EN 381 and EN 11393 standards for forestry cut-resistant clothing

Long characterized by the EN 381 standard, forestry cut-protection clothing related to the use of handheld chainsaws and chain saws is now certified EN ISO 11393. Indeed, since November 19, 2021, all new certifications must be designed according to the EN ISO 11393 standard, replacing the EN 381 standard. It was therefore necessary to adapt the certification levels from the old to the new standard by making some modifications.

Summary: 

• Choosing the right forestry equipment
• The old EN 381 standard
• The new EN ISO 11393 standard

Chainsaw cut-protection clothing is Category III PPE protecting against fatal risks and irreversible injuries. It is recommended for all logging, brush clearing or pruning work that exposes the user to cutting and slicing risks. Forestry professions and silviculture are therefore directly concerned and the use of this personal protective equipment is mandatory when using a chainsaw.

The equipment must include at least cut-resistant gloves, cut-resistant pants (or leg guards) and forestry cut-resistant shoes. This can be completed with sleeves, shin guards or cut-resistant jackets that protect the shoulders, arms and chest. For example, there are softshells with removable sleeves compatible with forestry sleeves. There are also cut-resistant t-shirts that protect the forearms, torso and belly against cutting and puncture risks. Professionals also use forestry helmets, ear protection and specialized gloves (logger, landscaper, thorns and brambles, etc).

When a product is certified according to the EN 381 standard, the manufacturer must indicate the corresponding protection class. Listed from 0 to 3, from lowest to highest, this class is directly related to the chain speed of the handheld saw.

• Class 0 - For a chain speed of 16 m/s
• Class 1 - For a chain speed of 20 m/s
• Class 2 - For a chain speed of 24 m/s
• Class 3 - For a chain speed of 28 m/s

The number that completes the EN 381 standard defines the type of clothing concerned. For example, EN 381-7 for protective gloves with reinforcements against chainsaws, EN 381-9 for protective gaiters and EN 381-11 for work clothing protecting the upper body (jackets or sleeves). The EN 381-5 standard concerns cut-resistant protective pants for chainsaw users. The protection must cover the entire length of the leg as well as an additional 20 cm from the crotch. This EN 381-5 standard distinguishes 3 types of leg protection.

• Design A: 180° front protection + 5 cm of blocking material on the outside of the left leg and inside the right leg
• Design B: front protection identical to design A + 5 cm inside the left leg
• Design C: complete 360° protection for both legs

Type A is sufficient for professionals in arboriculture and silviculture. Only particularly dangerous situations require type C pants, or when the user has not yet mastered chainsaw handling. Type B being very rarely used, it disappears in the new EN 11393-2 standard and evolves into a new design B that corresponds to clip-on leg guards (chaps style) to be attached over the protective pants when necessary. More practical and less restrictive, this new system is ideal for climbing arborists.

In addition to this important change, the new EN ISO 11393 standard simplifies the reading of requirements for professionals while incorporating the essential elements of the EN 381 standard. It introduces new test methods for cut resistance for different types of clothing (leg protectors, shoes, gloves, gaiters and protective jackets). Tests must no longer concern only one size of clothing, but also the extremes (the smallest and the largest). The EN ISO 11393-5 standard replaces the EN 381-9 standard and no longer allows certification of protective gaiters below class 1 (chainsaw speed of 20 m/s). Since November 19, 2021, all new certifications must be labeled according to the EN ISO 11393 standard.