Cut-resistant gloves are more important protective equipment used in manufacturing industries, such as those involving sharp tools, etc., to protect workers from all kinds of external injuries. But cut-resistant gloves have their own limitations and disadvantages. This article will give you a better understanding of cut-resistant gloves in 3 minutes! And guide you to choose the right gloves.
What are cut-resistant gloves?
Cut-resistant gloves are protective equipment used to minimize hand injuries caused by sharp objects.
Cut-resistant gloves are generally made of high-performance materials such as high-density polyethylene, Kevlar, and Dyneema. They provide superior cut resistance. The best cut-resistant gloves are level 5 and can usually withstand 20 to 30 Newtonian forces.
In the process of use, they can effectively prevent injury from knives, blades, or corrosive materials.
Advantages of cut-resistant gloves
Cut-resistant gloves not only offer excellent protection. They also offer significant benefits in many other areas.
Excellent cut protection
Cutting injuries are mainly caused by friction and downward thrust against sharp objects. Cut-resistant gloves are made of materials with excellent toughness and strength. Both of these forces can be effectively counteracted. Common materials:
- Aramid
- Dyneema
- Kevlar
- Stainless steel mesh
They are effective in reducing damage from sharp edges, glass, metal, and blades. Typically achieves ANSI Class 4 cut protection. Withstand 1500g of cutting force.
Improve work efficiency.
Cut-resistant gloves don’t just act as cut protection. It has a much wider impact.
- Avoiding injuries affecting working hours: preventing cuts from causing production line downtime. Ensure stable work on the production line.
- Improve employee concentration: Employees no longer need to worry about the safety of their hands. They can focus on completing their tasks.
- Easy Grip: The cut-resistant gloves have excellent grip. They can easily grip tools and relieve fatigue.
- Corporate culture: Concern for employee safety is also a reflection of corporate culture. It can enhance team cohesion.
Comfortable and breathable
Focus on the user’s experience in the design of materials and structure. Commonly used materials are: Kevlar engineered yarn, dyneema and other materials. Comfortable cut-resistant gloves should have the following points:
- Cool and comfortable
- Not stuffy, effectively preventing sweaty hands.
- Good fit and dexterity for maneuvering
- Stable and sturdy with excellent cut resistance.
These materials are lightweight and have excellent breathability. Better fit to the hand. Wearing them can effectively reduce hand fatigue at work.
Compliance with laws and regulations
At present, some regions explicitly require companies to provide safety protection for their employees. Otherwise, if an employee has an accident, the company will face heavy penalties. Equip employees with cut-resistant gloves to comply with OSHA and other safety standards. Avoid more losses in terms of financial costs.
Limitations of cut resistant gloves
Cut resistant gloves have limitations in some specific scenarios:
- Limited puncture resistance: cut-resistant gloves provide good protection against sharp knives or other objects.However, they do not protect against sharp points such as nails and syringe needles.
- Limited resistance to certain hazardous substances: cut resistant gloves are not fully protective against some chemicals due to the different materials or designs in some locations.
- Wear and tear of gloves: Cut-resistant gloves always deteriorate with prolonged use. Always replace cut resistant gloves when they show significant wear.
What materials are used to make cut-resistant gloves?
There are many types of materials used to make cut-resistant gloves. Different materials have different properties. When selecting, you can choose the right gloves according to the material properties.
- Kevlar: a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber with ultra-high strength, which is five times stronger than steel. It is five times stronger than steel and has a high temperature range of up to 427 degrees Celsius.
Characteristics: high strength, light weight, high flexibility, high temperature resistance, and insulation. - Fibre-metal blends: a mixture of fiber and metal, can have both their characteristics.
Characteristics: stab and cut resistant, excellent abrasion resistance, flexible, and easy to use. - Dyneema fiber: excellent cut-resistant fabric; its strength-to-weight ratio is about 15 times greater than steel. Dyneema cut-resistant gloves offer excellent durability, flexibility, and lightweight cut protection.
Characteristics: high strength, waterproof and moisture resistant, chemically stable, abrasion resistant, and durable. - Spectra Fiber: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber. This fiber maintains its performance in wet environments.
Characteristics: high tenacity, high strength, light weight, abrasion resistance, and material stability. - Metal Mesh: A material made from stainless steel that provides superior cut resistance. Although durable, it is less comfortable.
Characteristics: Cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant, puncture-resistant, and durable
Factors needed to choose the right cut-resistant gloves
A proper pair of gloves can resist most of the injuries at work and thus protect our hands. It can make the user worry-free and able to study and live better. So, there are many points in selecting the right cut-resistant gloves, as well as the following.
- Materials and cut-resistant levels of protection used in the making of the gloves
- Size and length of the user’s hands
- The performance of the cut-resistant gloves
- The different needs of the working environment
- The comfort and dexterity of the gloves
- Affordability or budget
How to buy quality cut-resistant gloves?
When buying, you must pay attention to the professionalism of the supplier. Focus on the review standard of the gloves. M-tide specializes in developing and producing high-quality cut-resistant gloves. Our cut-resistant gloves are made of high-quality materials. It has been certified by ANSI to meet the required standards. For some workers, the quality of work can be guaranteed while protecting their hands. If you want to know more about cut-resistant gloves, please feel free to contact us!
FAQ
Do cut-resistant gloves protect against puncture wounds?
Puncture-resistant gloves can only protect against rough wood splinters, but not other sharper objects. Such as the tip of a needle, which can only be protected by purchasing specialized Puncture-Resistant Gloves. So, when you have a lot of exposure to sharp objects in your workplace, purchase specialized Puncture Resistant Gloves.
What are the misconceptions about cut-resistant gloves?
- The first is that cut-resistant gloves can be cut, as long as you use enough force or tools, even full metal gloves are able to be cut; cut-resistant gloves just reduce the risk.
- The second is that the test of cut-resistant gloves is not to test every part of the glove, but only to select the palm part of the hand to do the cutting test.
- The third is that leather is not cut-resistant, although it has a very high durability; the cut-resistant performance of leather is not outstanding.
Cut-resistant gloves: How to maintain?
- The first step, after using the cut-resistant gloves, is to wash the gloves, making sure to rinse with water. Next, rub them with a professional cleaning agent.
- The second step is to put the gloves in a cool and light place to dry naturally.
- The third step is to store the cut-resistant gloves in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
How to tell if the gloves are really cut-resistant?
You can check whether the cut-resistant gloves have EN388 or other certification marks on them. For example, EN388 certification, wich means that the gloves or fabrics have resistance to all kinds of mechanical risks and can protect the user’s hands. The cut-resistant levels of the gloves will also be indicated on the gloves, so you can choose the right cut-resistant gloves according to your work needs.
