Cut resistant glove ratings are one of the most significant aspects that can be considered during the process of picking the right safety gloves. These ratings are a standardized measurable solution to find out how effective a glove can be against cuts, slashes, and punctures. You would be able to make a well-informed choice balancing the safety, dexterity, and comfort of your job, and make a well-informed decision, which involves the meaning of these cut resistant glove ratings and the relationship between them and your particular job hazards.
Here we will discuss all you need to know about the cut resistant glove ratings such as what they are, how they are measured as well as how you can use them in order to get the best gloves to use in your work.
What are cut resistant glove ratings- And why they matter
We mean cut resistant glove ratings when we refer to standard measurements of the capacity of a glove to resist being cut, sliced or penetrated by a sharp object like a knife, piece of glass or an edge of sheet metal. The tests are a replication of real life hazards that the workers encounter in an industrial and manufacturing environment on a daily basis.
Why cut resistant glove ratings are important
Objective benchmarking:
Cut resistant glove ratings have the advantages of giving a clear and measurable means of comparing other brands and manufactures of gloves. Otherwise, marketing descriptions such as high cut protection or industrial strength would be of no assistance to the safety managers and workers as they are rather ambiguous and deceptive.
Proper hazard matching:
Each job implies a varying amount of risk. A warehouse packer who handles cardboard does not require as much cut protection as someone that cuts sheet metal. Gloves with too low rating may cause serious injuries, whereas too thick or heavy gloves may decrease dexterity and, in fact, predispose accidents.
Regulatory compliance:
In the U.S., OSHA and in the U.K., HSE occupational safety agencies demand that employers should provide them with the proper PPE. Wearing gloves that have been tested to meet accepted standards is a way of making sure that standards are adhered to and would limit the liability in case of an accident.
Reduced downtime and costs:
The loss of even one serious hand injury will save thousands of dollars in medical care expense, compensation, and loss of productivity. Wearing the correctly rated should be among the easiest methods to enhance the safety of the workplace and minimize costs.
Confidence and performance of workers:
Trusting employees increases their performance on PPE. When workers understand that their gloves are approved to withstand certain hazards they concentrate on their work and not on the risk of getting hurt.
Concisely, cut resistant glove ratings give the information as well as the assurance in choosing gloves that best fit your workplace.
The two main standards for cut resistant glove ratings
The resistance to cut gloves are rated by standardized tests that provide information of how the gloves withstand a cut, puncture and abrasion. Two standards are applicable worldwide, ANSI/ISEA 105 in North America and EN 388 in Europe and other places.
ANSI/ISEA 105 (North America)
The ANSI/ISEA 105 standard provides 9 cut resistant glove ratings (A1-A9) depending on the force (in grams required) to cut through the glove material. The Light protection in low ratings like A1-A3 are applied in works like assembly or package, A4-A6 apply to moderate hazards in building or metal works. A7-A9 gloves are fitted in the high risk industries like glass manufacturing or steel work as they have maximum protection but are less flexible.
A machine called TDM-100 is used in the testing process and a straight blade is passed through the machine at controlled pressure until the glove material has been cut. Greater ANSI levels imply greater protection, yet more often than not, more cumbersome, less dexterous gloves, and therefore, it is a matter of choosing the appropriate level based on trade-offs between protection and ease.
EN 388 (Europe and International)
EN 388 standard is a measure of overall mechanical performance, which includes abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance. Its rating system resembles 4X43F with each character referring to one of its properties. The final letter (A-F) indicates cut resistance with TDM/ ISO 13997 test with the highest being F. The standard can also have a P or F to show protection against impact.
EN 388, has two testing techniques, the Coup Test and the TDM/ISO test. The Coup Test is a test that determines the number of rotations that a rotating blade can complete before cutting through, and the TDM/ISO is a test that determines the amount of force needed in newtons (A 0 2 N to F 30 N or even higher). The latter technique is more consistent with the ANSI testing, and a better representation of cut resistance in high-performance materials.
