What Are Cut-Resistant Gloves?

Our hands are one of the most vulnerable parts of our bodies. Working in industries where injuries, cuts, and abrasions to our hands can occur makes it crucial that we have the right protection to keep ourselves safe. Cut-resistant gloves are designed and tested to ensure our hands are safe around all materials, tools, and machinery while working. Cut-resistant gloves are made using strong and durable materials that can withstand abrasions, tears, punctures, and impact. The strength and durability needed for different areas of work are categorised by levels after the material used for the glove has gone through various tests. 

Areas of Testing (EN 388:2003/EN 388:2016)

The European standard DIN EN 388 lays out the requirements, methods of testing, and the labelling of gloves against risks when being used to carry out work.

Abrasion resistance:

To test a glove's resistance to abrasion the material is rubbed against sandpaper under a controlled pressure. The rating given to the glove is determined by how many cycles of testing can be carried out before a hole has been abraded in the material. (Highest performance level 4 = 8000 cycles)

Blade cut resistance:

To test a glove's resistance to blade cuts a rotating circular blade cuts through the material at a constant speed. A reference material is used for comparison in order to determine the rating of the glove. (Highest performance level 5 = index 20)

Tear Resistance:

To test a glove's resistance to tearing a slit is made in the material and force is applied until the material tears. The rating given to the glove is determined by how much force is needed to tear the material. (Highest performance level 4 = 75 Newtons)

Puncture Resistance:

To test a glove's resistance to puncture the material is punctured with a nail of established dimension. The rating given to the glove is determined by the force needed for the nail to puncture the material. (Highest performance level 4 = 150 Newtons)

Continuous development of materials used in cut-resistant gloves has made the adjustment of testing and classification of these products necessary. These adjustments have been implemented in the standard DIN EN 388:2016. The adjusted standard has changed the testing of cut resistance. In DIN EN 388:2003 a rotating circular blade test was used to assess cut-resistance, but high cut-resistant materials were causing blade dulling and therefore impeding test results. Now the testing includes a straight-blade test that measures the actual force required to cut the material. An optional impact protection test was also introduced as well as updated labelling to include both letters and numbers to make glove performance ratings clearer. 

Different Cut Levels

Levels of protection are categorised as follows:

Level 1/Level A: light protection with high dexterity, suitable for low-risk tasks where minor scuffs or scratches occur, such as warehouse work, packing, and DIY jobs.

Level 2/Level B: moderate protection, flexible, suitable for occasional contact with small blades, such as warehouse work, cargo handling, supermarkets, and shipping.

Levels 3-5/Level C: high cut protection, reduced dexterity, suitable for frequent contact with sharp edges, such as construction, plumbing, mechanics, and machining work. 

Level D/E: high cut protection, good control for handling sharp metal, glass, and blades, designed for construction work and demolition.

Level F: maximum cut protection, suitable for constant exposure to very sharp objects like knives, sheet metal and glass, such as fabrication, butchery, and glass handling work. 

Understanding these levels and the testing standards helps you choose the right glove for your work environment, keeping your hands safe without compromising performance. 

This article is not exhaustive, but we hope it has given you a better understanding of what cut-resistant gloves are, how they are tested, and when and where each level should be used. For more information, please feel free to get in touch with our team of PPE experts. You can call us on 0402 32116 (Arklow) or 021 484 1370 (Cork).