Everything You Need to Know About
Cut Resistant Gloves
Over a third of workplace hand injuries involve cuts.
This may sound like bad news, but it’s actually a great opportunity, because hand injuries are the #1 preventable workplace injury.
Often hand injuries occur because workers are wearing the wrong hand protection—or worse, no hand protection. Unfortunately, the countless safety glove options on the market can make it difficult to choose the right protection. How do you know which gloves offer the level of cut resistance your workers need without inhibiting their work and comfort?
Everything You Need to Know About Cut Resistant Gloves
Over a third of workplace hand injuries involve cuts.
This may sound like bad news, but it’s actually a great opportunity, because hand injuries are the #1 preventable workplace injury.
Often hand injuries occur because workers are wearing the wrong hand protection—or worse, no hand protection. Unfortunately, the countless safety glove options on the market can make it difficult to choose the right protection. How do you know which gloves offer the level of cut resistance your workers need without inhibiting their work and comfort?
What you will learn
- Underlying forces that cause cuts
- How engineered materials prevent and reduce cut injuries
- Common cut-resistant materials, including their advantages and limitations
- Safety standards and tests used to verify the cut resistance level of gloves
- Limitations of, and misconceptions about, cut-resistant gloves
Forces at work in cut-resistant gloves
To understand cut resistance, we first need to understand the underlying forces that cause a cut.
What exactly causes a cut?
There are two main forces that cause a cut or tear.
Push (downward force)
This force is generated by a sharp object pushing down on a material – whether that is glove material or skin doesn’t matter. This downward force creates tension in the material, leading it to tear.
Pull (friction force)
This force is created by the slicing motion of a blade across a material. As the blade moves across, the friction created pulls away (cuts) the fibers of the material.
Push (downward force)
This force is generated by a sharp object pushing down on a material – whether that is glove material or skin doesn’t matter. This downward force creates tension in the material, leading it to tear.
Pull (friction force)
This force is created by the slicing motion of a blade across a material. As the blade moves across, the friction created pulls away (cuts) the fibers of the material.
How are these forces counteracted?
There are four main forces that can counter the push and pull forces that contribute to cut injuries.
To counteract downward force, we engineer materials with enhanced strength and hardness. When the strength of a material’s fiber is significant enough, it resists stretching and snapping. When a fiber’s hardness is great enough, it resists compression (squishing of the material), reducing cut risks.
To counteract friction force (the slicing motion), we engineer materials to provide lubrication and rolling action. This allows the sharp objects like blades to travel more easily across the material, reducing the friction that causes cuts.
DOWNWARD FORCE
To counteract downward force, we engineer materials with enhanced strength and hardness. When the strength of a material’s fiber is significant enough, it resists stretching and snapping. When a fiber’s hardness is great enough, it resists compression (squishing of the material), reducing cut risks.
FRICTION FORCE
To counteract friction force (the slicing motion), we engineer materials to provide lubrication and rolling action. This allows the sharp objects like blades to travel more easily across the material, reducing the friction that causes cuts.
Understanding the science behind these forces helps glove manufacturers engineer cut-resistant materials for safety gloves. Industry standards also apply these same forces to test and measure the effectiveness of cut-resistant gloves and assign them protection levels, which we’ll discuss later in this article.
Materials used in cut-resistant gloves
When looking for cut-resistant gloves, you need to consider the materials used to manufacture these gloves as well as their benefits and limitations.
Note: Leather, mechanics style, and chemical gloves can achieve cut resistance by using a lining made of one or more of these materials
HPPE VS. PARA-ARAMID
Cut-resistant gloves made of 100% HPPE or para-aramid both offer up to ANSI Cut Level A3 protection. HPPE, however, outperforms para-aramid when it comes to comfort. Gloves made with 100% HPPE are softer, more flexible, and feel cooler on the skin in comparison to para-aramid. But para-aramid has the advantage of natural flame and heat resistance, which can make it a better choice for workers who need this extra protection.
METAL CHAINMAIL GLOVES
Although less common, metal can be used as the only material in manufacturing cut-resistant gloves. These gloves are known as chainmail gloves. Chainmail gloves are made of metal rings linked together in a pattern to form mesh and are primarily used in food processing for deboning meat. The gloves offer an extremely high level of cut resistance, but they significantly limit the users’ range of motion.