Comparing ANSI/ISEA 105 and EN388 ratings
Although the two different systems measure the cut resistance, their scales and units are different, where ANSI is measured in grams whereas EN 388 is measured in newtons. No precise conversion exists, but approximately, an ANSI A6 glove is equivalent to an EN Level D or E. ANSI is much narrower in its view of what a glove can protect against, whereas EN 388 gives a more global outlook at the life of a glove against a variety of mechanical hazards.
Beyond Ratings: What really affects cut resistance
Performance depends on other factors, which are crucial, particularly the ratings. Some materials such as Kevlar, Dyneema and HPPE strike a compromise between strength and flexibility. Nitrile or polyurethane coating improves grip and abrasion. And fit is important- a tight or loose glove is not very safe as a worker can take it off.
What the numbers and letters man
The gloves have markings that condense their cut protection levels. In ANSI/ISEA, the gloves are categorized into classes A1 -A9 with the level denoting an incremental level of resistance to a cutting force. A1-A3 is light, A4-A6 medium to heavy hazards and A7-A9 very high cut exposure. To take an example, an A4 glove is resistant to approximately 1500-2199 grams of force and an A9 has a force of more than 6000 grams.
Coup Test According to EN 388, blade cycles (1–5) are measured in the Coup Test and force in newtons (A F) in the TDM/ISO 13997 test. A approximates 2 N and f approximates 30 N or higher which is the maximum cut resistance. A glove with 4X43D exhibits the strong cut protection about 15 N. A notation of X shows that the Coup Test was not done, usually due to the dulling of the blade by the material of the glove.
Materials, coatings & construction: What affects the ratings
A cut resistant glove ratings does not only depend on the test method, but much depends on the material that the glove is crafted out of, its construction process, as well as its coating. Here are the major factors:
High-performance fibers
- HPPE (High Performance Polyethylene) - easily cut, lightweight, various logistics, food or packaging gloves.
- Aramid fibers (such as Kevlar®) - higher protection level, heat resistance, handling of metals / glasses.
- Dyneema ® (UHMWPE) - lightweight and very strong material, suitable when precision is needed in jobs with the need of cut protection as well as dexterity.
- Blends of steel or glass fiber- used frequently in heavy-duty gloves touching sheet metal, glass or extremely sharp edges.
Coatings & exterior construction
- Nitrile coating- it is resistant to oil/grease and provides increased grip on wet oily surfaces.
- Polyurethane (PU) coating - good dexterity, tactile, fine handling.
- Latex- good adhesion and flex in both wet and dry surfaces.
- Thickness of coating, textured finish, palm reinforcement - all affect abrasion, grip and puncture resistance and cut.
- No construction of knits and correct fit - the protective fibers must cover the area, not leaving it uncovered, and a possibility of cut penetration is decreased.
How It ties to cut resistant glove ratings
- An HPPE + PU coated glove can be used as a medium-hazard glove,with ANSI A4 or EN TDM C performance.
- A glove that has a mixture of aramid or steel fiber coated/lined with thick nitrile can reach ANSI A7 or EN TDM of E/F that means heavy-hazard exposure.
- Nevertheless: There is a price to this increased protection: It may be thicker, less breathable, less dextrous or comfortable. It is still significant to select the appropriate rating of the appropriate task.
Matching cut resistant glove ratings to your hazard
Choosing a glove does not only mean picking the highest rating, but rather the right rating to match the level of hazard and also the task. To align cut resistant glove ratings to be used in your work place, here are step-by-step instructions to follow:
1. Identify the hazard
Question: what are the sharp things that I have? Blades, sheet metal, glass, wire, food slicers? Are the sides steady or in motion? How likely is a cut to occur? Do you have any lubricants or wet conditions?
2. Decide on required protection level
- Refer to rating tables.
- In case of light hazards (e.g. assembly, simple packaging): ANSI A1-A3 or EN level Coup 1-2 / TDM A-B can be used.
- In the case of medium hazards (e.g., metal handling, maintenance, general construction): ANSI A4-A5 or EN Coup 3 / TDM C-D.
