seconds |
| 3 | 350°C | ≥15 seconds |
| 4 | 500°C | ≥15 seconds |
But there is an important point:
Level 4 does not mean “safe for continuous handling of 500°C objects.”
The temperatures above describe standardized laboratory test conditions.
Real-world protection can be affected by:
- Contact duration
- Object material
- Object shape
- Contact pressure
- Glove construction
- Glove thickness
- Moisture
- Heat transfer characteristics
- Frequency of contact
Therefore, procurement teams should never convert an EN 407 test level directly into a general workplace operating temperature.
3. Convective Heat
Convective heat is heat transferred through hot air or gases.
This can become relevant when workers operate around:
- Furnaces
- Ovens
- Heating systems
- Hot processing equipment
- High-temperature production areas
EN 407:2020 classifies convective heat performance according to the heat transfer index:
| Level | Heat Transfer Index |
|---|---|
| 1 | ≥4 seconds |
| 2 | ≥7 seconds |
| 3 | ≥10 seconds |
| 4 | ≥18 seconds |
The important point for buyers is that convective heat is not the same as contact heat.
A glove may perform well when touching a hot object but provide a different level of protection against hot air.
4. Radiant Heat
Radiant heat can be significant even when the worker does not touch the heat source.
Typical examples include working near:
- Furnaces
- Molten metal
- High-temperature machinery
- Glass-processing equipment
- Metal casting operations
EN 407:2020 evaluates radiant heat using a standardized heat-transfer test.
The performance levels are:
| Level | Heat Transfer Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | ≥7 seconds |
| 2 | ≥20 seconds |
| 3 | ≥50 seconds |
| 4 | ≥95 seconds |
For workers exposed to strong radiant heat, checking only the contact-heat rating can therefore lead to the wrong PPE selection.
5. Small Splashes of Molten Metal
Molten metal introduces a particularly serious thermal hazard.
The small-splash test evaluates the glove’s resistance to repeated molten-metal droplets and measures how many droplets are required to produce a specified temperature rise.
The performance levels are:
| Level | Number of Droplets |
|---|---|
| 1 | ≥10 |
| 2 | ≥15 |
| 3 | ≥25 |
| 4 | ≥35 |
This property can be particularly relevant in environments such as:
- Foundries
- Metal casting
- Steel processing
- Aluminum processing
- Metal fabrication
For these applications, buyers should consider more than just the glove material. Glove length, construction, coverage and compatibility with other PPE can also be important.
6. Large Quantities of Molten Metal
The sixth EN 407 property addresses protection against large quantities of molten metal.
This is particularly relevant to high-risk metal-processing and foundry environments where larger quantities of molten metal may come into contact with protective equipment.
The test uses specified quantities of molten iron to evaluate whether the glove construction provides the required protection under standardized conditions.
For these applications, procurement should be especially careful about the complete PPE system, rather than selecting gloves independently.
Depending on the risk assessment, workers may also require:
- Protective sleeves
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Protective footwear
- Face and eye protection
- Other specialized PPE
How to Read an EN 407 Code in Practice
Suppose a glove is marked:
EN 407: 4 2 3 4 4 X
A buyer can read it as:
4 — Limited flame spread
The glove has Level 4 performance for this test.
2 — Contact heat
The glove has Level 2 contact-heat performance.
3 — Convective heat
The glove has Level 3 performance for convective heat.
4 — Radiant heat
The glove has Level 4 radiant-heat performance.
4 — Small molten-metal splashes
The glove has Level 4 performance in this test.
X — Large quantities of molten metal
No performance level is claimed for this property.
This tells the buyer much more than simply:
“Heat-resistant glove.”
EN 407:2020 Has an Important Relationship Between Tests
There is another detail that professional PPE buyers should know.
Under EN 407:2020, when certain thermal properties are claimed at Level 3 or Level 4, the limited flame-spread test must also meet the required minimum performance.
This means the six numbers should not always be viewed as completely independent ratings.
That is one reason why purchasing decisions should be based on the complete test information rather than selecting a glove from a single number.