COMPOSITE/ENGINEERED YARN
The key to manufacturing highly cut-resistant gloves that are comfortable is composite or engineered yarn. Engineered yarns incorporate the benefits of two or more fibers, instead of solely relying on one strong fiber. Combining materials within the yarn allows gloves to maintain comfort while increasing protection. When two cut-resistant materials such as HPPE and metal are combined, the resulting fiber can achieve up to ANSI Cut Level A9, the industry’s maximum level of cut protection. In addition, synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester and natural fibers such as cotton can be added into the yarn to enhance comfort, dexterity, and durability.
HPPE VS. PARA-ARAMID
Cut-resistant gloves made of 100% HPPE or para-aramid both offer up to ANSI Cut Level A3 protection. HPPE, however, outperforms para-aramid when it comes to comfort. Gloves made with 100% HPPE are softer, more flexible, and feel cooler on the skin in comparison to para-aramid. But para-aramid has the advantage of natural flame and heat resistance, which can make it a better choice for workers who need this extra protection.
METAL CHAINMAIL GLOVES
Although less common, metal can be used as the only material in manufacturing cut-resistant gloves. These gloves are known as chainmail gloves. Chainmail gloves are made of metal rings linked together in a pattern to form mesh and are primarily used in food processing for deboning meat. The gloves offer an extremely high level of cut resistance, but they significantly limit the users’ range of motion.
COMPOSITE /
ENGINEERED YARN
The key to manufacturing highly cut-resistant gloves that are comfortable is composite or engineered yarn. Engineered yarns incorporate the benefits of two or more fibers, instead of solely relying on one strong fiber. Combining materials within the yarn allows gloves to maintain comfort while increasing protection. When two cut-resistant materials such as HPPE and metal are combined, the resulting fiber can achieve up to ANSI Cut Level A9, the industry’s maximum level of cut protection. In addition, synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester and natural fibers such as cotton can be added into the yarn to enhance comfort, dexterity, and durability.
Gauge and palm coating
Now that you understand the basic building blocks of cut resistance, let’s discuss how glove gauge (glove thickness) and palm coating impact cut resistance.
How glove gauge impacts comfort and performance
Gauge refers to the number of stitches included in each inch of yarn. As the number of stitches increases, so does the gauge. This means the yarn is thinner, allowing for a thinner glove. When there are fewer stiches per inch of yarn, the yarn is thicker and thus the glove is thicker. Note: although gauge refers to yarn, you’ll often hear the term “glove gauge”. This carries the same meaning. It is simply a shorthand way to refer to glove thickness.
Different gauges are recommended for different tasks and hazards. No one gauge is better than the other. It depends on the work task and hazards for which they’re needed.
For instance, if comparing a 7-gauge glove to a 21-gauge glove, the 7 gauge will be less dexterous, because it’s less flexible and has a lower tactile feel. If fine motor skill is needed, this is an issue. But, if the task requires heavy lifting that includes sharp and abrasive objects, someone might prefer a thicker glove as it offers increased cushioning and durability.
Below is a quick overview of glove gauges with their attributes to give you an idea of how gauges impact a glove’s feel and performance in tasks that involve cut hazards.
Glove Gauge versus Glove Performance
How Palm Coating Influences Cut Resistance
Does palm coating increase cut resistance? The short answer is no!
A slightly longer explanation is that the changes are nominal. However, palm coatings do provide improved grip that can mean fewer slips with sharp objects, and thus potentially less opportunities for cuts. Palm coating also helps extend the life of the shell.
To learn more about glove palm coatings, their benefits, and limitations, check out our Glove 101 guide | Glove Additives and Treatments that discusses the topic in detail.
Cut resistance safety standards
Industry standards were established that refer to specific test methods to assign protection levels for safety gloves, including cut resistance. These standards were introduced to create a common language for safety managers, distributors, and manufacturers to define protection levels and be held accountable for their claims. All of these standards specify certain tests in which cut-resistant gloves are measured by the force it takes for a blade to cut through the material.
There are three industry standards governing cut protection.
North American Standard (ANSI/ISEA 105)
The ANSI/ISEA Standard established the ASTM F2992-15 standardized testing method for measuring cut resistance. The standard identifies nine cut protection levels from A1 (least cut resistant) to A9 (most cut resistant).
Manufacturers must test products in accordance with the standard’s testing procedure in order to legitimately claim a protection level. To ensure gloves have the level of protection they claim, look for protection ratings icons that resemble a shield as pictured below. You can also ask a manufacturer to provide a copy of test results to substantiate protection claims.
Testing Method:
A Tomodynamometer Machine (TDM-100) is used to conduct the cut-resistant test on gloves. Materials are tested under three varied weights with a straight-edge blade that moves across five times in the same direction at approximately the length of 20mm. After each cut, a new blade is used, and the weight (in grams) is added until a cut is achieved. The test is repeated a total of three times and the average of the three tests gives the final rating in grams, ranging from 200 grams to 6000+ grams of cut resistance. This determines a cut score between A1-A9.
