Cut and Puncture Resistant Gloves protect against cuts, scratches, punctures and sharp objects. Two main goals of workplace hand protection are ensuring that the cut resistance of work gloves matches the level of the cut hazards present, and then, even more importantly, assuring that workers do in fact wear the gloves on the job. This is where protection and comfort come together.
Diagram of a Cut Resistant Glove
Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the more than 1 million workers that head to the emergency room each year with hand injuries, more than 70 percent weren’t wearing gloves, and 30 percent were wearing damaged, inadequate or the wrong type of glove.
Color-coded Gloves:
Some manufacturers use a color band at the bottom of the glove to indicate size. Each manufacturer has its own color-code system.
Cut Resistance Levels are the level of protection a glove has against cuts. Levels are measured by the grams of force required for failure to occur when applied by a standard cutting blade traveling 25mm. Higher levels provide more protection.
ANSI has released a new edition of the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard with new classification levels, including a new scale to determine cut score and a revised method for testing gloves to the standard.
Please consult your safety professional to determine the right glove for your application. Always ensure your selected glove complies with the mandated safety standard recommended for your application.
TDM-100 Cut Level Test:
All manufacturers use the same standard for cut-resistance levels set by ASTM International with Tomodynamometer Machine (TDM-100).
- A glove sample is placed on a conductive material and put in the TDM-100.
- An ASTM validated cutting blade is attached to the TDM-100.
- A load weight is added to a platen to serve as force.
- The blade moves across the material until the point in which the blade cuts through the material and touches the conductive material. It is measured in millimeters.
- The blade is then replaced, and the method repeated five times at three different load weights, which will produce cut-through distances ranging from 5-20, 20-33, 33-50.8 millimeters. Results are recorded and added into the program to calculate the cut through at a reference distance of 20 millimeters.
- The final results determine the grams to cut and a cut level from A1 through A9.
A1 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 200-499 grams. These gloves protect from light to medium cut hazards and are ideal for assembly maintenance, material handling and shipping and receiving materials.
A2 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 500-999 grams. These gloves protect from light to medium cut hazards and are ideal for construction, material handling, small parts assembly with sharp edges and general-purpose applications.
A3 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 1000-1499 grams. These gloves protect from light to medium cut hazards and are ideal for construction, material handling, small parts assembly with sharp edges and general-purpose applications.
A4 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 1500-2199 grams. These gloves protect from medium cut hazards and are ideal for applications including aerospace, metal fabrication and handling, HVAC, electrical, packaging, warehouse, food preparation and processing.
A5 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 2200-2999 grams. These gloves protect from medium to heavy cut hazards and are ideal for applications including appliance manufacturing, bottle and light glass handling, canning, dry walling, electrical, carpet installation, HVAC, pulp and paper, automotive assembly, metal fabrication, metal handling, packaging, warehouse, aerospace industry and food processing.
A6 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 3000-3999 grams. Ideal for jobs with high cut hazards. These gloves can be used for applications including manufacturing, automotive, construction, glass handling, machining, metal handling, metal stamping and paper production.
A7 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 4000-4999 grams. These gloves protect from high cut hazards and are ideal for applications including metal fabrication, stamping, processing and recycling, glass and window, manufacturing, HVAC, food preparation and processing, and aerospace.
A8 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 5000-5999 grams. These gloves protect from high cut hazards and are ideal for applications including metal fabrication, stamping, processing and recycling, glass and window, manufacturing, HVAC, food preparation and processing, and aerospace.
A9 cut resistance offers protection from cuts of 6000 plus grams. These gloves protect from high cut hazards and are ideal for applications including metal fabrication, stamping, processing and recycling, glass and window, manufacturing, HVAC, food preparation and processing, and aerospace.
A glove's basic cut resistance depends on the material(s) from which it is made and the material thickness or weight per square inch. Heavier thickness and advanced materials improve cut protection, while lighter-weight gloves can offer more flexibility and be less tiring to wear, resulting in less hand fatigue. Additional features such as coatings can improve grip, but may not be appropriate for applications such as food processing.
Canvas is a breathable and flexible material that offers protection in general-purpose applications. It can be used as a liner for coated gloves.
Cotton and cotton blends are durable and abrasion resistant. They absorb moisture and can protect the hands from irritation and cold temperatures.
Dyneema® is a lightweight and extremely strong polyethylene fiber. It is stronger than steel and para-aramids and resistant to chemicals, moisture and UV rays.