EN 407 vs EN 388: Do You Need Both?
This is a common question in industrial PPE procurement.
EN 407
Primarily addresses:
- Flame
- Contact heat
- Convective heat
- Radiant heat
- Molten metal
EN 388
Addresses mechanical risks such as:
- Abrasion
- Cut
- Tear
- Puncture
- Impact, where applicable
The two standards therefore address different hazard categories.
Imagine a worker handling a hot metal component with sharp edges.
The worker could face:
Thermal risk + cut risk + abrasion risk
In that situation, selecting a glove based only on EN 407 would not provide the complete picture.
A procurement specification may need to consider:
EN 407 + EN 388
This is particularly important in metalworking, manufacturing, foundries and other industrial environments where thermal and mechanical hazards occur together.
How to Choose EN 407 Gloves: A Buyer’s Approach
Instead of asking:
“Which EN 407 glove has the highest rating?”
start with these questions.
1. What is the actual heat source?
Is it:
- A hot surface?
- Open flame?
- Hot air?
- Radiant heat?
- Molten metal?
2. How long is the exposure?
Is the worker:
- Making occasional contact?
- Continuously handling hot components?
- Working close to a furnace?
- Exposed to repeated molten-metal splashes?
Exposure duration can significantly affect the practical PPE requirement.
3. Are there other hazards?
Consider whether the same task involves:
- Sharp edges
- Abrasion
- Impact
- Chemicals
- Oil or liquids
- Electrical hazards
The glove may need to provide multiple types of protection.
4. How much coverage is required?
For some thermal applications, hand protection alone may not be sufficient.
Depending on the hazard, buyers may need:
Gloves + Sleeves + Protective Clothing
rather than simply purchasing a thicker glove.
5. How much dexterity is required?
A glove with greater thermal insulation may be thicker or less flexible.
Ask:
- Does the worker need fine finger movement?
- Is precise gripping required?
- Are small components being handled?
- Is the glove worn continuously?
The right glove should balance protection and usability.
A Practical EN 407 Selection Guide
| Workplace Situation | Key EN 407 Properties |
|---|---|
| Handling heated metal parts | Contact heat |
| Working near furnaces | Radiant + convective heat |
| Hot manufacturing processes | Contact + convective heat |
| Foundry operations | Molten metal + radiant heat |
| Metal casting | Molten metal + radiant heat |
| Hot-work environments | Flame + contact heat |
| Hot parts with sharp edges | EN 407 + EN 388 |
| High heat + chemical exposure | Thermal + chemical protection requirements |
This table should be treated as a starting point for hazard assessment, not a substitute for a formal workplace risk assessment or application-specific PPE requirements.
Common Mistakes When Buying Heat-Resistant Gloves
Mistake 1: Choosing a glove because it says “heat resistant”
The phrase itself does not tell you which thermal hazard has been evaluated.
Always check the actual EN 407 performance marking.
Mistake 2: Looking only at contact heat
Contact heat is only one of the thermal hazards covered by EN 407.
A worker near a furnace may be more affected by radiant or convective heat.
Mistake 3: Treating the EN 407 temperature as a working temperature
A laboratory rating of 500°C should not be interpreted as:
“This glove can continuously handle 500°C.”
The test temperature is part of a standardized test method, not a universal safe-use temperature.
Mistake 4: Ignoring mechanical protection
Hot components may also have:
- Sharp edges
- Rough surfaces
- Cutting hazards
- Impact hazards
In such cases, EN 407 may need to be considered alongside EN 388.
Mistake 5: Choosing the thickest glove automatically
More material does not automatically mean better protection for every application.
A glove that is too bulky can reduce dexterity and grip, potentially making the task more difficult.
Mistake 6: Ignoring the rest of the PPE system
Thermal protection may involve more than gloves.
Depending on the risk, workers may also require:
- Protective sleeves
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Safety footwear
- Eye protection
- Face protection
PPE should be selected according to the complete hazard profile.
Which Industries Use EN 407 Gloves?
EN 407 protection can be relevant across many industries where workers encounter thermal hazards.
