Work Item
ASTM WK88007
New Test Method for Standard test method to assess glove durability
1. Scope
This standard will describe a method to assess the durability of any glove under a simulated in use condition. The standard will describe have the testing equipment is used and how parameters can and should be changed to allow testing of gloves of different thickness or polymeric materials and in dry or wet (a number of different wetting agents, can be used) environments.
Keywords
Glove durability; glove abrasion resistance; glove quality; glove safety
Rationale
Healthcare workers rely on medical gloves to protect them and
their patients against illness-inducing pathogens such as bacteria
and viruses as well as patient contamination with dangerous
drugs like fentanyl. Medical gloves provide a physical barrier
against blood and other bodily fluids, which may contain harmful pathogens. Unfortunately, many of these
gloves may be providing a false sense of
security due to lax manufacturing standards
and inadequate inspection rates. While the American Society for Testing
and Materials does provide
general standards for surgical and examination
gloves, before they are packaged, it does not provide a
standard for glove durability once the
gloves are removed from their packaging
and donned. This standard will allow manufactures to assess the relative durability of gloves made from a variety of elastomeric materials,
both natural and synthetic, and by different manufacturers.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 09-28-2023
Technical Contact: Katrina Cornish
Item: 000
Ballot:
Status: