Puncture Resistant Gloves are very important for workers who have to work frequently. Workers are often exposed to the risk of injury from sharp tools and sharp glass shards. Or the risk of needles in health care. Puncture Resistant Gloves provide protection against these dangerous items. But Puncture-Resistant Gloves are also graded for safety. There are different organizations in the market that have developed different safety ratings. This guide will take you through the safety ratings of Puncture-Resistant Gloves.
What is puncture resistance?
A puncture resistance standard is a uniform guideline for measuring puncture resistance. There are two main standards that are popularly used in the market today:
- One is the ANSI standard for puncture resistance set by the American National Standards Institute. ANSI/ISEA 105.
- The other is developed by the European EN388 standard.
They both measure standards by testing gloves in a puncture test. However, they are not evaluated in the same way. While both use probes, there are differences in probe geometry and test rates. The result is that the data are not exactly equivalent.
Each rating also has a different puncture resistance. When choosing gloves, be sure to read which puncture resistance standard is printed on the glove label.
ANSI and EN 388 Rating Systems
I believe that many people when they see ANSI and EN. Are confused: do not understand what this means, do not know if this means good or bad. What’s more, I don’t know what the price difference is with other gloves without the logo. These doubts, I hope in this article, can be answered for you.
In fact, ANSI and EN are two different evaluation standards. They are both used to evaluate the effectiveness of gloves in protecting hands against punctures.
The tests are conducted by a third-party organization. Different items can be measured: tear resistance, cut resistance. Durability, puncture resistance, and impact resistance.
There are 5 levels of ANSI and 4 levels of EN.
ANSI Puncture Resistance Standard (ANSI/ISEA 105)
| Level | Force to Pierce Material (Newtons) | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10–19 N | Light handling, warehousing operations |
| 2 | 20–59 N | Parts assembly, light structural work |
| 3 | 60–99 N | Packaging, medium handling |
| 4 | 100–149 N | Sheet metal work, industrial operations |
| 5 | ≥150 N | Heavy industry, high-risk environments |
EN Puncture Resistance Standard (EN 388)
| Level | Force to Pierce Material (Newtons) | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20–59 N | Light material handling |
| 2 | 60–99 N | Small parts assembly |
| 3 | 100–149 N | Medium material handling |
| 4 | ≥150 N | Sheet metal handling |
| 5 | Not applicable | — |
Test Method: ASTM F2878
ASTM F2878 tests the resistance of Puncture Resistant Gloves to puncture by hypodermic injection. Simply put, it is a puncture resistance test for extremely small needles.
The method was updated to the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard in 2016. It uses 21G, 25G, or 28G needles to test the force required to penetrate the material. It is graded according to the data in the table below:
| Level | 500 mm/min Puncture Force (N) | Description/Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | < 2 | Below minimum resistance |
| 1 | ≥ 2 | Minimum needlestick resistance |
| 2 | ≥ 4 | Low needlestick resistance |
| 3 | ≥ 6 | Moderate needlestick resistance |
| 4 | ≥ 8 | High needlestick resistance |
| 5 | ≥ 10 | Highest needlestick resistance |
ASTM F2878 is a new evaluation method added in recent years. It is similar to the original EN388 method, and there are only minor differences between them.
- Test method: They both use special machines. The test material is clamped with a splint. Then a cone is used for the puncture test.
- Differences: The difference is that ASTM F2878 uses a smaller needle, while EN 388 uses a blunt tip like a ballpoint pen.
In fact, there are many Puncture Resistant Gloves on the market that use older versions of the test. Although they are older versions of the test, they are still of the same quality as the previous versions. However, their quality still meets the standards of the previous version. You can buy them with confidence.
What shape are anti-tamper labels?
I am very grateful to the person who explained to me the interpretation of the stab-proof label. He enabled me to independently identify the various performance levels of gloves. I hope this article will also help you to pick the right Puncture-Resistant Gloves!
I am very grateful to the person who explained to me the interpretation of the stab-proof label. He enabled me to independently identify the various performance levels of gloves. I hope this article will also help you to pick the right Puncture-Resistant Gloves!
Older version of EN 388 label: Shield
- The EN label contains 4 numbers: From left to right. They correspond to abrasion resistance, cut resistance, tear resistance, and puncture resistance.
