Our skin is highly delicate. A cut from a piece of paper can torture us for hours.
At the same time, a sharp blade can lead to irreparable damage. Therefore, we need a pair of cut-resistant gloves to protect us.
Cut-resistant disposable gloves are reusable gloves used to prevent mechanical damage to the hand. Yet, what are they made from? How are they used? How much safety do they offer?
If you are here, you are probably just like me, curious and thirsty for more information. But don’t worry; we will discuss everything related to cut-resistant gloves.
In this article, we will explore the
- Nature of cut-resistant gloves and the reasons why we need them
- Materials used to manufacture cut-resistant gloves
- Standards these gloves need to meet to be deemed cut resistant
- Difference between ANSI and EN 388
- Whether cut-resistant gloves are practical or not
Then we will offer you with:
- Guidance on how to purchase cut-resistant gloves
- Some tips for the glove’s maintenance and cleaning
- Information on the most durable cut-resistant glove brands
What are cut-resistant disposable gloves?
Cut-resistant gloves are a highly specialized type of PPE. Cut-resistant gloves provide you with the protection you need from lacerations and cuts.
They offer the safety you need when handling knives, ceramics, and metals.
Furthermore, cut-resistant gloves can resist abrasion and punctures. Therefore, they form a perfect barrier.
Additionally, they are classified according to the level of protection they offer. This guarantees you have a variety of options to choose from.
Thus, you can select the proper gloves for your business.
You are probably wondering now about the applications of these gloves… let’s explore their uses together.
Why should I use cut-resistant disposable gloves?
If you work with sharp objects, you need to invest in a pair of quality cut-resistant gloves. Cuts constitute almost 80% of hand injuries in the workplace.
Thus, cuts directly affect your ability to be productive and efficient.
Therefore, you need to protect your hand as they are your most precious tool. Especially if you work in one of the following professions:
- Food making
- Aeronautics and aerospace
- Agriculture
- Assembly and automotive
- Construction and carpentry
- Electronics
- Carving
- Glass production
- Mining
- Steel Foundries
Now, let’s focus on some common uses of cut-resistant gloves.
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Food making
Cut-resistant gloves are the perfect choice for the food industry. However, these gloves should meet specific standards. So, make sure you use gloves labeled “food grade.”
Thus, you might notice that butchers and fishermen use cut-resistant gloves always.
However, these gloves can also be used by anyone who cooks. We all suffer from cuts and lacerations in the kitchen.
Additionally, food-grade cut-resistant gloves are made to handle oily materials.
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Carpentry and metal handling
The tools used in carpentry constitute a severe hazard. You need to protect yourself if you constantly use a table saw, handsaw, grinder, or wire cutter.
As previously mentioned, most injuries in the workplace are due to cuts.
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Gardening
If you trim your bushes or tree branches, you are prone to cuts. Investing in your protection is something you should carefully consider.
Bottomline
Cut-resistant gloves are the go-to choice for many industries. They provide you with all the safety you need to perform tasks like trimming your garden, building a table, or simply making dinner.
Additionally, they are used by workers who operate heavy sharp machinery. It delivers them the defense they need.
Which materials are considered cut resistant?
At this point, you are probably thinking about this steel-like material that can resist cuts. How about we take a closer look at the materials used in manufacturing cut-resistant gloves?
These materials include:
- Metal mesh
- Kevlar
- Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR)
- Polyethylene
- Spandex
Metal mesh gloves
Metal mesh gloves offer one of the top levels of protection. These cut-resistant disposable gloves are usually made using stainless steel. The steel is made into an interlocking web that forms a glove.
Additionally, these metal gloves provide puncture resistance as well.
Dyneema gloves
These gloves are a type of polyethylene gloves of high molecular weight. They are made as a multifilament structure with spirals of wrapped steel.
Therefore, Dyneema cut-resistant disposable gloves are more flexible and offer more comfort. Additionally, they offer you protection in extreme temperatures.
Thus, these gloves are a popular choice in the kitchen.
Spectra gloves
Spectra cut-resistant gloves are also made of high molecular weight polyethylene. They are great in wet environments.