EN388 European Standard
The EN388 Standard uses two different testing methods to evaluate protection ratings.
- The Coup Test
- Rates cut protection on a scale of 1-5 (least to most cut resistant)
- The TDM-100 Test (also known as ISO 13997 testing method)
- Rates cut protection on a scale of A-F (least to most cut resistant)
- Similar to the North American ANSI/ISEA testing standard
Manufactures must test products in accordance with the standard’s testing procedure in order to legitimately claim a protection level. To ensure gloves have the level of protection they claim, look for protection rating icons that resemble a shield as pictured below. You can also ask a manufacturer to provide a copy of test results to substantiate protection claims.
Testing Method:
Coup Test: In this test, test material is placed beneath a rotating circular blade that moves back and forth under a fixed weight until cut-through occurs. A cut score is recorded on a scale of 1-5. The problem with this testing method is that the blade dulls if used on high cut-resistant material, which results in inaccurate scores.
If no cut-through occurs after 60 rotations, the second test is used and required: the ISO 13997. The result is measured in Newtons.
ISO 13997: The ISO 13997 uses the TDM-100 test method which uses a straight razor blade under variable weight to measure cut resistance, similar to the ASTM F2992-15. Results are measured in Newtons, ranging from 2-30 Newtons, and are graded from A-F. Cut resistance for materials tested using this method will only have an “X” placed under the Coup Test score marking to indicate “not tested” on the EN388 Standard shield. An example of this can be seen in the image above.
UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) Standard
There are no differences in the testing methods and ranking levels between the European Union and United Kingdom standards. However, PPE sold in the UK is mandated to have an icon (as shown) to certify they conform with UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed)
Limitations and misconceptions about cut-resistant gloves
Now that you have a basic understanding of how cut-resistant gloves work, let’s review some common misconceptions about cut resistance.
Misconception 1
Cut-Resistant Gloves Are Cut-Proof
There is no such thing as cut-proof gloves. To be wearable, gloves must have properties that allow them to move, flex, be pulled on and off, etc.—properties that cannot be considered impenetrable. So, if you use scissors to cut these gloves, you can cut them! Even all-metal chainmail gloves can be cut with enough determination.
Cut-resistant gloves are, however, designed to reduce the likelihood of being cut. Although cut injuries can still occur even when wearing gloves, cut severity can be drastically reduced when not prevented.
Misconception 2
Leather Is Cut-Resistant
Due to its high durability, many think leather is cut-resistant. Leather is simply cured skin, and skin isn’t cut-resistant. Leather gloves can only offer significant cut protection when they have an added cut-resistant liner. These liners are made from the same materials discussed earlier in this article.
Misconception 3
360 cut protection is the testing standard
Testing standards for cut resistance only require the palm of the gloves to be tested. For this reason, the ANSI cut level ratings assigned to cut-resistant gloves denote resistance levels for the palms only and not the rest of the glove.
While there are no cut resistance test requirements for the rest of the glove, those that offer 360° of cut protection should be made clear by the manufacturer or have an icon similar to what we use for our cut-resistant gloves with 360° cut protection as shown.
Misconception 1
Cut-Resistant Gloves Are Cut-Proof
There is no such thing as cut-proof gloves. To be wearable, gloves must have properties that allow them to move, flex, be pulled on and off, etc.—properties that cannot be considered impenetrable. So, if you use scissors to cut these gloves, you can cut them! Even all-metal chainmail gloves can be cut with enough determination.
Cut-resistant gloves are, however, designed to reduce the likelihood of being cut. Although cut injuries can still occur even when wearing gloves, cut severity can be drastically reduced when not prevented.
Misconception 2
Leather Is Cut-Resistant
Due to its high durability, many think leather is cut-resistant. Leather is simply cured skin, and skin isn’t cut-resistant. Leather gloves can only offer significant cut protection when they have an added cut-resistant liner. These liners are made from the same materials discussed earlier in this article.
Misconception 3
360 cut protection is the testing standard
Testing standards for cut resistance only require the palm of the gloves to be tested. For this reason, the ANSI cut level ratings assigned to cut-resistant gloves denote resistance levels for the palms only and not the rest of the glove.
While there are no cut resistance test requirements for the rest of the glove, those that offer 360° of cut protection should be made clear by the manufacturer or have an icon similar to what we use for our cut-resistant gloves with 360° cut protection as shown.
