Cut resistant gloves are essential safety equipment for any job where you may come into contact with sharp objects. From construction work to food preparation, knowing which level of cut-resistant gloves to use can help you stay safe and protect yourself from injuries. Understanding the various levels of cut-resistant gloves can help you make the right choice for the job at hand. This blog will check the different cut-resistance levels and help you decide which level is best for your needs.
What are the cut resistant gloves levels?
Cut resistant gloves are a type of protective equipment designed to protect hands from abrasions, cuts, lacerations and punctures. The level of protection offered by these gloves varies depending on the material used in their manufacture as well as other factors such as glove thickness, construction, and fit.
It’s important to understand the different levels of protection and how they are determined. In the US, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides cut resistance ratings for gloves, and in Europe, the European Commission regulates cut resistance ratings. This standard is EN 388:2016.
The European cut resistant gloves standard: EN 388:2016
The EN 388:2016 standard is an industry-leading cut-resistance test developed by the European Commission that is designed to assess a glove’s ability to protect against sharp objects and materials. The tests measure the glove’s ability to resist abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture.
The European cut resistant glove standard is based on two different tests which are used to rate the cut protection of a glove: the TDM-100 Test and the Coup Test. The TDM-100 Test uses a machine to measure the force necessary to cut through a glove material, while the Coup Test uses a blade to measure the number of cuts it takes to penetrate the material.
When looking for a glove that meets the EN 388 standard, it is essential to pay attention to both tests; the findings of each test are combined to create the glove’s cut-resistance rating.
EN 388:2016 TDM-100 Cut Resistance Levels:
A: 2 – 4.9 newtons
B: 5 – 9.9 newtons
C: 10 – 14.9 newtons
D: 15 – 21.9 newtons
E: 22 – 29.9 newtons
F: 30+ newtons
EN 388:2016 Coup Test Levels:
EN 388:2016 Coup Test, also known as the ‘cut test,’ measures the glove’s ability to resist cutting from sharp objects and materials such as glass or metal. EN 388:2016 has five performance levels based on the results of this test – from Level 1 (lowest) to Level 5 (highest).
The EN 388:2016 Coup Test Levels indicate how well a pair of gloves can protect against cuts when exposed to sharp objects or materials. The higher the level number, the greater protection the gloves offer – so it is important for employers and workers involved in hazardous activities involving knives or glass to choose appropriate protective gear with an adequate level rating.
Look at the numbers and letters at the bottom of the photo. The numbers and letters represent ratings for protective gloves factors. Here’s each one elements means (left to right):
3: Abrasion rating
4: Cut (Coup Test) rating
4: Tear rating
3: Puncture rating
E: Cut (TDM-100) rating
P: Impact protection rating
Fore more detail information about EN388, please check this URL: https://www.anbusafety.com/en388-2016-protective-gloves-standard/
Example code under pictogram | Performance levels | What the test is for |
|---|---|---|
3 | 1-4 | Abrasion resistance |
4 | 1-5 | Cut resistance (Coupe Test) |
4 | 1-4 | Tear resistance |
3 | 1-4 | Puncture resistance |
E | A-F | Cut resistance (EN ISO 13997) |
P | P | Impact protection (EN 13594) |
The American cut resistant gloves standard: ANSI/ISEA 106
The ANSI/ISEA 106 standard protects against potential cuts, lacerations, and punctures while working or engaging in recreational activities. This standard comprises nine cut protection levels, ranging from A1 to A9. A1 is the lowest level of protection and A9 provides the highest level of protection. Each level has its performance requirements, and A9 is the highest level of cut protection for fabrics. It uses a 9-point grid that guarantees even cuts and prevents fabric from fraying.
The ANSI 106 cut resistant gloves levels indicate how many grams of cutting load a glove can withstand from a sharp blade before being penetrated. This is usually expressed as either gram of cut force or Newtons of cutting load.
A1: Protective gloves, Level 1: withstands 200 – 499 grams of cutting load
A2: Protective gloves, Level 2: withstands 500 – 999 grams of cutting load
A3: Protective gloves, Level 3: withstands 1000 – 1499 grams of cutting load
A4: Protective gloves, Level 4: withstands 1500 – 2199 grams of cutting load
A5: Protective gloves, Level 5: withstands 2200 – 2999 grams of cutting load
A6: Protective gloves, Level 6: withstands 3000 – 3999 grams of cutting load
A7: Protective gloves, Level 7: withstands 4000 -4999 grams of cutting load
A8: Protective gloves, Level 8: withstands 5000 – 5999 grams of cutting load
A9: Protective gloves, Level 9: withstands 6000+ grams of cutting load
Cut resistant gloves level 1
Cut resistant glove level 1 is the lowest level of protection available. These standard gloves are designed for light tasks that don’t require a high level of protection. They’re best for working with items with dull or rounded edges, like boxes, cans, and jars. They won’t protect your hands from sharp objects like knives or broken glass, but they can still protect against cuts and abrasions. We don’t recommend this level for hand cut protection.
Cut resistant gloves level 2
Cut resistant glove level 2 is designed to provide minimal hazards and light cut protection, making them a good choice for those who work with sharp objects or hazardous materials. but these gloves cant use for heavy-duty protection and should not be used in hazardous environments.
Cut resistant gloves level 3
Cut resistant glove level 3 is designed for medium level cut hazards, offering more protection than the lower levels. Although these gloves are designed for more hazardous situations than Level 1 and Level 2 gloves, they are still mostly only used for light protection.
