The daily schedule of an industrial worker involves using different types of machines. Handling sharp objects can expose them to cuts and amputations. Cut resistant gloves are developed specifically to protect hands from sharp edges of machines made from glass, metal or other materials. Cut protection can be improved by increasing weight of material through the use of composite yarns that are made from different combinations of fiberglass, synthetic yarns and stainless steel.

The performance of these gloves isn’t affected by the weight of the material, but rather by coatings that are applied to its outside surface. Gloves with light weight are usually more flexible and, as a result, ensure less fatigue to the user. Heavy gloves are used to protect the hands from cuts and abrasion. Gloves that come with coating improve grip, particularly on slippery surfaces. The normal cut resistant fibers and materials include Super Fabric, metal mesh, and spectra fiber.

Gloves with heavyweight are usually made from interlocked stainless steel mesh that offers a better protection from cut and abrasion due to its strength. Gloves made from Super Fabric are a combination of some layers, surface coatings and thickness. As a result, they come with different levels of cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance.

Tactile surfaces provide better grip on wet and oily surfaces. Gloves that are made from spectra fiber provide high cut resistance and is much more stronger than steel. They are resistant to cuts and abrasions and are usually lightweight and flexible. This is the major reason they are used in appliance and automobile assembly.

But before selecting cut-resistant hand gloves, an employer needs to understand the various test methods and standards. The ASTM F1790-97 is the normal standard testing method that is used to measure cut resistance of materials that are used in protective clothing. Developed by DuPont, it is used in labs that have a Cut Protection Performance Test (CPPT) cut test machine. The cut data which is generated through the process is utilized to specify American National Standard cut levels.

The EN 388-2003 is the European norm that is used for protective gloves against mechanical hazards. The method uses the Cut Protection Performance Test (CPPT) cut test machine. The ASTM 790-05(2005 method) is used for measuring cut resistance in labs that use a Tomodynamometer(TDM) cut test machine and has been harmonized with ISO 13997 cut test method. Though it can be used for TDM as well as CPPT cut test machines, yet at present ASTM 1790-97 is used for CPPT and ASTM 1790-95 for TDM.

At present, ASTM F1790-95 is being used for measuring cut resistance. When used on a CPPT tester, the values that you obtain by using ASTM 1790-95 are always lower than values obtained with ASTM F1790-95 version. Once you have a clear understanding of these methods, you will be able to select the best type of cut resistant gloves for your employees. Incidents of industrial accidents will go down as a result and improve their productivity.

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