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MAKING SENSE OF CUT RESISTANT DATA
It is common knowledge that cut and lacerations to the hands, arms, and fingers are one the most costly expenditures when it comes to injuries in the industrial workplace. These injuries can account for up to 40% or more of OSHA Reportable injuries in a plant or factory depending on the type of environment where the work is being done. Safety Directors, Industrial Hygienists, and Risk Control Managers have been well of these injuries and are taking the necessary steps eliminate or reduce these injuries.
This is now more feasible than it has ever been. Newly developed yarns combined with Flat-dipped technology have produced a variety of products that are less bulky, more comfortable, and at times, more cut-resistant than traditional products. These endearing qualities go a long way in gaining worker acceptance which in the end equates to compliance. Simply put, if the glove is comfortable and the worker will wear it, and the protection level is as good as or better than the current product, everybody wins!
Consider the evolution of cut-resistant gloves. The original leather palm products were replaced by multi-layered hot mills and then came terry cloth. Terry cloth was then replaced by para-aramids. This technology has served the heavy industrial markets well and continues to do so. The food processing and food service industries were protected by extended chain polyethylene Dyneema and engineered yarns. These products were very protective but tended to be too slippery to be practical in the more traditional industries.
New technology has bridged the gap between those applications that require finite dexterity combined with certain levels of cut-resistance. Flat-dipped products are made by dipping only the working surface or palm area of the glove. This leaves that back of the hand and in most cases the backs of the fingers open to allow air to circulate and provide more comfort for the wearer. This allows the thinner, slicker and sometimes higher cut-resistant fibers such as Dyneema and engineered yarns to be worn in many industrial applications.
EN388 VS ASTM 1790-04
For years the safety industry has been working on standardized tests and measurements to determine the cut resistance of a product. Europe has developed their measuring standard as EN388. This is a numbering sequence that provides “Levels” in abrasion, blade cut, puncture, and tear. These levels are ranked 1 through 5. (1 is the lowest, 5 the highest)
The US market has standardized on the ANSI/ISEA 105-2005 using the ASTM 1790-04 test method. This standard also has a “level” rating based on a 1 through 5 numbering sequence (1 again also being the lowest and 5 is the highest. This is for cut only and does not include abrasion, puncture, and tear ratings.
The Levels in both the EN388 and the ASTM 1790-04 are determined by the weight needed to cut the fabric 20mm (3/4 inch). This weight is often referenced in grams. This is critical information and much more important than the generalized levels set by both the EN388 and ASTM 1790-04.
Below is a comparison of the two standards and you will see why it is important to discuss “weight” as apposed to “levels”:
EN388 Standard vs. ANSI Standard/ASTM 1790-04
Level EN388 ANSI/ISEA
Weight Needed to Cut Weight Needed to Cut
1 120 grams 200 grams
2 250 grams 500 grams
3 500 grams 1000 grams
4 1000 grams 1500 grams
5 2000 grams 3500 grams
The first thing you will notice is the actual weights differ quite substantially from the EN388 to ANSI/ASTM 1790-04. Notice the differences in level 2 & 3. The weight required to cut the glove is 2x that of the same EN Level. Next, note the window size of each level. Now let’s try to understand how these weights are determined...
Here Is a brief overview of how the ASTM 1790-04 is performed
1. A sample swatch of material is mounted onto a curved holder which has a copper electrical conductor strip running down the very center of it where the cutting will take place. We use two-
sided tape along the sides to hold the sample secure.
2. The applicable weight is put onto a pan at the end of an arm that applies the pressure down on the blade.
3. A new Stainless Steel blade is installed in the holder. A new blade is used on every test.
4. The blade is lowered onto the sample and the machine is turned on. The blade moves slowly across the sample until the blade cuts through and touches the electrical copper strip stopping the machine.
5. The distance the blade traveled is displayed on the controller and then it is recorded onto a sheet next to the weight that was used.
6. You test at three different weights, a weight that gives you a blade movement of approximately 5mm - 20mm, one weight the gives you 25mm – 50mm and then a weight that yields a number in between. The blade is also calibrated by testing one blade at the beginning and one at the end
using a calibration material. This is called normalizing the blades and improves the accuracy of the test by determining the sharpness of the blades used. Blades will differ from batch to batch.
7. The data is plotted in a computer program which determines the cut resistance based on the
formulas established by the ASTM standards load vs. normalized cut length. It also determines the accuracy of the data or R2.
OK, so this is some pretty complicated stuff so I’ll make it easy. In Economics 101 the core Concept is Supply vs. Demand. In Cut-Resistance 101 it is; how much weight does it take to make a 20mm cut in this Glove (material)? Try looking at it like this, the Level Is your admission ticket into the stadium. The grams to cut are your actual seat. Are you sitting in the end-zone or do you have club level seats? There is a substantial difference.
How do we put this Information to practical use?
Let’s start by understanding the basics. There are two standards of measurement (EN388/ASTM 1790-04). Both standards are based on “Levels” but the levels are different. Note the “grams to cut” to achieve level 5 for EN388 IS 2000 and the “grams to cut” to achieve Level s in the ASTM 1790-04 is 3500! Both standards contain variances from level to level within. Note the difference of 250 grams from level 2 to level 3 in the EN388. Then note the window in level 3 to level 4 is 500 grams. That’s twice the variance! This is why it’s so important to educate yourself or work with a safety professional who is willing to provide you with actual measurement/weight referencing grams to cut.
There is more to note here as well. To achieve Level 5 in the EN388, a glove must withstand 2000 + grams. In reality, this is fairly easy to do and many gloves/fibers can accomplish this. Consider that many products are being made today that exceed a score of 6,000 grams. Why is this important? Let’s say you specify a cut Level 5 glove in your facility. First off, is this EN388 or ASTM 1790-04? Now, you know the application requires a high level cut-resistant product. What is to stop someone from submitting a glove that barely surpasses 2000 grams versus a glove that is 4,000 grams? Both would be considered EN388 cut level 5 gloves. That is 2x the cut-resistance! This scenario can happen in most of the levels if a customer is content on merely specifying the Levels and not tuning into the gram sore. The key advice Is to compare grams scores and not cut levels.
A word of caution should be exercised... There are many companies out there promoting cut resistant products. I would advise dealing with an established and reputable company such as PIP. Consider a supplier that has the resources and willingness to provide testing and data to meet the above tests.
BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE NEED REMINDING
Deep cuts can sever nerves, muscles or tendons. Lacerations can occur if you are not careful while handling sharp objects or cutting tools, such as sheet metal, knives or saws. If tendons or nerves are cut you may permanently lose feeling or function in your hand. To prevent this type of injury, keep hands out of energized equipment and watch what you grab. Sometimes complacency is our enemy because we take for granted the risks we encounter every day. Using the appropriate cut resistant glove will aid in your safety efforts and so will paying attention to your surrounding hazards. Think safe, be safe.
For the safe protection of your hands BestValueSupply suggests some of the following cut resistant gloves:
G-Tek Cut-Resistant-Dyneema-Gloves
D-Flex Stainless Steel®cut-resistant Glove
T-Flex Plus®Cut Resistant Glove
Kevlar®Work Gloves-Cut Resistant-PVC coated
Nuaramid®Seamless Knit Cut Resistant Glove
Nitri-Flex® Ultimate
Your one source for all your Kevlar Work Gloves, cut resistant and seamless knit work gloves. Buy them at BesValueSupply for fast shipping and value pricing
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