A Guide to Glove Cut Level Protection

A worker’s hands are their most essential tools. In countless industries, from manufacturing and construction to food processing and metal fabrication, hands are constantly exposed to sharp objects, rough materials, and dangerous equipment. Hand injuries, particularly cuts and lacerations, are among the most common and preventable workplace incidents. The key to prevention lies in selecting the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specifically, the correct cut-resistant gloves.

However, not all safety gloves are created equal. Choosing the right pair involves more than just picking something that looks tough. It requires understanding the specific hazards of a task and matching them to a glove's certified level of protection. This is where glove cut level ratings become critical. These standardized ratings provide a clear, data-driven way to select gloves that offer appropriate protection, reduce injuries, and ensure safety compliance.

This guide will demystify glove cut level protection, explain the standards behind the ratings, and help you choose the right gloves to keep your team safe.

Why Glove Cut Level Ratings Matter

Imagine using a thin, fabric glove to handle freshly cut sheet metal or a bulky leather glove for a task requiring fine dexterity. In both cases, the glove is wrong for the job, creating a significant safety risk. Cut level ratings remove the guesswork from this crucial decision.

These ratings are determined by standardized tests that measure how much force is required for a blade to cut through the glove’s material. This provides an objective metric for a glove’s performance. Relying on these ratings helps in several ways:

• Reduces Injuries: Selecting a glove with the appropriate cut level for a specific task dramatically reduces the risk of lacerations.

• Ensures Compliance: OSHA requires employers to provide PPE that protects employees from workplace hazards. Using gloves with certified cut levels demonstrates due diligence in protecting workers.

• Improves Worker Confidence: When workers know their gloves are rated for the hazards they face, they can perform their tasks more confidently and efficiently.

• Cost-Effective: While higher-level cut-resistant gloves may have a higher initial cost, they prevent expensive medical bills, lost work time, and potential fines, making them a wise investment.

Understanding the ANSI/ISEA 105 Standard

In North America, the most widely recognized standard for hand protection is the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard. This system was updated in 2016 to provide a more detailed and accurate scale for cut resistance, moving from a 1-5 scale to the current A1-A9 scale.

The test involves a machine that applies a specific load (measured in grams) to a straight-edge blade and moves it across the glove material. The rating is assigned based on the weight required to cut through the material over a distance of 20 millimeters.

This creates nine distinct levels of protection, making it easier to match a glove to a specific hazard.

The A1-A9 Glove Cut Level Scale Explained

Here is a breakdown of the ANSI cut levels and the types of tasks they are generally suited for:

Low Cut Hazards

• Level A1 (200-499 grams): Offers light protection against nuisance cuts.

  • Common Tasks: General material handling, small parts assembly, warehouse work where sharp objects are infrequent.

• Level A2 (500-999 grams): Provides protection against light cut hazards.

  • Common Tasks: Construction, automotive assembly, packaging, and tasks with some exposure to sharp edges.

Medium Cut Hazards

• Level A3 (1000-1499 grams): Suitable for moderate cut hazards.

  • Common Tasks: Light-duty glass handling, general metal stamping, and tasks involving more consistent exposure to sharp materials.

• Level A4 (1500-2199 grams): A common level for a wide range of industrial applications.

  • Common Tasks: Appliance manufacturing, bottling and canning, drywalling, electrical work, and general-purpose material handling.

• Level A5 (2200-2999 grams): Offers high-level protection for more serious cut risks.

  • Common Tasks: Handling sharp-edged metal, food preparation and processing, and jobs with significant blade exposure.

High Cut Hazards

• Level A6 (3000-3999 grams): Provides advanced protection for heavy-duty applications.

  • Common Tasks: Heavy metal stamping, glass handling, meat processing, and jobs with sharp, moving blades.

• Level A7 (4000-4999 grams): Designed for very high cut hazards where force and sharp edges are common.

  • Common Tasks: Handling sheet metal, recycling operations, and jobs involving heavy, sharp materials.

Extreme Cut Hazards

• Level A8 (5000-5999 grams): Offers extreme protection for the most dangerous tasks.

  • Common Tasks: Heavy-duty fabrication, blade handling, and environments with extreme cut risks.

• Level A9 (6000+ grams): The highest level of cut protection available.

  • Common Tasks: Abattoirs, pulp and paper production (handling slitter blades), and other high-risk scenarios involving very sharp and heavy materials.

How to Choose the Right Cut-Resistant Gloves

Selecting the appropriate glove involves more than just looking at the cut level. A proper hazard assessment is the first and most important step. Consider the following factors:

1. Identify the Specific Hazards

What materials are being handled? Are they smooth-edged, serrated, or razor-sharp? What is the force involved? A light touch against a sharp edge is different from handling a heavy piece of sheet metal. This analysis will point you to the right ANSI cut level.

2. Consider Other Protection Needs

Cut resistance is only one piece of the puzzle. Does the job also involve exposure to:

• Punctures? Look for gloves with high puncture resistance, often found in leather or tightly woven synthetic materials.

• Chemicals? You may need a glove with a specific coating like nitrile or PVC to protect against solvents or acids.

• Heat or Cold? Specialized thermal-resistant gloves may be required.

• Impacts? Gloves with added thermoplastic rubber (TPR) on the back protect against crushing and impact injuries.

3. Don't Forget Dexterity and Grip

A glove is useless if a worker can't perform their task while wearing it. Over-protecting can be just as dangerous as under-protecting if it causes a worker to lose their grip or remove the gloves. Choose a glove that offers the necessary protection without unnecessarily sacrificing dexterity. Modern materials like HPPE (High-Performance Polyethylene) and engineered fibers offer high cut resistance in surprisingly lightweight and flexible gloves.

4. Ensure Proper Fit

A poorly fitting glove can create folds and snags, or it can slip off at a critical moment. Gloves should fit snugly but comfortably, allowing for natural hand movement. Provide a range of sizes to accommodate all workers.

Your Partner in Hand Safety

Choosing the right cut-resistant gloves is a foundational step in building a robust workplace safety program. By understanding the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard and conducting thorough hazard assessments, you can arm your team with the protection they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. It is an investment that protects your most valuable asset—your people.

At Must Be Safety, we believe that a safe workplace is built on knowledge and preparedness. We provide expert safety consulting and training to help you navigate OSHA requirements, assess workplace hazards, and develop comprehensive PPE programs. Let us be your trusted partner in creating a culture of safety that protects every worker, from head to toe.