- High hazards (glass, heavy sheet metal, edges of steel, high risk of deep laceration): ANSI A6-A9 or EN Coup 4-5 / TDM E-F.
3. Ensure overall glove performance
Cut resistant glove ratings is one part. But also examine: abrasion resistance, tear resistance, puncture resistance (in particular under EN 388). Touch in the surrounding (oily, damp, dry) is important. Workers need to be able to wear the glove which is where comfort, dexterity and fit come in.
4. Balance protection vs. performance
Excessively thick-gloved hands can slow down and lessen the dexterity of their hands, as well as bring about additional risks. A light glove can be inadequate in protection. The ideal glove is the one which satisfies the hazard, fits properly, employees use it consistently and can perform their duty.
5. Check the labeling
Find the cut resistant glove ratings badge: e.g. ANSI Cut Level A5 or EN 4 X 4 2 D P. There are gloves that will have both ANSI and EN cut resistant glove ratings. Test the standard version (e.g., EN 388:2016/A1). Ensure that the glove is based on the hazard that has been defined.
6. Monitor wear and replacement
The best-rated glove will become useless when torn, ragged, glazed by wear of coating, or due to repeated laundering. Introduce inspection and replacement system.
Common application examples
The following are real life situations and the cut resistant glove ratings that you may select:
- Assembly line / packaging (boxes, plastics): low chances of sharp edges. It may be suitable to wear a glove that is ANSI A2 or EN Coupe 2 / TDM A.
- General manufacturing (metal parts, tools): medium risk of cuts. You can use ANSI A4-A5 or EN Coup 3 / TDM C-D.
- Handling of glasses, metal sheet work, heavy maintenance: laceration is very likely. It is ANSI A6-A7 (or A8-A9) or EN Coup 4-5 / TDM E-F.
- Food processing / butchery (knives, slicers): you must have cut-resistance and hygiene. ANSI A3-A5, EN Coup 3 / TDM C-D can be sufficient, and food-safe materials must be used.
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Warehousing / logistics (handling bands, strapping, minor risks): lightweight is possibly enough: ANSI A2-A3 or EN Coup 2.
Care & maintenance: Maintaining your cut resistant ratings
The cut resistant glove ratings of a glove only works in case the glove is in perfect condition and is utilised correctly. These are the care and maintenance best practices:
- Check prior to use: Attentive to holes, thinning of cloth, glazing of coatings, frayed fibers - this means that the protection is likely to be damaged.
- Wash according to instructions by the manufacturer: A variety of cut-resistant gloves (HPPE, aramid) can be washed in a machine, but extreme detergent use, high heat drying or bleach should be avoided to prevent fiber destruction.
- Keep in store: Keep gloves dry, clean and do not expose to sunlight, chemicals, high temperatures or temperatures.
- Replacement: The coating can be worn out with time, although no obvious damage may occur, fibre fatigue can impair cut resistance. Gloves that are worn out ought to be changed.
- Keep a perfect glove fit and use: A too large or too loose glove can expose the skin; a glove that is too tight may tear or cause poor circulation.
- Track usage & life cycle: Replacement of gloves in high-use settings should be scheduled according to wear and not time, such as monthly inspections of gloves, quarterly replacement.
The protection of gloves is nullified when the integrity of gloves is compromised (e.g., a hole is created through the glove material during a test on the gloves exposing bare skin).
Read more: The ultimate guide to choosing good work gloves for every job
Final thoughts
At EvridWear, we believe that cut resistant glove ratings are a friend that you will have when making informed decisions when it comes to hand protection. By explaining (and clarifying) the meaning of the cut resistant glove ratings i.e. how they are tested, interpreted and applied- you are able to make sure that the level of protection that your workforce is given is just right, neither excessive (and would be unproductive) nor less than adequate (and would expose them to harm).
It is important to remember: not only the number of cut resistant glove ratings but also the glove matching the hazard. Fit, comfort, coating, dexterity and maintenance should always be checked. Review your glove programme after a time as newer materials and standards become available.