As Electrical Risks Surge with Green Energy Boom, Industry Urged to Prioritise High-Performance Insulating Gloves to Prevent Injuries
Posted by: electime 12th September 2025
With the rapid rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, experts warn that outdated or inadequate hand protection could lead to a spike in electrical injuries, making the right insulating gloves a matter of life and death.
As the global shift toward electrification accelerates, so too does the risk for electrical workers exposed to high-voltage systems, arc flashes, and live circuits. In this high-stakes environment, a single oversight in hand protection can result in catastrophic injury or worse. Safety leaders and PPE manufacturers are sounding the alarm: choosing the right insulating gloves isn’t just compliance, it’s a critical lifeline.
According to OSHA and international safety standards, insulated gloves are mandatory when working on or near energised equipment. Yet, with evolving technologies like EV battery systems and solar inverters pushing voltage levels higher, the demand for advanced, rigorously tested hand protection has reached an all-time high.
“Electricians today aren’t just working on traditional power lines, they’re servicing 800-volt EV systems and complex renewable installations,” said a safety engineer at a leading energy infrastructure firm. “The gloves they used a decade ago may not be enough. This is no longer about comfort, it’s about survival.”
The Thin Line Between Safety and Disaster
Insulating gloves serve as the last barrier between a worker and lethal electrical current. Unlike standard work gloves, these specialised PPE items are dielectrically rated and tested to withstand specific voltage levels ensuring that even under extreme conditions, electricity doesn’t pass through the body.
But not all gloves are created equal. Under European standards EN 60903 and IEC 60903, gloves are classified by voltage protection level (Class 00 to Class 4), and using the wrong class can be as dangerous as wearing no gloves at all.
“Matching the glove to the job isn’t optional—it’s a fundamental rule of electrical safety,” said Kevin Rushton, MD at PENTA Electrical Safety Products. “A Class 00 glove rated for 500V won’t protect a technician working on a 1,000V EV battery system. That mismatch can be fatal.”
Compliance Starts with Comfort
Even the most protective glove fails if workers don’t wear it. Studies show that discomfort, poor fit, and difficulty donning gloves lead to non-compliance especially during long shifts. To address this, next-gen gloves now feature ergonomic shaping, lightly powdered interiors, and textured grips to enhance dexterity and reduce fatigue.
Innovations like bicolour design where a contrasting inner layer makes punctures and cracks instantly visible are revolutionising pre-use inspections.
A Call to Action for Employers and Workers
As electrical hazards grow in complexity, industry leaders are calling for a renewed focus on PPE education, regular equipment inspection, and investment in certified, high-quality gear.
With trusted brands like Regeltex setting new benchmarks in arc flash protection, grip performance, and durability, electrical professionals across power transmission, EV servicing, and industrial maintenance now have access to gear that combines cutting-edge safety with real-world usability.
In the age of high-voltage innovation, hand protection must evolve too. Employers must ensure their teams are equipped with properly rated, regularly inspected, and ergonomically designed insulating gloves because when milliseconds count, the right pair could save a life.
For more information on electrical PPE standards and glove selection, visit www.pentaesp.com
