DECEMBER 3, 2024

Everything you need to know about Impact Protection

In high-risk jobs, your hands are often your most vital tools – yet they’re also the most vulnerable. With an intricate structure of 27 bones, numerous muscles, ligaments and nerves, hands allow us to perform a wide range of movements with remarkable precision. However, in many manual labor tasks, these delicate structures are exposed to risks of impact, cuts, abrasions, punctures and even chemical exposure.

According to OSHA, did you know that 71% of all hand injuries could be prevented with proper personal protective equipment (PPE)? Yet, many workers either forgo gloves or wear inadequate protection, leaving themselves vulnerable to painful and costly injuries. This is where impact protection gloves come into play. Engineered to safeguard against impacts that standard gloves can’t handle, these gloves offer enhanced defense in heavy-duty settings and also shield against other hazards, such as sharp objects and harmful substances.

By investing in proper impact-resistant gloves, companies can reduce injury rates, protect their workforce, and save on potential medical expenses, which can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars per incident. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about impact protection gloves: their benefits, types, standards, and what to look for when choosing the best protection for your job.

How Impact Protection Gloves Work to Prevent Injuries

Impact protection gloves feature an innovative system designed to absorb and disperse impact energy, thanks to thermoplastic rubber (TPR) components. These TPR panels, securely stitched to the back of the glove, and is key in protecting the bones and soft tissues of the hand by minimizing the force transferred during impacts. By dispersing energy across the TPR, these gloves help reduce the intensity of any direct hit, significantly lowering the risk of fractures or other injuries.

To ensure comfort and mobility, the TPR design closely follows the natural anatomy of the hand, allowing for a full range of motion without compromising safety. These elements come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the glove’s intended use. For instance, heavy-duty gloves typically feature more extensive TPR coverage for high-impact tasks, whereas lighter-duty gloves prioritize flexibility while still offering critical protection.

Comfort and Dexterity in Impact Protection Gloves

Despite the robust protection, impact gloves are engineered to be comfortable and offer excellent dexterity. TPR placement is carefully placed to protect high-risk areas while preserving the hand’s freedom of movement. This ergonomic design enables wearers to perform tasks effectively, even in demanding environments.

Standards for Impact Protection Gloves

ANSI/ISEA 138-2019

The American National Standard for Performance and Classification for Impact-Resistant Gloves (ANSI/ISEA 138-2019) sets minimum requirements for gloves designed to protect knuckles and fingers against impact forces in occupational tasks. This standard includes three performance levels, offering a clear system for evaluating impact protection.

Performance Levels

ANSI/ISEA 138 rates gloves on three levels of impact protection:

Level 1: Provides the lowest impact protection, suitable for low-impact tasks.
Level 2: Offers moderate protection, balancing impact resistance and dexterity.
Level 3: Delivers the highest level of impact protection, ideal for high-impact environments.

Performance Levels for ANSI/ISEA 138 Rates Gloves

Each glove’s rating reflects the lowest performance level recorded across multiple impact tests on both the knuckles and fingers. For example, if a glove scores Level 2 on the knuckles but Level 1 on the fingers, it is rated as Level 1 overall. Testing includes preparing and conditioning the gloves to measure the mean transmitted force, indicating the glove’s effectiveness in absorbing and dispersing impact energy.

EN 388 : 2016+A1:2018

In the EN 388 standard, which is widely recognized in Europe for protective gloves against mechanical risks, impact protection is addressed as an optional feature. The 2016 update to EN 388 introduced a specific testing method for evaluating impact protection in gloves. Based on the EN 388 impact test, the knuckle area is evaluated to determine the glove’s ability to absorb and dissipate impact energy. For gloves that meet the impact protection criteria, a “P” marking appears after the standard’s mechanical ratings, indicating a “Pass” in impact testing.

Unlike ANSI/ISEA 138, EN 388 does not have graded levels (like Level 1-3) for impact resistance; it simply confirms that the glove meets the minimum criteria to provide impact protection. The figure below shows how the tests differ from both standards.

Protect Your Hands with Custom Impact Protection Gloves

Impact protection gloves are essential for safety in high-risk jobs. At Dipped Products PLC, we pride ourselves on our ability to customize gloves to meet the specific requirements of our customers. By tailoring our gloves to fit various industrial needs, we ensure that workers can operate safely and efficiently. Protect your hands and invest in the best impact protection gloves today.

Discover our range of impact protection gloves, engineered for ultimate defense against impact risks.