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Workplace safety is paramount, and equipping your team with the proper PPE is pivotal when preventing common hand injuries such as punctures. These hazards can range from thick wood splinters to fine single-wire strands. 

According to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), 7% of acute hand injuries are attributed to punctures. Additionally, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that punctures incur an average cost of $47,703 per year per incident. Read on to learn more about puncture-resistant work gloves and ensure the safety of your workforce on the job.

What are Puncture Resistant Work Gloves?

Puncture-resistant work gloves are personalized protective equipment (PPE) designed to safeguard against puncture hazards in diverse workplaces. These gloves are constructed with materials that resist penetration from sharp objects, such as nails, shards of glass, metal, and other pointed items.

These gloves are commonly used in construction, manufacturing, automotive, metalworking, and more. It’s important to note that puncture-resistant gloves are distinct from cut-resistant gloves, which are designed to protect against sharp edges and blades rather than puncture threats.

Understanding Puncture Wounds:

A puncture wound is an injury caused by sharp, pointed objects that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues. Unlike cuts or scrapes, puncture wounds are characterized by their deeper and narrower nature. Many cuts and lacerations originate from punctures, underscoring the need to select the correct glove based on the hazards the job presents.

Navigating Industry Standards: Puncture and Needlestick Protection

Manufacturers typically focus on two primary puncture hazards: blunt punctures and needlestick punctures. Both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the European Standard (EN 388) utilize a similar testing methodology to assess puncture resistance, specifically concerning blunt punctures.

The testing method targets potential puncture threats from larger objects such as nails and staples by using a standardized 4.5mm diameter steel probe featuring a rounded point, moving at a 100mm/min fixed speed. The testing machine records the maximum force exerted on the probe to penetrate the material fully. This test is repeated 12 times on the material to obtain an average measurement. Results are expressed in Newtons and converted into a 1-4 scale for EN388 and a 1-5 scale for ANSI/ISEA 105.

The following chart outlines these puncture resistance levels:

It’s crucial to note that not all puncture threats come in the same shapes or sizes.  A common misconception in the workplace is assuming that a glove with a high puncture level is also rated for needle resistance. To address this, the ASTMF2878-10 standard introduced by ANSI specifically tests for needlestick punctures.

This testing method employs a 25-gauge steel needle moving at a 500 mm/min speed. The testing machine records the maximum force required to penetrate the material, with results given in Newtons and then converted into a 0-5 scale, as illustrated in the chart below:

Exploring the Different Puncture-Resistant Glove Materials

Not all puncture-resistant gloves are created equal. These gloves can come in various materials depending on your specific needs. Here are some of these materials and their respective benefits and disadvantages.

1. Leather
   • Leather is a commonly used material in glove manufacturing and is known for its effectiveness in blunt puncture resistance. However, it provides limited defense against needlestick punctures.
2. Nitrile
   • Disposable nitrile gloves, widely used in medical, dental, and food preparation settings, offer excellent resistance to punctures and abrasions. They are particularly effective for one-time use hand protection.
3. Metal Mesh
   • Gloves made from metal mesh are effective against both needlestick and blunt punctures. However, they face challenges such as degradation over time, resulting in decreased protection. Additionally, they may not be the most comfortable to wear.
4. Woven Kevlar®
   • A popular choice in various industries, woven Kevlar® stands out for its excellent puncture and cut resistance. Different weave patterns provide varying levels of protection.
5. Epoxy Plates
   • Epoxy plates offer high cut and puncture protection levels, creating a multi-layered defense against needlestick and blunt punctures.

Choosing the Right Puncture-Resistant Glove:

Many options are available for puncture-resistant materials. However, it’s important to note that no single material or glove can guarantee protection against all puncture-related hazards. Selecting the right puncture-resistant glove involves considering the task at hand and the potential hazards of the job.

The charts above serve as a general guide to help you make this determination. For personalized guidance and support, reach out to a Liberty Safety representative to get connected to one of our product experts and help ensure workforce safety.

March Product Promo:

Gear up for a safe March with our monthly product promo showcasing items designed to protect your workforce from puncture-related hazards. Explore the features that set these gloves apart. 

➡ View the full promo here

Your Safety is our priority. It’s all part of our Freedom in Full Gear Promise!

