Glove Cut Levels Explained

Work gloves that have been specified as cut resistance level 3 are suitable for a wider range of uses including in areas where contact with blades and sharp edges is not uncommon.

Glove cut levels explained.

When it comes to cut resistant gloves levels are a helpful way to categorize the toughness of the fabric and its ability to withstand contact with blades chemicals or heat. The old level 4 is now divided into different levels a4 a6 and the old level 5 has been expanded to levels a5 a9. Wearing the correct glove is the most critical factor in proper hand protection. Globally there are two different performance standards for cut resistance.

The european standard en388 used in europe apac south america mexico and parts of canada and the us. Ohs experts seek hand protection gloves that shield appropriately but ideally still allow a fair bit of flexibility for fine motor. The addition of the new letter is due to inconsistencies in the old cut test when a blade was blunted by the test sample as this was deemed to no longer give an accurate cut protection level for gloves that blunt the test blade. The second digit in this number is the cut score with 1 being the minimum and 5 scoring the highest.

Feeling a bit in the dark about the recent changes to the cut testing standards. Ansi isea 105 2016 cut protection classification what s new. That means when looking at en 388 cut levels for any glove you re considering purchasing you ll want to look at these two different ratings. En 388 tdm 100 cut resistance levels.

Being the middle level of resistance cut resistance level 3 provides you with the best of both worlds you achieve protection but it is not at the expense of dexterity and control of. It s even more important to understand cut resistant gloves and the characteristics they hold. For example cut 3 glove or cut 5 glove. Cut resistant materials technology.

Cut resistance level 3. 2016 magid glove safety mfg. 2 4 9 newtons 204 508 grams b. 5 9 9 newtons 509 1019 grams c.

Guide to the new ansi and en388 cut levels. Educating the end user that while the crg is designed to provide protection in the event of a contact with a cutting hazard contact between blade and glove should. Gloves protective clothing printed in the u s a. The cut resistance of a level 3 glove is usually referred to as safe for handling sheet metals.

15 21 9 newtons 1530 2242 grams e. Where as level 5 cut resistance is safe for handling glass and level 1 cut resistance is good for mechanic s and general purpose. A level 1 glove subjected to a force above its tested capacity is likely to fail which makes matching the cut resistance glove to the level of force involved especially important. 10 14 9 newtons 1020 1529 grams d.

Cut resistant gloves come in various fabrics offering different level of cut resistance. Gloves are commonly referred to by their cut rating alone.