It takes a close review of the different cut levels to choose the right glove for your workers. Also, it needs you to select the right glove that reduces cut risk, and maximize flexibility for a given task.

The American National Standards Institute’s ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut resistance standard uses a nine level scale. It helps users identify cut-resistant gloves that are needed for a specific hazard faced.

What is a cut-resistant glove?

While cut-proof gloves do not exist, gloves designed to cut-resistant are often misinterpreted as being cut proof. They are called cut-resistant as realistically, cuts are likely to occur during specific tasks. However, by wearing a cut-resistant glove, workers can avoid major cut injuries.
The main reason your workers need cut-resistant gloves is that the skin cuts very easily. some leather gloves are cut resistant, thanks to Kevlar lining.

As a general rule, cut-resistant gloves are intended to give 360 degrees protection by using high performance yarns such as Kevlar or HPPE (High Performance Polyethylene).
A coating will increase a glove’s cut resistance but only in the applied area, which is usually the palm (unless the glove is fully coated).

What are the levels of cut resistant gloves?

In the year of 2016 ANSI and ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) released a scale with 9 levels of cut protection. These levels show how many grams of cutting load a glove can bear from a sharp blade before being penetrated.

A1: 200 – 499 grams

A2: 500 – 999 grams

A3: 1000 – 1499 grams

A4: 1500 – 2199 grams

A5: 2200 – 2999 grams

A6: 3000 – 3999 grams

A7: 4000 – 4999 grams

A8: 5000 – 5999 grams

A9: 6000+ grams

If you closely look at glove specifications, the ANSI cut level will be displayed inside a badge.

Which level of cut protection is right for you?

If your workers need gloves for jobs such as:

Heavy construction

Mining

Rescue

Rigging

Iron working

Anything that puts your workers at risk of lacerations

In such jobs, your workers will need the highest level of protection in their gloves.

When they need mid-level cut resistance? Cut level pf between A3 and A5 (ANSI), if your workers need gloves for jobs that need good cut resistance and a high level of dexterity.

Those jobs may include:

Recycling plants

Salvage yards

Home maintenance work

Electrical work

When your workers need less cut protection? Your workers will need gloves with less protection if the risk of cuts and lacerations is very low. Gloves with less protection will be ideal for jobs like:

Catering and food industry

Some types of electrical work

Glass artistry

At GLOVEMART, we have a whole range of quality cut resistant gloves with varying levels of protection. We are always ready to offer gloves related advice to our clients as well. pleas visit our website for more information.