Cuts and lacerations are common workplace injuries. According to data from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, approximately 30% of all workplace injuries fall under this category, with a staggering 70% of these incidents affecting the hands or fingers. One crucial step in addressing these hazards is selecting gloves that meet or exceed the appropriate cut level for a specific work task. Read on to learn more about cut-resistant work gloves and ensure the safety of your workforce on the job.

What Are Cut-Resistant Gloves?

Cut-resistant gloves play a crucial role as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers across diverse industries such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, or other environments where cut protection is paramount. These gloves are designed to protect workers from common workplace hazards including cuts, lacerations, abrasions, and other injuries that can hinder job performance.

Cut-resistant gloves are textile products specially engineered to protect against direct contact with sharp surfaces. Manufacturers design them with the capacity to withstand cutting and slashing, minimizing the wearer’s risk of accidents and severe injury.

The Significance of Cut-Resistant Gloves

Beyond the immediate physical protection they offer, cut-resistant gloves play a vital role in maintaining the overall health of your workforce. Cuts pose a significant risk of exposing the injured employee to blood-borne pathogens, infections, or diseases. Apart from the initial laceration and potential exposure to further issues, the injured employee may endure ongoing health complications, resulting in costly consequences.

According to the National Safety Council, a hand injury can cost anywhere from $540 to $26,000 and injuries to the hand are the second most common type of workplace injury. This makes a big impact on workers’ compensation claims, emphasizing the importance cut-resistant gloves have on mitigating long-term health and financial risks.

Exploring the Different Cut-Resistant Glove Materials

Not all cut-resistant gloves are created equal. These gloves can come in various materials depending on your specific needs. Here are some of these materials along with their respective benefits and disadvantages.

• Aramid or DuPont^TM Kevlar®

Kevlar® is the trademarked brand name for the aramid fiber made by DuPont^TM, its name is synonymous with the term aramid. Kevlar is one of the strongest man-made fibers available with excellent cut protection and heat insulation. It is designed to protect hands from the sharp edges of metals, ceramics, glass, and other materials. Pound for pound it is five times stronger than stainless steel.

• High Performance Polyethylene (HPPE)

HPPE fibers are specially designed to protect against cuts and abrasions when handling sharp and abrasive objects. These fibers can be engineered in a variety of composite-knit yarns, some featuring high-strength composite fiber blends for higher cut resistance and dexterity. 

• All-Metal Chainmail

While less common, metal can be used as the sole material in manufacturing cut-resistant gloves. Referred to as chainmail gloves, these gloves are made of metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. These gloves provide a high level of cut resistance, but significantly limit the user’s range of motion.

• Basalt

Basalt fiber, extracted from crushed basalt rock, offers fine continuous filaments with superior strength characteristics. It is naturally fire-resistant and provides high cut resistance, tensile strength, and good abrasion resistance.

• Glass Fiber

Glass fiber is a well-known yarn for cut-resistant gloves, offering a smooth and silky surface for enhanced comfort. It can be used as the sole component for cut resistance or to reinforce other fibers, providing high tensile strength, cut resistance, fire resistance, water resistance, and non-conductivity.

Understanding Cut Levels

Cut-resistant gloves vary in their resistance and strength. The higher the cut level, the more heavy-duty and cut-resistant the glove is. The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 standard, established by the American National Standard Institute, utilizes a nine-level scale, which provides a quick guide for identifying the appropriate cut-resistant gloves required for the specific hazard faced.

This standard assesses cut resistance on a scale from 0 to 6,000 grams, based on tests by a Tomodynamometer (TDM Method), which moves a blade across the material being tested. The weight required to cut the material determines the level of cut resistance. A higher rating on the scale translates to better protection and cut performance.

The chart below illustrates all nine cut levels, ranging from A2 to A9.

Choosing the Right Cut-Resistant Glove

When determining the right cut-resistant glove for you, it’s essential to consider the task at hand and the potential hazards that the task presents. The chart above serves as a general guide to help you in making this determination. For personalized guidance and support, reach out to a Liberty Safety representative to get connected to one of our product experts.

January Product Promo

Start the New Year with savings! Explore our January Product Promo, featuring highlighted items from our cut-resistant gloves line. Dive into the unique features that set these gloves apart.

➡️ View the full promo here

➡️ Request A Personalized Quote

Your safety is our priority. It’s all part of our Freedom in Full Gear promise!