Misconceptions about Cut-Resistant Gloves
There are many misconceptions about cut-resistant gloves and how they work – and not all cut resistant gloves provide the same level of protection.
#1: Cut-resistant equals cut proof
Cut-proof gloves are the unicorns of the workplace safety world — no, they are not magical and great – I mean completely fictitious.
There is no such thing as a glove that is impenetrable to cuts and there can be no guarantee that injuries will not occur. While cut-proof gloves do not exist, cut-resistant gloves are available with different levels of protection, depending on the risks/tools involved.
Cut-resistant does mean that cuts are still possible. However, using the correct cut-resistant gloves along with appropriate workplace safety practices is the best way to protect yourself when working with sharp tools. Wearing the right gloves means a cut that would normally require stitches might only need a band-aid.
Cut-resistant gloves are commonly made from High-Performance Polyethlene (HPPE), Kevlar and Dyneema, which offers more protection than steel and is also resistant to moisture, UV rays and chemicals.
#2: Methods of testing cut resistance
Common field tests may include subjecting a glove to a pair of scissors, a table saw, or a machete and being disappointed with the glove’s performance.
Cut-resistant gloves are not intended to withstand the force of a pair of scissors (or those other test tools). They are tested and rated according to the EN388:2016 cut ratings.
The EN388:2016 test technique is based on the science of measuring how much force the glove material can take from a sharp blade before being penetrated. Using a TDM-100 machine to measure the pressure, and a new blade each time ensures consistent and reliable testing.
This style of testing is used to determine the gloves resistance to four hazards: abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tear resistance and puncture resistance. Cut-resistance is measured on a scale from A-F, with F being the highest (most cut-resistant).
#5: The best glove is the one with the highest rating
While increased cut resistance results in more cut protection, the optimum glove is one that guards against the threats your team faces without impeding their job.
The value of features such as increased dexterity, grip, oil and water resistance, and launderability varies according to the work environment. If a worker’s glove lacks a necessary feature, they will be unable to perform their job properly. If they are unable to perform their duties properly, they will not wear the gloves and the risk of hand injuries increases dramatically!
An American Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that 70% of workers who sustained hand injuries were not wearing gloves, while 30% were wearing the incorrect type of glove. Wearing the correct glove for your job is just as important as wearing gloves full-stop. If your particular job requires minimum protection, then a highly cut-resistant glove is might be overkill.
#3: Leather is impossible to cut
The primary reason we want cut-resistant gloves is because our skin provides little protection. While leather gloves can be somewhat resistant to abrasion and heat, it is still skin, and can be cut just as readily as our own. However, some leather gloves with a specifically developed Kevlar liner that meets EN388:2016 level F cut protection standards can be considered cut-resistant.
#4: Only the palm is cut resistant
Cut-resistant gloves, as a general rule, should provide 360 degrees of protection.
If your glove is constructed from HPPE, Kevlar® or Dyneema®, like our UltraCut range below, you should feel as secure about the back of your hand as you do about your fingers, palm, or wrist.
However, this myth is partly true, as there are some gloves that only have a cut-resistant palm.