Work gloves for UAE sites from Border, BSW and TopSafe: latex, nitrile and PU coated gloves, leather and welding gloves, HPPE cut-resistant and impact gloves, and disposable nitrile. Most models carry an EN 388:2016 rating.
Safety gloves supplier in UAE and Dubai
Border Safety Wears supplies work gloves for construction, maintenance, warehousing, welding and oil and gas from our Deira showroom in Dubai. The range covers our Border, BSW and TopSafe brands, and most coated and leather models carry an EN 388 mechanical rating shown on the product page.
Glove types in the range
- Cut resistant: BCRG 1457 has a 13G HPPE shell with PU coating, rated cut level C and abrasion level 4 under EN 388:2016. Sizes M, L and XL in grey.
- Impact: BIPG 8000 combines a 13G HPPE, spandex, nylon and glass fibre liner with a sandy nitrile coating and TPR guards on the back of the hand. EN 388:2016 rating 4X42C.
- Nitrile coated: BNTG 1454 is a 13G polyester glove with nitrile coating, rated 4121, for oily parts and maintenance. BNTG 1455 is the fully coated version on a cotton jersey liner, also 4121.
- Latex coated: BLTG 1451 has a 10G polyester shell and crinkle latex finish, rated 3142, for construction and industrial handling.
- Leather: BHG 119 has a reinforced leather palm, striped cotton back and rubberised cuff, rated 4233. BFG 116 (yellow, 4233) and the split leather BSG 130 and BSG 135 cover heavier handling.
- Disposable: BDG 7000 is a 100% nitrile, ambidextrous, 3.5 g glove for non-medical industrial use.
- Welding and general: heavy duty welding gloves BWG 1500 to BWG 1503, cotton knitted gloves in 400, 600 and 800 GM, and PVC dotted cotton gloves.
How to read an EN 388:2016 rating
EN 388 covers mechanical risks only. The rating is printed as four digits and a letter, sometimes followed by P.
| Position | Test | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1st digit | Abrasion resistance | 0 to 4 |
| 2nd digit | Cut resistance, coupe test | 0 to 5 |
| 3rd digit | Tear resistance | 0 to 4 |
| 4th digit | Puncture resistance | 0 to 4 |
| Letter | Cut resistance, ISO 13997 (TDM test) | A to F |
| P | Impact protection to EN 13594 | Shown only if passed |
Higher is better in every position. X means the property was not tested or the test does not apply. HPPE and glass fibre yarns blunt the coupe blade, so on those gloves the second digit is often X and the ISO 13997 letter is the cut figure to rely on. Level A starts at 2 newtons, C at 10 N and F at 30 N.
Applied to our range: BIPG 8000 at 4X42C has top abrasion, cut level C by ISO 13997, tear 4 and puncture 2. TopSafe TNG 6004 at 3111X shows abrasion 3 and coupe cut 1, with no ISO cut test. Ratings such as 2121 or 3131 on the PU coated gloves mark them as handling gloves, not cut gloves.
Choosing gloves for Gulf conditions
- Sweat and grip: palm-coated gloves on a knitted shell let the back of the hand breathe in summer. Sandy nitrile, as on BSW 1458 and BIPG 8000, is made for grip on oily parts.
- Shell gauge: 10G shells are thicker and hard-wearing. 13G and 15G are thinner and give better feel for assembly and fastener work.
- Hot steel: steel left in the sun can be too hot to handle bare. Leather palms insulate better than a thin coated glove, and welding needs a dedicated welding glove.
- Chemicals: EN 388 says nothing about chemical resistance. For solvents and acids, check for an EN ISO 374 marking before use.
- Latex sensitivity: some workers react to natural rubber latex. Nitrile or PU coated gloves avoid that.
Related reading: 10 essential PPE items for construction workers in the UAE and building a PPE programme for UAE warehouse and logistics operations.
Bulk supply across the UAE, GCC and Africa
Gloves are a repeat item, so a corporate account with volume pricing suits most sites. Stock ships from Dubai with delivery within 24 hours across the UAE, and we supply Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. African buyers order through Border Africa. You can see and try samples at the showroom by Baniyas Square Metro Station, Exit 1, Deira, then request a quote through Add to quote or WhatsApp.
Pair gloves with safety shoes, eye and face protection and coveralls.
Safety Gloves: frequently asked questions
What do the numbers on EN 388 gloves mean?
EN 388:2016 gives four digits and a letter. The digits are abrasion (0 to 4), coupe cut (0 to 5), tear (0 to 4) and puncture (0 to 4), and the letter is the ISO 13997 cut level from A to F. An X means that property was not tested, and a P at the end means the glove passed the impact test.
Is cut level 5 the same as cut level F?
No. Level 5 is the top of the older coupe test scale, which is the second digit in the EN 388 code. Level F is the top of the ISO 13997 scale, shown as the letter, and means the material resisted at least 30 newtons. The two tests work differently, so compare gloves using the letter where it is given.
What cut level do I need?
Your risk assessment decides, but as a rough guide general handling and packing need little cut resistance, while sheet metal, glass and sharp-edged steel generally call for level C or higher. Look at the ISO 13997 letter rather than the coupe digit when comparing cut gloves.
Nitrile or latex coated gloves: which should I choose?
Nitrile coatings hold up well against oil and grease, so they suit maintenance, mechanical and automotive work. Latex coatings are flexible and give strong grip on rough materials such as blocks and timber. Some people are sensitive to natural rubber latex, so nitrile or PU is the safer choice for mixed crews.
Are EN 388 gloves suitable for chemical handling?
Not on the strength of EN 388 alone, as it covers mechanical risks only. Chemical protection is tested under EN ISO 374, so check for that marking and the chemicals listed before using any glove with solvents, acids or alkalis.
Can you supply safety gloves in bulk across the UAE and GCC?
Yes. We supply bulk and repeat glove orders with delivery within 24 hours across the UAE, and ship to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Corporate accounts and volume pricing are available, and quotes can be requested through the Add to quote button or WhatsApp.
Need Safety Gloves in bulk?Send your quantities and sizes. We reply with a quotation, usually the same working day.
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