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PPE STANDARDS
Understanding standards to choose the right protection
EN ISO 11393, EN 388, EN ISO 20471, EN 343… These references appear on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) labels, but what do they actually mean?
What does a protection class represent? What is the difference between Type A and Type C chainsaw protective trousers? How should the numbers beneath a pictogram be interpreted?
FRANCITAL helps you understand the main standards applicable to forestry and professional protective equipment.
The aim is simple: to understand the essential information needed to select equipment suited to the risks encountered in the field.
1. CE MARKING: WHAT IS IT FOR?
CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product to comply with the applicable European regulatory requirements.
For Personal Protective Equipment, the reference legislation is Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
This Regulation establishes the essential health and safety requirements that PPE must meet before being placed on the European market.
Is CE marking a certification?
Not exactly.
CE marking is a regulatory conformity marking. Depending on the PPE category, the conformity assessment procedure may require the involvement of an independent notified body.
PPE is divided into three categories:
| Category | Risk level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Minimal risks | Certain equipment protecting against non-extreme weather conditions |
| II | Risks other than those covered by Categories I and III | High-visibility warning clothing |
| III | Risks that may cause very serious consequences | Clothing protecting against cuts from hand-held chainsaws |
Remember: CE marking does not mean that equipment protects against every hazard. Always check its intended use, performance and limitations.
2. PROTECTION AGAINST HAND-HELD CHAINSAW CUTS
EN ISO 11393 — The reference standard for forestry protective equipment
The EN ISO 11393 series defines the requirements and test methods for equipment designed to protect against cuts from hand-held chainsaws.
It covers several equipment categories:
| Part | Equipment concerned |
|---|---|
| EN ISO 11393-1 | Test rig and test methods |
| EN ISO 11393-2 | Leg protectors: trousers, bib-and-brace overalls and other protective garments |
| EN ISO 11393-3 | Protective footwear |
| EN ISO 11393-4 | Protective gloves |
| EN ISO 11393-5 | Protective gaiters |
| EN ISO 11393-6 | Upper-body protection: jackets and other garments |
What do the protection classes mean?
The classes correspond to the chain speeds used during standardised tests.
| Class | Chain speed |
|---|---|
| Class 0 | 16 m/s |
| Class 1 | 20 m/s |
| Class 2 | 24 m/s |
| Class 3 | 28 m/s |
Not all classes are necessarily provided for in every part of the standard.
Class 3 corresponds to a higher test chain speed than Class 1.
Important: these speeds are test conditions. They do not guarantee protection against a chainsaw operating at that speed under real working conditions.
How does chainsaw protective clothing work?
Chainsaw protective clothing incorporates materials specifically designed to limit the consequences of accidental contact with a moving chain.
Depending on their construction, protective fibres may be drawn into the cutting mechanism and help slow down or stop the chain.
No chainsaw protective garment can guarantee absolute protection.
Wearing PPE never replaces safe working practices, training or compliance with safety instructions.
3. CHAINSAW PROTECTIVE TROUSERS: TYPE A, B OR C?
EN ISO 11393-2 distinguishes several leg protection configurations.
The difference between types does not concern chain speed, but primarily the areas of the body covered by protective materials.
TYPE A — Protection mainly on the front of the legs
Type A covers the areas defined by the standard, mainly on the front of the legs, with the required lateral extensions.
It is commonly used for ground-based forestry operations where the risk assessment allows it.
TYPE B — Chaps-style protection
Type B refers to a protection configuration designed particularly for chaps worn over other clothing.
The protected areas must meet the specific requirements of the standard.
TYPE C — Extended protection around the legs
Type C provides more extensive coverage, particularly on the back of the legs.
It may be suitable when extended protection is required, depending on the risk assessment.
Remember:
The class indicates the chain speed used during testing.
The type indicates the configuration and extent of the protective areas.
Class 1 Type C trousers therefore do not provide the same coverage as Class 1 Type A trousers, even though both are tested at a chain speed of 20 m/s.
Suggested illustration: comparison diagrams showing the protected areas for Types A, B and C.
4. PROTECTIVE GLOVES: HOW TO READ THE STANDARDS
Gloves can protect against different hazards: abrasion, cuts, tearing, punctures, impacts or contact with a chainsaw.
It is important to distinguish general requirements from standards addressing specific hazards.
EN ISO 21420 — General requirements
This standard covers aspects such as ergonomics, innocuousness, comfort, sizing and information supplied with protective gloves.
On its own, it does not define a level of cut or puncture resistance.
EN 388 — Protection against mechanical risks
EN 388 assesses glove performance against several mechanical hazards.
The marking may contain up to six performance indications:
| Position | Performance assessed |
|---|---|
| 1 | Abrasion resistance: level 0 to 4 |
| 2 | Circular blade cut resistance: level 0 to 5 |
| 3 | Tear resistance: level 0 to 4 |
| 4 | Puncture resistance: level 0 to 4 |
| 5 | Cut resistance according to EN ISO 13997: level A to F |
| 6 | Impact protection: letter P if the test is passed |
Example: EN 388 — 3244X
3: abrasion resistance, level 3.
2: circular blade cut resistance, level 2.
4: tear resistance, level 4.
4: puncture resistance, level 4.
X: cut resistance test according to EN ISO 13997 not performed or not applicable.
The letter X does not necessarily mean that no protection is provided: it indicates that the corresponding performance was not determined by