How often do insulated gloves have to be tested?

• A. Every week.
• B. Every 12 months.
• C. Every 3 months.
• D. Every 6 months.

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is that insulated gloves must be checked periodically to ensure they still provide adequate dielectric protection. Over time, even if gloves look alright, the rubber can develop microcracks, pinholes, or other degradation from aging, heat, ozone, oils, or mechanical wear. Regular testing catches these hidden faults before a glove is used in a live electrical situation, reducing the risk of shock.

Six months is the typical interval used in many safety programs because it provides a reliable balance: it’s frequent enough to detect meaningful deterioration but not so frequent that it becomes impractical or prohibitively costly. Before each use, gloves should also be visually inspected, and may undergo an air test or dielectric test during the periodic evaluation.

Choosing a shorter interval like weekly or quarterly would add unnecessary cost and effort for normal use, while a longer interval like yearly could let dangerous defects go unnoticed.