GUIDE TO ANSI CUT LEVELS

Your hands work hard every day, but that doesn't mean they should be hard worn. Having gloves that provide you with cut protection that's rated for the work you're doing can help protect your hands from harm on the job. At Ironclad Performance Wear, we work with people every day to find the best gloves for each application, with different ANSI levels indicating specific protection levels to help ensure workplace safety and reduce hand injuries on the job.

In this blog, we'll go through and break down all of the ANSI cut levels and what they mean, discuss factors that impact cut resistance, and how to choose the right cut level based on application. So whether you're looking for protection during metal fabrication, or protection while out on the construction site, we’ll give you all the information you’ll need to find the perfect hand protection for your safety glove application.

What is ANSI?

Otherwise known as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), this organization sets industry standards in the United States, and is typically in line with ASTM F safety standards. The ANSI standard sets voluntary industry standards in safety, including cut resistant glove standards.

When it comes to standards, there are two major global standards to evaluate work glove protection levels. The ANSI/ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) 105 standard is for the United States and EN 388 is the standard for the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Though they started out fairly similar in content, in 2016 there were adjustments changes to bring both standards closer together. This process added four new categories with the goal of making it easier to choose hand protection. This also reduced the range between each level, creating an overall standard of a 9-level scale from A1 to A9.

This process also updated and standardized the testing method that was to be used in defining safety gloves' resistance to cutting. Rather than using a range of different testing methods, a single method was drawn up to ensure that all gloves of different levels of protection received the same test. No matter the manufacturer, gloves in a particular category provide the same level of protection, though other factors may impact your choice of manufacturer, such as durability - we see you, extra left glove next to a worn-out right glove!

Learn more about these two cut resistance standards by reading this blog where we dive further into this topic by comparing both the ANSI and EN388 cut resistance testing methods.

ANSI Cut Levels Explained

But how do ANSI cut ratings impact your ability to find the perfect glove for your needs? In order to adequately protect your hands from cut hazards on the job, you’ll want to determine the ANSI cut level you need based on the type of cut hazards present in your work environment. The higher the ANSI level, the higher the level of cut protection provided by your gloves against sharp objects. So, if you're handling relatively simple materials that are not terribly sharp or are unlikely to cause serious cuts, a lower ANSI cut level (A1 - A3) may be used in many cases. On the other hand, jobs in manufacturing, construction, metalworking, and glass handling typically involve sharp tools, machinery, or materials that can cause severe cuts. In those cases, higher ANSI cut levels (A5 - A9), may be necessary. 

                              

Determining the Right ANSI Cut Level

By evaluating the specific cut hazards associated with your job, you can determine the appropriate ANSI cut level needed to ensure your safety Below, you’ll find a graphic to help you navigate the level of cut resistance needed for common industrial jobs, with the forces required to cut each level of cut resistance. 

          ANSI Cut Levels Chart   

Shop Ironclad Cut Resistant Gloves

At Ironclad Performance Wear, our focus is providing safety managers and our clients with the right safety equipment for the job, so that you can not only be safe while working, but so you can also work effectively and efficiently. Our lineup of cut resistant gloves provides you with a wide range of options for your workspace, from near-disposable ANSI A1 cut level to our extensive lineup of ANSI A7 cut level in a range of insulated, nitrile, and waterproof options. At Ironclad, we believe in serving our customers' needs by focusing on what they face on the job every day. Why not check out our many options for personal protective equipment and accessories to see what we have to make your work day safer?

                             

Considerations for Choosing Cut Resistant Gloves

It is important to note that while ANSI cut levels provide a standardized measure for cut resistance, they are not the sole factor to consider when selecting gloves. Depending on the kind that you do, you'll want to consider not only the cut level hazard, but also abrasion resistance and puncture resistance, which may or may not be affiliated to the ANSI cut level. Other factors, such as grip, comfort, durability, and any additional protective features you may need for specific work tasks (like chemical resistance or thermal protection), should also be taken into account.

Read the Ironclad Cut Glovepedia here, where we dive into several additional features and safety components that should be taken into account when choosing a cut resistant glove. 

                              

Factors that can affect ANSI Cut Resistance

So what can impact your gloves' ANSI cut resistance? For one, different materials are used in your gloves based on your specific application. Kevlar and HPPE are commonly used due to their resistance to cuts, though again, they may not provide puncture resistance for sharp objects, requiring a palm coating or similar treatment to improve this type of issue.

Similarly, glove construction can improve cut resistance. For many gloves that have a high cut score, they'll be manufactured using a seamless knit, which means that the entire glove is a near-continuous piece of material, preventing breakage. Similarly, reinforced stitching provides an additional level of cut protection, as it prevents the material from being worn through as easily.