Additionally, it is 15 times as strong as metal mesh gloves.
Furthermore, spectra gloves are light and float effortlessly in wet environments. Therefore, they offer more protection with more comfort.
Thus, this material is highly flexible and has high durability. Accordingly, these gloves are popular in the food industry.
Kevlar gloves
Kevlar is one of the most popular choices for cut-resistant gloves. These gloves are lightweight and comfortable. Thus, it encourages their use.
Additionally, Kevlar is five times as strong as metal mesh. The material is also flame resistant. This makes the glove perfect for grilling, the automotive industry, and glass handling.
Bottomline
The materials used in cut-resistant glove manufacturing all provide some other sort of protection. They are either puncture-resistant, abrasion-resistant, or flame resistant as well.
Metal mesh, Kevlar, spectra, and Dyneema are the most common materials used to make cut-resistant gloves. Each of these materials forms an interlocking web that acts as a barrier to ensure your safety.
How are cut-resistant disposable gloves manufactured?
To guarantee the efficacy of cut-resistant gloves, they need to be tested. The gloves undergo several tests before getting accepted.
Among the standards they need to follow are the American National Standard Institution (ANSI) levels and the European EN standards.
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ANSI levels
ANSI standards used to be a five-level ranking system. However, the standards needed to be altered with all the new technologies and advancements in glove manufacturing,.
Now, ANSI provides nine different levels for ranking cut-resistant gloves.
Additionally, gloves that meet these standards are labeled “ANSI cut level.” And the rank number is written below the label. You will find that the ranking is written as follows: A1, A2, and so on.
How are the tests performed?
The gloves are placed in a machine that applies force to the gloves. These forces mimic several effects that range from paper cuts to running saws. The force can range from 200 grams to 6000 grams.
Each glove is tested three times and is subjected to three different forces. The blade is moved back and forth over the glove several times to ensure the glove’s strength.
Thus, ANSI standards provide the optimum ranking system for cut-resistant gloves.
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Cut level A1
This light-duty cut-resistant glove can withstand a force that ranges from 200-499 grams of pressure. Thus, it’s perfect for packaging, small-part assembly, and light hazards.
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Cut level A2
These gloves are suitable for light to medium hazardous environments. Therefore, they can be used in part assembly, construction, and automotive industry. Level 2 can resist forces that reach 999 grams of pressure.
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Cut level A3
Level 3 cut-resistant gloves are used for light and medium hazards as well. They are protective if you work in an environment where you handle sharp objects.
Additionally, they can be used in the paper industry. These gloves handle forces that range from 1000 to 1499 grams of pressure.
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Cut level A4
A4 gloves are made to withstand forces that range from 1500 to 2199 grams of pressure. They are used in several medium-duty industries. For instance, they are used in appliance handling, the production of metals, and the aerospace industry.
Additionally, they are used in HVAC work (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).
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Cut level A5
This level lies in the middle of the scale. It can withstand a force that reaches 2999 grams of pressure.
Thus, these cut-resistant gloves are used for heavy duties. Therefore, they can be used in the glass-making industry and floor installations.
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Cut level A6
These cut-resistant gloves offer you the protection you need to perform high-cut-hazard tasks. For instance, they are the go-to choice for the window manufacturing industry, metal stamping, and meat processing.
Level 6 gloves can resist forces that reach 3999 grams of pressure.
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Cut level A7
Level 7 cut-resistant gloves are used in demolition, welding, the automotive industry, and metal sheet processing. Thus, it is used in high-cut hazard work environments.
Additionally, level 7 cut-resistant gloves endure pressure ranging from 4000 to 4999 grams.
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Cut level A8
This level is for gloves that can tolerate forces that range from 5000 to 5999 grams of pressure. These gloves are used for heavy equipment maintenance, gas refining, and sawmills.
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Cut level A9
This is the highest level of protection cut-resistant gloves can offer. These gloves are made to endure a pressure of 6000 grams or higher. Therefore, they are used in highly cut hazardous environments.
Thus, they can be used for sharp metal stampings, recycling, and glass manufacturing.
Bottomline
Cut-resistant gloves are ranked from A1 to A9 according to ANSI standards. The ranking is based on the pressure the gloves can withstand.
