Cut protection gloves are essential for workers in various industries, from construction to manufacturing, where sharp tools and materials pose significant risks. With different types of gloves available under the EN 388 standard, it’s crucial to understand how to select the right pair to ensure maximum safety.
Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Cut Protection Gloves?
Choosing the right gloves protects workers from injuries, improving both safety and productivity. Using gloves that don’t meet the appropriate cut resistance levels can leave workers vulnerable, resulting in accidents, downtime, and potential non-compliance with safety regulations. As a leading gloves manufacturer, we ensure that our products are designed to meet these safety standards, providing optimal protection in every work environment.
What Are EN 388 Cut Resistance Levels?
The EN 388 standard, revised in 2016, measures cut resistance with two key tests:
- – The Coup Test, represented by the 2nd digit in the glove rating, measures resistance to
low-risk cuts. - – The TDM Test (ISO 13997), represented by the 5th digit, provides a more accurate assessment for gloves used in high-risk environments.
What does the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut standard mean?
The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard uses the ASTM F2992-2023 method, rating gloves from A1 to A9. Each level represents the gram force needed to cut through the glove material.
For low-risk jobs like warehouse work, gloves rated A3 and below are suitable.
However, for high-risk tasks that require more protection, such as metalwork or glass handling, we recommend gloves rated A4 and above
Are the tests for ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 and EN388 standards the same?
For the EN 388 standard there are two tests one is the Coup test and the other is the EN ISO 13997 (TDM) test. The Coup Test typically uses a rotating blade to cut through the glove sample. It measures how many cycles the blade takes to cut through the material.
Alternatively, the ISO 13997 (TDM) Test is more rigorous, using a straight blade and focusing on higher cut-resistant gloves. The TDM test provides more accurate results for gloves used in industries with extreme cut hazards, such as metalworking and glass handling.
Although the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard (ASTM) test, uses the same TDM machine, the testing method and units of measurement are different.
ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 measures in grams, while EN ISO 13997 measures in Newtons.
The table below showcases the comparison of the three tests
Understanding the different cut resistance levels helps to select the right cut protection gloves. This can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Read “The Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Cut Protection Gloves“ to learn in detail about the different standards.
By choosing gloves that match your specific safety needs and considering factors like dexterity, grip, and durability, you ensure better compliance and worker protection.