Para-Aramids are a lightweight, synthetic fiber that is cut, puncture and heat resistant. It is five times stronger than steel and is commonly used in manufacturing. There are alternative para-aramid materials available that offer similar levels of protection.
Leather or Synthetic Leathers: Leather is composed of a breathable and durable organic material. It provides a good grip in both wet and dry applications. It is abrasion resistant and used for general-purpose applications. Synthetic leather is designed to have the look and feel of real leather. It is economical, flexible and provides a good grip. It is not as strong as cotton.
Metal or metal blends consist of either stand-alone metal mesh or fabrics infused with materials such as copper or steel. The material is ideal for working in clean rooms, with electronics or the food industry. Both metal and metal blends are abrasion and cut resistant.
Nylon blends are synthetic fibers that are combined with other synthetics or natural fibers to make a breathable, stronger and flexible material. They are used in wet and dry environments. They have a low moisture absorption rate, good tactile sensitivity, dexterity and abrasion resistance.
Nylon and spandex blends offer breathability and durability. The material offers protection from oilss and scratches, and can be used in several production applications.
Polyester blends are synthetic fibers mixed with other materials. They are similar to nylon blends and are durable and abrasion resistant, but also offer resistance to sunlight.
Polyethylene (HPPE) blends are ultra-fine fibers designed to be stronger than steel. They are breathable, durable and resistant to oils.
Synthetic blends can be a blend of nylon, polypropylene and polystyrene. They are stronger on surfaces compared to natural fibers and more resistant to solvents. They are used for a variety of applications.
Foam Nitrile is a flexible coating resistant to snags and abrasions. It provides a nonslip grip on slick, light oily surfaces.
Latex is durable natural rubber used against solvents for general-purpose applications.
Micro-foam nitrile is ideal for use with light oils and provides excellent abrasion resistance. The micro dots are raised for increased durability and offer cushioning in repetitive applications.
Natural rubber latex is durable and economical. It is resistant to alcohols, bases, ketones and water-based solutions. It has poor resistance to greases and oils.
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber that is resistant to chemicals, oils, solvents, greases and petroleum-based fluids. It is resistant to abrasions, cuts, punctures, slashes and snags.
Nitrile and polyurethane coatings are water-based and designed with high cut protection. They offer enhanced breathability, dexterity and comfort. Ideal for resisting cuts and burrs.
Polyurethane (PU) is a strong, durable and flexible manufactured material. It is abrasion and cut resistant.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic polymer used against acids, chemicals, greases, and oils. It is economical and abrasion resistant. It is not as puncture or cut resistant as compared to other gloves.
Rubber provides resistance to most acids, alcohols and liquids. It is highly flexible, resistant to cuts and used for general-purpose applications.
Silicone rubber is an elastomer that is durable and extremely heat resistant.
Silicone-free nitrile is a synthetic rubber that does not have silicone properties that can transfer contaminants to metal and cause adhesive failure in machinery. Ideal for resistance to chemicals, oils, solvents, greases and petroleum-based fluids. Silicone-free nitrile is resistant to abrasions, cuts, punctures, slashes and snags.
Uncoated gloves offer minimal protection. They do not have added coatings.
Other Gloves from MSC:
Arc Flash and Flame-Resistant Gloves are used for protecting against burns, electrical shocks, sparks and flames. Both gloves can protect the hands from flames; however, arc flash gloves may offer high (higher?) resistance depending on the rating.
Chemical-Resistant Gloves are used for the handling of acids, caustics, chemicals, fuels, greases, oils and solvents. Some are corrosion resistant and protect against snags, punctures, abrasions and cuts.
Disposable/Single Use Gloves are used for protection from acids, chemicals, dirt, greases and other light-duty contaminants. Gloves are available for use in industrial, medical, clean room and food handling applications.
Lineman's Gloves or Electrical Protection Gloves are made of highly dielectric, strong, insulated rubber. They are designed to protect against damage from electrical hazards. They must be worn with leather protector gloves. Leather protectors are used for protection against cuts, abrasions and punctures. They should always be worn over lineman’s or electrical rubber insulating gloves. Caution: Do not use leather protectors alone for protection against electric shock.
Work and General-Purpose Gloves are used for protection against dirt, debris, mechanical hazards, sharp objects and low-level chemicals.
Welder's and Heat Protective Gloves are used for protection against injury from flames, heat, sparks and other heat-related hazards.