Therefore, ANSI-tested cut-resistant gloves are used in several industries. For example:
- Packaging
- Papermaking
- Construction and demolition
- Automotive industry
- Machine maintenance
- Metal processing
- Gas refining
- HVAC work
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EN 388
These standards offer multiple tests to ensure abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, tearing strength, and impact protection. And, of course, it measures the glove’s resistance to cuts.
Let’s look at the two cut resistance tests offered by the European EN.
Coup test
During this test, the cut-resistant glove is placed under a rotating blade.
The test measures how many strikes are needed to tear through the glove’s material. The glove is compared to a standard and ranked from 1 to 5.
However, this test is not suitable for highly cut-resistant materials. These materials can dull the test blade, rendering the test ineffective.
Thus, the TDM test (ISO 13997) is used instead.
ISO 13997 test
This test uses force and pressure to cut through the glove’s material. Therefore, the test results are measured in Newton, and the gloves are ranked from A to F where F represents the highest cut resistance.
During this test, the blade’s speed is constant, and the force applied to the knife changes.
Bottomline
EN 388 measures the glove’s resistance to mechanical and cut hazards. The standard offers two tests: the coup test and the TDM test. Both tests are used to determine the strength of cut-resistant gloves.
What is the difference between the two standards?
ANSI measures the glove’s resistance to cut by using pressure to determine its strength range. These ranges are assigned numbers from 1 to 9.
On the other hand, the EN standard either use pressure or determines the number of cuts a glove can withstand. These methods help rank the gloves according to their strength.
Thus, the coup’s ranking system ranges from 1 to 5. At the same time, TDM’s ranking method is similar to ANSI’s ranking levels.
However, each TDM level is assigned a letter from A to F instead of numbers.
Additionally, ANSI-tested gloves are subjected to forces that reach 6000 grams of pressure or above. At the same time, the ISO test subjects the cut-resistant glove to 3000 grams of pressure.
Thus, determine the level of protection you need before purchasing your gloves.
| Cut protection standards | |||
| Test | ASTM 2992-15 | Coup test | ISO 13997 |
| Standard | ANSI/ISEA 105 | EN 388 | EN 388 |
| Origin | American | European | European |
| Scale | A1 to A9 | 1 to 5 | A to F |
Are cut-resistant gloves genuinely effective?
You are probably wondering now about the effectiveness of these gloves.
After all, hand injuries represent the second cause of injuries in the workplace. Additionally, a high percentage of these injuries result from cuts or lacerations.
Therefore, the right pair of gloves is intended to ensure your safety but also provide you with comfort.
However, even the highest cut-resistant glove can’t guarantee a cut-free life. Here are some factors that play a critical role in reducing effectiveness:
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Force
It is the main factor contributing to the glove’s resistance to cuts. When you apply more force to your knife stroke, you are more likely to cause damage. Higher pressures require high-quality cut-resistant gloves.
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Frequency
The frequency of the cuts the glove is being subjected to. The more amounts, the higher the possibility of a tear.
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Blade type
The blade type used also plays an essential role in determining the glove’s strength. For instance, a rotating blade can cause more damage than a regular knife.
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Time
Time is of great essence in this matter. The longer the contact time between the blade and the glove, the higher the probability of a tear.
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Sharpness
The sharpness of the used knife or blade affects the integrity of the glove’s material. Some gloves can’t handle sharp edges. And therefore, they might be used to manufacture A1 ANSI gloves.
Other factors also increase the effectiveness of cut-resistant gloves. These factors include:
- Abrasion resistance: this represents the glove’s ability to resist friction.
- Tear resistance: this factor represents the glove’s ability to be subjected to high forces without splitting.
- Puncture resistance: this number represents the glove’s ability to withstand being poked with a tipped object.
Thus, you must adhere to safety procedures even when wearing your cut-resistant gloves.
Bottomline
Cut-resistant gloves are effective in protecting you from cuts. However, they are used to provide this protection from accidental conditions.
Therefore, you still need to be cautious when dealing with sharp objects.