Metalworking
Workers may handle heated components, metal parts and production equipment.
Foundries
Thermal hazards can include intense radiant heat and molten-metal splashes.
Steel and Aluminum Processing
Workers may encounter high-temperature materials and molten metal.
Glass Manufacturing
High-temperature processes can create significant contact and radiant heat hazards.
Industrial Manufacturing
Thermal protection may be required when handling heated machinery, components or materials.
Automotive Manufacturing
Certain production and maintenance tasks involve heated components or materials.
Food Processing
Some industrial food-processing operations involve hot equipment, vessels or materials. The glove must also be appropriate for the specific hygiene and food-contact requirements where applicable.
Why Comfort Still Matters in Thermal Protection
Thermal protection is only effective when workers actually wear the PPE correctly.
A glove that is:
- Too bulky
- Too stiff
- Too hot inside
- Poorly fitted
- Difficult to grip with
may not be suitable for a task simply because it has a high performance rating.
This is particularly important for jobs involving repeated handling.
The goal should therefore be:
Protection + Dexterity + Grip + Comfort
rather than simply:
Maximum Rating
This is also where PPE selection becomes more than a compliance exercise.
The best product is the one that provides appropriate protection without unnecessarily interfering with the worker’s job.
What Should B2B Buyers Ask Their PPE Supplier?
Before placing a bulk order for EN 407 gloves, consider asking:
- Which EN 407 edition is the product tested to?
- What is the complete EN 407 performance marking?
- Which thermal hazards is the glove designed for?
- What is the contact-heat performance level?
- Does the application involve radiant or convective heat?
- Is molten metal involved?
- Is EN 388 mechanical protection also required?
- What sizes and glove lengths are available?
- Are test reports and conformity documentation available?
- Can the glove be customized for the application or brand?
These questions can help buyers move from simply purchasing a “heat-resistant glove” to specifying a fit-for-purpose PPE solution.
EN 407 Is Not a Single “Heat Rating”
One of the most important things to remember is that heat is not one single hazard.
A worker may experience:
🔥 Flame
🌡 Contact Heat
♨ Convective Heat
☀ Radiant Heat
🔥 Molten Metal
These hazards behave differently and require different performance characteristics.
EN 407 provides a structured way to evaluate these different risks, allowing PPE buyers to compare products according to standardized performance categories.
The right question is therefore not:
“Which glove has the highest EN 407 rating?”
It is:
“Which EN 407 performance characteristics match the hazards of this task?”
How CHEAMY Helps with Thermal PPE Sourcing
For B2B buyers, thermal gloves are often only one part of the PPE requirement.
A complete thermal-protection solution may include:
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Protective sleeves
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Safety footwear
- Welding PPE
- Eye protection
- Face protection
- Other task-specific PPE
At CHEAMY PPE, our approach is to look at the application first and the product second.
Instead of simply supplying a glove with a particular rating, we help buyers evaluate PPE based on the working environment, thermal hazards, mechanical risks, product specifications and applicable standards.
For distributors and industrial buyers, this also means the opportunity to source multiple PPE categories through one supplier, helping simplify product selection, communication, customization and international procurement.
Safety Meets Comfort
The right PPE should protect workers while remaining practical enough to wear and use correctly.
Conclusion
EN 407 is an important reference for selecting protective gloves against thermal risks, but it should not be reduced to a simple temperature rating.
When evaluating thermal protective gloves, look at the complete performance marking:
A — Limited Flame Spread
B — Contact Heat
C — Convective Heat
D — Radiant Heat
E — Small Splashes of Molten Metal
F — Large Quantities of Molten Metal
Then ask a more important question:
What thermal hazard does the worker actually face?
Once that is clear, the EN 407 performance levels can be used to narrow down the right glove.
And when thermal hazards occur together with cutting, abrasion, impact or other workplace risks, standards such as EN 388 may need to be considered as part of the overall PPE selection.
The best thermal glove is not simply the one with the highest number. It is the one whose tested performance, design and usability match the real job.
