ANSI Cut Levels for Gloves
In 2020, 21% of injuries requiring days away form work were injuries to the hands/arms (Global Glove). Hand injuries consistently make up a large portion of workplace injuries across industries, and selecting the correct glove(s) from the large variety of options for your crew can sometimes be an overwhelming task. On our webpage alone, the hand protection section includes over 500 products with almost 50% of those being cut resistant gloves or sleeves. That is a lot of options!
Many of our clients come to us already aware what their minimum cut resistance level is for their workplace or job site, but what do the ratings actually mean? Why is that the appropriate choice? Should they stick to the minimum requirement or go for a higher rating?
To answer these questions we need to know where these ratings come from. Global Glove gives us a rundown of the ANSI ASTM F2992-15 Standard which details 9 levels of cut protection (A1-A9) and the format of the testing used. Essentially, the levels tell us how resistant a glove would be to cuts based on pressure applied, and therefore how much protection it would offer. No glove can provide 100% protection in all situations, but the higher the level, the higher cut risk it can protect against.
So how do you select the appropriate cut level? First, you need to know your risk level. For low risk industries such as warehousing, general carpentry, and general industry, the lower A1-A2 levels are sufficient. As you get into higher risk industries like automotive manufacturing, glass handling, and sheet metal handling, you need to start looking at the A4-A5 level. As risks grow (HVAC, Plumbing, etc.), we begin to get into the A6+ levels. However, this is simply a starting point for making your decision. Construction and manufacturing situations are diverse and unique and bring a very broad range of potential risks.
Many of our clients who operate as subcontractors also have to consider what the requirements are for every job site they are on, as each contractor will have different requirements based on their safety program. In this case some choose to go with the highest cut level required on any of their sites and have their crews in that level glove at all times. Others choose to allow their people to wear different gloves for different sites based on the specific requirement. In general, the higher the cut level the lower the dexterity and comfort, which we know makes a big difference in ensuring workers wear their PPE. We have seen big strides in this area in recent months, but it tracks that an A9 glove capable of protecting against bigger cut risks is going to be a little stiffer than an A3 level glove, and therefore a little less comfortable.
Ultimately, deciding what cut level is best for your crews requires thoughtful consideration of many components. But as you tease through your options, there is always a resource available to you. Below you will find some great documents linked for your review, but the professionals at Safety & Packaging Sales are always here to help as well. Have questions about cut glove choices? We are happy to help. Reach out to us a sales@safetypackonline.com or 919-602-2503.
All workplaces are different. This blog shares the broad strokes for cut glove selection, but each situation requires its own review. All suggestions are just that, and should not be applied to your situation without your own risk assessment.
Resources:
Safety & Packaging Cut Glove Guide
Global Glove Cut Glove Resources