Additionally, consider other factors when you are purchasing your cut-resistant gloves. For example, avoid gloves with low puncture, abrasion, and tear resistance.
How to buy cut-resistant disposable gloves?
When you purchase cut-resistant gloves, you need to think carefully about the process. In this section, we will offer you some guidance to help you make the right choice.
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Assess
We recommend that you perform a hazard assessment first. This will help you determine the most vulnerable areas that need protection.
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Choose the right material
This is a crucial step. Choosing a suitable material will determine the strength of your gloves. However, some cut-resistant gloves are made from more than one material.
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The right safety levels
As previously mentioned, there are several standards for manufacturing cut-resistant disposable gloves. Each of these standards provides a scaling system to help you make a particular choice.
Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with ANSI and EN 388 grading criteria before your purchase.
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Comfort
You always need flexibility when you are performing a task with your hand. You also need to feel comfortable if you are expected to wear your gloves for a long time.
Thus, you may consider purchasing a glove with a thin lining. This will offer you the comfort you need without reducing the glove’s flexibility.
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Sizing
If your cut-resistant gloves are too big, they are unlikely to help. Therefore, you should be sure about your glove size. Manufacturers usually provide you with a sizing chart that will help you.
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Breathability
To ensure that you always wear your glove, they need to be breathable. This will increase the glove’s comfort and guarantee your satisfaction.
Bottomline
Before you decide on the glove you’re buying; you should consider the following:
- The type of hazard you face
- The glove’s material
- What safety level do you need?
- The breathability of your glove
- Your glove sizes
Maintenance of cut-resistant gloves
You will find that cut-resistant gloves are a bit different from other glove types. They can be machine washed without worrying about their integrity.
Nevertheless, some materials may need more delicate treatment and handwashing.
Additionally, you are advised to avoid harsh chemicals and bleach when washing your gloves. Thus, we recommend that you always let your gloves air dry.
Furthermore, regular examinations of your glove before each use are a must.
However, your glove’s manufacturer will provide instructions on how to use your glove correctly.
Popular cut-resistant disposable glove brands
There are several reliable brands of cut-resistant disposable gloves available in the market. If you are seeking agility, durability, and comfort, then you might consider one of the following:
- NoCry gloves
- Youngstown gloves
- MaxiFlex gloves
- Mechanix gloves
- DEX FIT gloves
These gloves differ in the level of protection they offer. They range from A3 to A5 levels of security. Thus, they are suitable for many industries and everyday use.
However, NoCry cut-resistant gloves are the most popular gloves in the market. These gloves offer level 5 protection. They are more durable than leather, with a snug fit and a firm grip. Additionally, they are food-grade gloves.
Bottomline
| Glove | ANSI level | Pros | Cons |
| NoCry | 5 | Durable
Snug fit Lightweight |
Sticky. Thus, it can absorb food materials while cooking. |
| Youngstown | 3-4 | Durable yet flexible
Non-slip Breathable 3D structure |
Incorrect sizing |
| MaxiFlex | 4 | Great dexterity
Breathable Form-fitting |
Can’t be used in wet or oily environments |
| Mechanix | 4 | Perfect fit
Smart 3D design Excellent tactility (allow you to use touch screens) |
It is not recommended for use in cold environments |
| DEX FIT | 5 | Lightweight
Suitable for several industries Non-slip comfortable |
Incorrect sizing |
Bottomline
Cut-resistant gloves are a requirement when you are handling sharp knives and blades. Therefore, they are manufactured using solid materials to ensure their durability.
Additionally, you will find that this variety offers you a more comprehensive range of protection and uses. For instance, metal mesh gloves are cut-resistant and puncture resistant. Thus, they provide more safety.
On the other hand, Kevlar gloves are flame resistant and can protect you from both mechanical and fire hazards.
Furthermore, every cut-resistant glove is tested to guarantee its strength. Tested gloves are ranked according to the level of force or the number of cuts they can withstand.
Thus, to purchase suitable cut-resistant gloves, you should consider the level of protection you are looking for.
Throughout this article, we have given you all the information you need to choose wisely. Now it’s time to invest in a pair of superior cut-resistant gloves!