- The other two letters indicate, respectively, cut resistance and impact resistance.
- If there is an “X” in any of these 6 data points. Then it means that the data has not yet been determined.
- The fourth digit corresponds to the puncture resistance.
Conclusion: There are a total of 1 to 4 levels. The higher the number, the higher the puncture resistance.
In the latest version, ANSI uses a pentagram to mark the individual performance levels:
- The top center represents Cut.
- Left side for Abrasion
- Right side for Puncture
In terms of understanding the glove’s ability to resist magnetism. You need to focus on the data on the right side of the pentagon.
Puncture-resistant Glove Supplier—M-tide
MTIDE specializes in the development of high-quality, protective Puncture Resistant Gloves. Our Puncture Resistant Gloves address a wide range of scenarios where there is a risk of puncture. The R&D team simulates a variety of puncture risks and injuries. Only to restore the most realistic first scene. Our Puncture-Resistant Gloves have undergone many rounds of rigorous testing. Ensure that you can achieve the protective effect, the most outstanding Puncture-Resistant Gloves. Ensure that workers use them with peace of mind and confidence. If you want to know more about Puncture-Resistant Gloves. If you would like to know more about Puncture Resistant Gloves and what grade of gloves you should choose, please feel free to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is level 5 protection in gloves?
Level 5 protection in gloves usually refers to ANSI/ISEA 105 Level 5. It can withstand a puncture force of 150 N.
- Composition:
It is made of aramid with excellent protective effect and cut resistance. Or it is made of glass fiber, steel wire, and high-density polyethylene. Composite yarns and nitrile, polyurethane coatings will also be used. It further enhances the grip and abrasion resistance of the gloves. - Applications:
Level 5 protective gloves can provide some protection in many heavy-duty processing areas. For example: food processing, warehousing, glass processing, etc.
What is the highest level of Puncture-Resistant Gloves?
There are two main standards for Puncture-Resistant Gloves. These are EN 388:2016 in Europe and ANSI/ISEA 105 in the USA.
- There are four levels of the EN 388 standard, with the most effective being level 4. The best puncture resistance is level 4, which can provide a puncture force of more than 150N.
- ANSI/ISEA 105 is divided into 5 levels. The best protection is level 5. It can provide protection against puncture forces of more than 150 N.
Is Puncture level 5 better than 4?
Puncture level 5 provides protection against puncture forces of over 150 N.
Puncture level 4 provides protection against puncture forces of 100-149 N or more. Level 5 is better than Level 4 in terms of puncture protection. They are also used in different application scenarios.
- ANSI/ISEA 105 Grade 5:Commonly used in heavy construction, processing, manufacturing, and metal processing. or mining, oil industry, gas industry.
- ANSI/ISEA 105 Grade 4: Commonly used in glass processing and building construction. or food processing, metal stamping, etc.
What is the most commonly used puncture resistance rating?
Different industries have different needs. For the vast majority of industries, ANSI 4 ratings are adequate. Their resistance to puncture is high enough. They are especially used in the construction industry. Other industries have their own puncture resistance ratings.
[Emphasis added]: For the paper industry and, more dangerously, for high-risk metal stamping.
ANSI Class 5 is required for protection.
If you’re not sure what level of puncture protection you need, please contact us. Consulting with a professional is the most efficient and foolproof solution.
Which material is the most puncture-resistant?
In the PPE industry. The strongest puncture-resistant material is usually SuperFabric (with micro-defense armor) . or densely woven DuPont Kevlar. Carbon fiber is hard but brittle and is rarely used for glove coatings or linings.
What other factors should I consider when choosing Puncture Resistant Gloves?
The truth is that there is more to choosing Puncture Resistant Gloves than just puncture resistance. In the selection, you also need to pay attention to the requirements of dexterity, waterproof, and so on.
- If the working environment is humid and greasy. Then you need to add moisture-proof and anti-slip properties to the gloves.
- If the working environment is high temperature, such as welding work. Then you need to consider adding high-temperature resistance to the gloves.
- If the work is highly detailed, such as wood carving, small parts processing. Then you need to consider gloves with more dexterity.
