If you’re working with glass, metal or razor blades, it’s a good idea to wear gloves.Cut gloves However, not all gloves are the same, and some are designed to offer specific levels of protection from hazards like cuts and puncture wounds. For instance, DDSafety’s cut gloves are designed to protect your hands from the sharp edges of these tools, but not all gloves have the same level of protection.

    The ANSI cut-resistant level classification system was recently revised to create more distinctions between different levels of gloves, but the basic principle remains the same: the higher the ANSI cut rating, the greater the protection. There are five distinct levels of cut-resistant gloves, with level 5 offering the most protection and a higher level of safety. Until 2016, ANSI also allowed two different machines to determine a glove’s level of protection, but the recent revision makes it clear that all gloves are tested on the same machine.

    Cut-resistant gloves are thicker than normal work gloves, and they’re often made with special materials that make them more resistant to cutting, puncture, abrasion and high temperatures. Typically, a combination of stainless steel, glass and high-performance fibres are engineered into the fabric of the glove to provide the desired level of protection. The result is a form-fitting, comfortable and lightweight pair of gloves that can effectively repel a blade without becoming too bulky or cumbersome to work in.

    In addition to cut-resistant elements, some gloves can offer abrasion and chemical resistance as well, or even touch-screen functionality for those who need to use their smartphones while on the job. Some gloves can be worn with other layers of PPE, including a face mask and a hard hat, for additional safety.

    While no glove can ever be considered “cut-proof,” the simple act of wearing a pair of cut gloves can drastically reduce the number of cuts that would otherwise occur in the workplace. Despite the many benefits of using gloves, some employees are reluctant to wear them, citing discomfort or a false sense of security. Ultimately, it’s up to the employer to encourage workers to take appropriate safety precautions and to use their gloves where necessary.

    Aside from a few rare cases, most people who get injured on the job experience cuts that are not serious enough to require medical attention. In these situations, a pair of cut-resistant gloves can turn a potentially deadly injury into one that requires only a band-aid. By providing a layer of protection, they ensure that your employees’ fingers stay out of harm’s way and that their jobs can continue to run smoothly. DDSafety has a large selection of gloves, from the most basic to the most advanced in terms of cut-resistant capabilities. Contact us today to find the right gloves for your team. We can also customize them to match your company’s brand. We’re committed to helping you maintain high standards of employee safety.