Protecting your employees should always be a main priority, and wearing the correct resistant glove is the most critical factor in proper hand protection. For this to happen we need to understand cut resistant gloves and the characteristics they hold. Listed below are some requirements to consider when choosing a glove material.
The first step is to identify the density of the equipment you will be working with. The heavier the equipment the stronger the resistant gloves need to be.
The next step is to look for its ratings and compare them to what you will doing. The best way to do that is to follow a chart, and according to ISEA Technical Director Janice Comer Bradley, CSP. “ANSI/ISEA 105 provides a consistent, numeric-scale method for manufacturers to rate their products against certain contaminants and exposures. With classification based on this scale, users can make better-informed decisions about which gloves are suitable for which tasks.”
| ANSI/ISEA 105-2005 Mechanical Ratings: | |||||||
| Rating | Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
| Abrasion Resistance* (Cycles) | < 100 | ≥ 100 | ≥ 500 | ≥ 1000 | ≥ 3000 | ≥ 10000 | ≥ 20000 |
| Cut Resistance (Grams)** | < 200 | ≥ 200 | ≥ 500 | ≥ 1000 | ≥ 1500 | ≥ 3500 | – |
| Puncture Resistance (Newtons) | < 10 | ≥ 10 | ≥ 20 | ≥ 60 | ≥ 100 | ≥ 150 | – |
| * Abrasion ratings 0 through 3 are based on measurements with a 500-gram load. Levels 4 through 6 are measured with a 1,000-gram load. **Weight needed to cut through material with 25mm of blade travel. |
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Another thing you’ll want to consider are the gloves’ characteristics and what it’s made of, such as Spectra Fiber, Kevlar® Aramid Fiber, Fiber Metal Blends, Metal Mesh, or SuperFabric®. The more cut-resistant properties that a manufacturer wants their glove to possess, the more of these fibers they need to combine. This leads to bulkier gloves. Extreme cut-resistant gloves are designed for very specific tasks, like changing slitter blades in paper mills or handling steel cables. Jobs where fine hand movement is not a concern but protection from severe cuts is paramount. If you don’t face those risks, a glove with lower cut-resistant properties will keep you well protected and save you money.
By reviewing your risks, the options that are available and the types of jobs that you’re doing, you can choose the best cut-resistant glove for you. We here at Safety Solutions and Supply can help guide you toward the perfect glove for the protection of your employees. For more information or if you have any questions give us a call today at 866-537-2262.
Safety Solutions & Supply
314 E. Canal St. (State Road 60)
Mulberry, Florida 33860
E-mail: in**@so***************.com