Cut resistant gloves level 4
Level 4 cut resistant gloves are designed to protect for medium-level cut hazards. These gloves are perfect for applications such as glass handling, metal fabrication, food processing, and more.
Cut resistant gloves level 5
Cut resistant gloves Level 5 are designed to protect against medium to heavy cut hazards. These gloves are designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and durable, making them an ideal choice for workers who need to handle sharp objects or work with hazardous materials.
Cut-resistant gloves Level 5 offer the highest level of protection available, as they are tested to meet ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standards. These gloves have a cut resistant performance rating of A5, This rating indicates that they can protect users from cuts caused by knives, blades and other sharp objects.
Cut resistant gloves level 6
Cut Resistant Glove Level 6 gloves are designed with a special combination of materials to help protect your hands against high cut hazards. This includes both sharp and blunt objects, as well as liquids like acid and oil. The gloves are constructed using advanced technology, such as Kevlar and Dyneema, to provide superior protection.
Cut resistant gloves level 7
Cut resistant glove level 7 is designed to provide maximum protection against cuts and abrasions. It is rated to withstand forces up to 4999 g of cutting load, which is more than double the rating of cut resistant glove level 5, the second-highest level of cut protection. This makes cut resistant glove level 7 the perfect choice for workers who encounter heavy-cut hazards daily, such as those in the leather, metalworking, and glass industries.
Cut resistant gloves level 8
Cut resistant gloves Level 8 are designed to provide heavy-duty protection against cuts, abrasions, and other hazards. These gloves are tested and certified to withstand cutting loads of up to 5999 grams, which is equivalent to the force generated by a knife blade.
Cut Resistant Glove Level 8 is ideal for those who work in industries where cut hazards are common, such as food processing, automotive and construction. The gloves are also a good choice for those who work with sharp objects, such as knives, saws and scissors. The gloves provide excellent protection against cuts and abrasions, making them an essential safety equipment for any job.
Cut resistant gloves level 9
Cut resistant gloves Level 9 is the highest level of cut resistant gloves. These gloves are designed to withstand the highest cut hazards, withstanding up to 6000+ grams of cutting load. Level 9 Cut Resistant Gloves are ideal for those working in extreme environments with elevated risk of injury.
Cut resistant gloves level 9 are made with a combination of materials to provide superior protection from cuts and abrasions. The gloves are typically made from leather, Kevlar, and other synthetic fibers. The leather provides a strong base that can withstand sharp blades and abrasive surfaces. Kevlar and other fibers are woven into the fabric to provide additional protection and can resist cuts, abrasions, and punctures.
Are the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 and EN 388:2016 cut standards the same?
The short answer is no. While ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 and EN 388:2016 do have similar cut protection standards, they are not the same. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) developed their standard for testing and evaluating cut-resistant materials in 2016, known as the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016. This standard outlines procedures to measure the performance of gloves and other personal protective equipment designed to protect against cuts.
In contrast, EN 388:2016 is an international standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization that determines resistance to various mechanical risks such as abrasion, cut resistance, tear resistance, puncture resistance, and blade cut resistance. The EN 388:2016 Cut Resistance test uses a circular blade with a defined sharpness to measure the force required to penetrate a material or glove sample.
However, unlike ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 which mimics real-life scenarios more closely due to its use of straight blades moving along a single plane, EN 388:2016 offers only an indirect measurement of protection from cuts in real world applications.
How to choose the right cut resistant gloves level for you?
Choosing the right cut-resistant gloves level for your job can be difficult. With so many different levels of cut resistance available, it’s important to understand the differences between them to make the right choice.
When it comes to cut-resistant gloves, the higher the level of cut resistance, the better the protection they offer. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the European Community (EN388) have established glove standards that measure cut-resistant gloves’ effectiveness. ANSI and EN388 both measure the amount of force (in newtons) that is required to cut through a glove under laboratory conditions.
In general, ANSI rates gloves from A1 to A9, with A1 gloves providing the lowest level of protection and A9 gloves offering the highest level of protection. EN388 rates gloves from 0 to 5, with 0 providing the lowest level of protection and 5 offering the highest level of protection.
When selecting the right cut-resistant gloves for your job, you’ll want to consider the level of protection required. If you’re doing light to moderate cutting, you’ll likely want to select gloves with a lower level of protection, such as A1 or 0. If you’re dealing with heavier-duty cutting, you may want to select gloves with a higher level of protection like A7 or 5.
In addition to considering the level of protection, you’ll also want to consider the glove’s material. Cut-resistant gloves are typically made from Kevlar, Dyneema, or a combination of the two. Kevlar offers superior protection against cuts and abrasions, but it’s also more expensive and can be bulkier. Dyneema is more lightweight and offers a high level of comfort, but it’s not quite as cut-resistant as Kevlar.
Finally, it would be best to consider the glove’s fit. If a glove is too big or small, it won’t offer adequate protection. Select a glove that fits snugly to your hand for maximum protection.
Choosing the right cut-resistant gloves for your job doesn’t have to be difficult. By understanding the different levels of protection available, the materials used to construct gloves, and the importance of a proper fit, you can ensure that you select the right cut-resistant gloves level for your job.
Conclusion
Cut resistant gloves have different levels of protection, and it’s essential to choose the right level for your specific needs. Depending on the specific tasks you will be performing, you may need a higher or lower level of hand protection. It’s important to consider the materials you will be working with, the environment you will be working in, and the potential risks that you may be exposed to when deciding which level of the cut-resistant glove is best for your needs.
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