Versant Power’s Safety Test Lab observes the highest standards for quality control and maintains strict adherence to OSHA and ASTM safety standards. The Test Lab, in operation since 1982, utilizes state-of-the-art equipment for all testing. We guarantee prompt personal service to our customers and can tailor a testing program for your individual needs. Test Lab personnel have worked in the field performing the very jobs where protective equipment is used and have a thorough understanding of the critical responsibility we have to our customers. Allow us to be of service to you by meeting all your rubber safety equipment testing needs. We welcome all inquiries and will be happy to provide quotes or program proposals tailored to your specific needs. Please contact us at: Versant Power Safety Test Lab Laboratory Inspection & Testing of Rubber Protective Equipment28 Penobscot Meadow DriveHampden, Maine 04444 Email Glove Testing at Versant Power John Seavey: (207) 973-2792 or fax 973-2745 Testing and Inspection Services OfferedTesting ProcessDocumentationEquipment Disposal Testing and Inspection Services Offered Rubber gloves (Class 00 through Class 4) Rubber sleeves Rubber blankets Insulated "hot sticks" Insulated line hose Fiberglass bucket liners Dielectric testing with AC (up to 100kv AC) current is also available for insulated aerial lifts (bucket trucks and digger trucks) at our facility or your fleet headquarters. Testing ProcessTesting of gloves, sleeves and blankets begins with installation of a non-conductive label that identifies a particular item. This label is used for tracking and documentation and also allows the protective equipment to be assigned to specific user-employees by a personal number and a customer code. Gloves and sleeves are first washed in a mild soap solution and dried. The items are then inflated and carefully inspected for cuts, tears, punctures, scratches, abrasions or any other conditions that could adversely affect the dielectric integrity of the item. If any of these conditions are present, the item fails the visual inspection and is rejected and immediately rendered unusable to prevent accidental reuse. Gloves, sleeves and blankets then undergo an electrical test as specified by the "class rating" of the item and the ASTM and OSHA Standards (maximum 40kv A.C.). Again, any item that fails the electrical test is rejected and immediately rendered unusable. DocumentationA complete record of the testing is documented on a test result sheet. One copy of the results is returned with the test order and a copy is kept at the Test Lab in a file maintained for each customer. Equipment DisposalAny item that is rejected can be returned to the customer or disposed of by us depending on the individual customer's needs. OSHA requirements in 29CFR 1910.137(b) cover the "in-service care and use" of rubber insulating equipment. This section lists testing criteria and establishes minimum test intervals in Table I-6. Type of Equipment When to Test Rubber insulating line hose Upon indication that insulating value is suspect Rubber insulating covers Upon indication that insulating value is suspect Rubber insulating blankets Before first issue and every 12 months thereafter* Rubber insulating gloves Before first issue and every 6 months thereafter* Rubber insulating sleeves Before first issue and every 12 months thereafter* *If the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not issued for service, it may not be placed into service unless it has been tested within the previous twelve months. Note: ASTM F496-91 Section 7.3 permits gloves that are used in industries such as telecommunications, where the gloves are used as protection against unintentional contact, to be retested at up to nine-month intervals.