A Cut Rated or Cut Resistant Glove is a Glove that meets at least one of two rating standards. The EN388 Standard or the ANSI Standard. The EN388 Standard is a European Standard used throughout the world. The ANSI Standard is the Standard used only in America. Both Standards are measured differently and are used to determine the resistance of a material, such as a glove. Cut Resistant Gloves are Gloves that are resistant to cuts, punctures, abrasion and tears. The Cut Rating of a glove determines how resistant to cuts the gloves are. The higher the number the stronger the gloves resistance to that particular hazard. The EN388 Mechanical Standards, tests four different hazards. Abrasion Resistance, Cut Resistance, Tear Resistance and Puncture Resistance. Abrasion Resistance is defined as how many cycles the glove material can handle of a course/rough surface until the glove fails. Cut Resistance is defined as how many cut/slicing cycles the glove can handle until the glove fails. Tear Resistance is defined as how much force the glove can withstand before it is compromised and torn or ripped. Puncture Resistance is defined as how much force the glove can withstand before the glove is pierced by a standard single point.

Cut resistance in industrial work gloves are measured on a scale of either A1-thru-A9 based on the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard or 0-to-5 or A-thru-F based on the EN388:2016 standard. It is important to understand the protection levels associated with each standard as well as the most appropriate levels for specific applications.

The cut resistance standard from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) became effective in North America in March 2016. The updated ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard, based on the ASTM F2992-15 testing method, measures cut resistance for Industrial work gloves on a 9-level scale of A1-to-A9. Updated from the ANSI/ISEA 105-2011 standard using a 5-level scale, the current standard allows for more accurate identification of protection in PPE. ANSI Cut Rating Chart for hand protection The level indicates the capability of the glove to withstand the weight (in grams) until cut-through is achieved. Cut resistance levels of A3 and below have good cut protection and are typically used in applications where cut risk is lower such as hardware assembly, warehouse work and general handling. Cut resistance levels of A4 and above however, are mostly used in applications where the risk of cuts and lacerations is much higher such as handling glass sheets, metal press work or heavy assembly. Glove ANSI A9: Avant-Steel Component: HPPE/ Polyester/ Steel Cut Level: ANSI A9, ISO-F Avant-Steel have a cut resistance of 7553 under independent official laboratory tests undertaken by CTC exceeding the maximum level of standardised testing by over 20%. Though it seems that in the ANSI standard different level of cut resistance are recommended for the same type of activity, your hazard assessment should take into consideration the amount of pressure your worker’s hand will have to withstand in order to determine the right level of cut resistance. Once you determine this, you need to think of the working conditions and other qualities you are looking for in a glove to choose among gloves providing the same degree of protection.

Of the more than 1,000,000 hand injuries reported yearly by OSHA, a staggering 69% are due to lacerations and puncture injuries. In 30% of all cases, the injured worker either did not wear safety gloves or used a glove that did not offer enough protection from the hazards present in their working environment. Keeping hands safe means using a glove with the right material and the right level of cut resistance. Types of Material When trying to decide which cut-resistant gloves to buy, you will face a number of different materials. But in reality, 98% of the gloves in the market are made of one of three materials: Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Yarn (e.g. Spectra, Dyneema, TenActiv) Para-Aramid Yarn (e.g. Kevlar, XKS, Aramex, Rhino, Metalguard, Armcore) Steel Mesh (only a small percentage of gloves are made from this material) Neither of the most common materials are inherently better than the other. Your choice will be based on the application and the working environment. UHWMPE disperses heat, is water resistant, and is lighter and 40% stronger than para-aramids. Para-aramids are heavier, weaker, absorb water (3.5% of their weight) but they do insulate better. Although para-aramid is weaker than UHWMPE, it doesn't necessarily offer lower cut resistance. Different treatments and coatings are applied to the gloves that can alter their cut resistance.

Cut Resistance vs. Puncture Resistance It's important to know the difference between cut resistance and puncture resistance. Cut-resistant gloves are able to withstand a longitudinal cut, but some will not be able to resist downward piercing pressure. Some gloves offer both cut and puncture resistance, but never assume that a glove will offer both unless the manufacturer specifies it.

Yes, you can. In fact, at Avant-Guard we recommend proper care and cleanliness of cut-resistant gloves and sleeves to extend wear life and minimize the spread of viruses and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Due to the variety of coatings and fabrics, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning cut-resistant PPE. Follow the steps below for proper care of hand and arm PPE. Use commercial laundry soap or detergent (do not use dry cleaning solutions) Wash for 10 minutes in warm water, do not exceed 60°C or 104°F Rinse in tempered water 40°C or 104°F If soiling is especially heavy, repeat the wash and rinse cycles Tumble dry – maximum temperature 40°C or 104°F

Expected life cycle is 3 - 6 months when used as intended. Always inspect gloves before each use and during cleaning. FOOD SAFETY: Excessive soil / stains prevent effective sanitation; discard and replace when washing is no longer effective. What is the grip like? At Avant-Guard we have designed all of our cut-resistant gloves so they fit snug on the hands, so you won’t feel any less nimble or dexterous while using them. As a rule of thumb the lower the cut resistance the more dexterous and nimble use of the glove will feel and inversely the higher the level of cut resistance the firmer and more secure it will feel. It is important to choose the correct balance of protection and dexterity for the task at hand which is why at Avant-Guard we have created a wide variety of gloves for all purposes. Please check out our product page or more details.

No matter how much technology evolves, the one constant is the use of our hands in all professions. However, some careers are more dangerous than others and may require employees to wear cut-resistant work gloves to avoid harming themselves. Here are six jobs that require cut-resistant gloves. Chef Working in the food industry is something many people are somewhat familiar with. Whether they’re working in fast food or Michelin-star restaurants, chefs and food preppers often use cut-resistant gloves when working with knives. Gloves aren’t always strictly necessary. However, restaurant employers will often enforce their usage to prevent accidents that can injure employees and contaminate food. Auto Mechanic Mechanics have various power and hand tools that they use daily. Some of these are heavy and unwieldy. Additionally, grease, oil, and more make conditions slick and difficult. So, as a safety precaution, mechanics use cut-resistant gloves to prevent injuries should they slip while operating machinery. Furthermore, the force and pressure needed to remove nuts, bolts, and other pieces of vehicles can lead to crushed hands if they don’t protect them. Lumbermill Worker Of the six jobs that require cut-resistant gloves, none involve as many saws as lumbermill work. Not only are cutting saws extremely dangerous, but the lumber itself can be a source of cuts and splinters. It’s much easier to avoid problems with protective gloves. Carpenter Similarly, carpenters work with wood and power tools daily. While carpenters’ tools may not always be as intense as lumbermill workers’ equipment, carpenters still have many tools that feature sharp edges. These can pose a threat to personal safety. Work gloves grant carpenters peace of mind as they perfect their craft. They also banish any fears they may have of using their tools. Farmer Whether caring for livestock or produce, farmers use tools unique to them to do their jobs. They must cut fruits and vegetables off the vine or stalk, move hay bales with pitchforks, and operate machinery with sharp, utilitarian edges. The heads of large farming operations enforce the usage of work gloves, as they have a great number of employees for whom they’re responsible. Police Officer Even the police can make use of work gloves that protect their hands from abrasions and cuts. When confronting criminals wielding knives or handling volatile situations like riots, gloves become critical parts of an officer’s protective gear. They allow them to deal with threats while minimizing risks to themselves when protecting the peace

Yes, all our gloves can be used in water. However, at Avant-Guard we understand that different jobs require different levels of water resistance. Which is why we have created separate lines of cut resistant gloves which are also water resistant or waterproof gloves. Please refer to our product page for more information of which glove is right for you. If you require any further assistance please contact us via email at info@avant-guard.com.au or alternatively through the chat option within this website.