Cut Levels Explained: How to Choose the Right Cut-Resistant Glove

It only takes a second really. A slip with a utility knife, a piece of metal with a rough edge and suddenly someone's off to first aid, or indeed worse. If your team handles sharp materials every day, the gloves they wear matter far more than most people think.

The difficult bit is selecting the right ones. Walk into any supplier's catalogue and you'll see ANSI A1 to A9, EN 388 ratings, liner materials you've never heard of and a whole host of grip coatings. It's very easy to be overwhelmed.

The good news is that once you get your head around a few of the basics the choice becomes a lot easier. Let's go through them.

What Do Cut-Resistant Glove Levels Actually Mean?

In simple terms a cut rating is a measure of how well the material of a glove resists a blade in a laboratory test. It's a common language for safety people and buyers to use when comparing gloves and selecting the right one for the job.

You'll essentially come across two systems: ANSI/ISEA 105 in the US and EN 388 in Europe.

The ANSI A1–A9 Scale

ANSI/ISEA 105 ratings range from A1 to A9 with regard to cut resistance. The higher the rating the more force it takes to cut through the material. A1 is the lowest level of protection and A9 the highest.

ANSI cut level	Test force	Typical applications to assess
A1	200–499 grams	Light assembly and general handling
A2	500–999 grams	Packaging and routine material handling
A3	1,000–1,499 grams	Handling materials with moderately sharp edges
A4	1,500–2,199 grams	Metal fabrication and industrial maintenance
A5	2,200–2,999 grams	Handling sharp metal components
A6	3,000–3,999 grams	More demanding fabrication and sharp-edge handling
A7	4,000–4,999 grams	High cut-risk industrial applications
A8	5,000–5,999 grams	Very high cut-risk applications
A9	6,000 grams and above	Applications requiring very high cut resistance

Remember that these figures refer to the force used in the ANSI test, not a guarantee that the glove will stop every blade or every material. Your workplace risk assessment should always have the final say.

What About EN 388 Cut Levels A–F?

Were you buying gloves that were made or tested for the European market? You'd very likely see an EN 388 marking on the glove or on the packaging.

EN 388 uses a TDM cut test and assigns a letter from A to F. Same idea as ANSI: the further along the alphabet, the more cutting force the material withstood.

EN 388 level	Minimum test force
A	2 newtons
B	5 newtons
C	10 newtons
D	15 newtons
E	22 newtons
F	30 newtons

One caveat: the two systems use different test methods and different scales so you can't just convert an ANSI rating into an EN 388 letter or vice versa. If you're comparing gloves from both systems then you have to go by the manufacturer's ratings.

Want to see what's out there? Take a look at our SHOWA® protective gloves for a whole range of hand protection.

Which Cut Level Is Right for the Job?

It boils down to three questions really: what are your people working on, how are they working on it and how bad would a cut be? A glove that's ideal for opening cartons could leave someone very exposed on a sheet metal line.

A1–A3: Packaging, Warehousing and Light Handling

If your team are predominantly working with cartons, packaging, small parts and the like (i.e. fairly low risk materials) then a lower cut rating will often be sufficient.

Think of warehouse people moving all that cardboard all day, or assembly people picking up all those little components. They're after something light, something that has a good grip and doesn't get in the way of their fingers.

That said by no means write off box cutting as benign. Exposed blades, the repetitive nature of the cutting and the fact that you can have sharp edges hidden right inside the packaging all present a potential for serious injury. You need to look at the blade, look at how people are cutting and look at what they are cutting before you assign a rating.

A4–A6: Metal Fabrication, Glass and Industrial Work

Once the sharp edges have become part of the day to day then you're likely to need to go one step further with protection. This range is common for jobs like:

• Handling of sheet metal and fabricated metal.
• Moving glass panels and sharp edged components.
• Industrial assembly and maintenance.
• Working with sharp materials in the manufacturing and processing environment.

For work like this, A4–A6 gloves are a sensible place to start your search.

Don't stop at the cut rating really. A person working on oily metal parts is going to need a coating that won't allow things to slip, whereas the person doing precision assembly is going to be far happier in a thinner glove that doesn't fight their fingers.

A7–A9: High-Risk Cutting Applications

Some of the work involves genuinely sharp materials and there is a very real possibility of a serious cut. Depending on what your risk assessment shows, these may call for A7–A9 protection.

But don't just go for the highest number. The best glove is the one that provides the level of protection required for the job whilst still allowing the worker to handle the materials safely and with confidence.

Remember: cut-resistant is not the same as cut-proof. Don't rely on gloves when working around exposed moving blades or rotating machinery (they could get caught and pull a hand in). Always adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for the equipment and your own site procedures.

Three Things to Check Beyond the Cut Rating

A glove can pass the cut test and still be the wrong glove. If it doesn't fit, doesn't grip or isn't comfortable, workers will struggle, and some will simply take it off.

1. Dexterity and Fit

Ask yourself: can your team pick up the small bits, use their tools and handle the materials without fumbling?

Bulky gloves make fine assembly work a right pain. Loose gloves reduce control and can be a hazard in their own right.

Get the sizing right and pick a design that's appropriate for the hand movements required for the task. Best of all, have a few workers try some samples before you go in to a large order.

2. Grip and Coating

The coating decides how securely someone can hold onto tools and materials.

Nitrile is a very common glove material and is available in a range of finishes for different applications. Some are ideally suited to dry work, others are specifically designed to maintain their grip on oily or wet materials.

Read the product specs properly. A high cut rating tells you absolutely nothing about grip or chemical protection.

3. Comfort and Breathability

If you're on gloves for a full shift they need to be comfortable and allow you to work naturally.

Breathable liners, flexible materials and a good fit all go a long way to minimising fatigue and discomfort during repetitive work. You're looking for that sweet spot between protection and practicality.

SHOWA® Cut-Resistant Gloves Worth a Look

At ECO MDS Associates we supply SHOWA® hand protection for industrial and workplace use. Here are three gloves worth putting on your shortlist.

SHOWA® S-TEX® 377: ANSI A4 Cut Protection

The SHOWA® S-TEX® 377 combines Hagane Coil® cut resistant technology with a fully coated nitrile shell.

It's ideal for industrial use where you need cut protection, full coverage and a reliable grip.

Good for: sharp edged items, manufacturing and industrial material handling.

SHOWA® DURACoil™ 546: Flexible Protection for Precision Handling

The SHOWA® DURACoil™ 546 is an ANSI A4 cut resistant glove offering cut protection with flexibility.

When the job is one of constant hand movement it's just as important to be able to handle the parts correctly as it is to have a good cut level.

Good for: assembly, inspection and precision work where ANSI A4 is appropriate.

SHOWA® S-TEX® Alpha XC820: ANSI A6 Cut Protection

Need more cut resistance? The SHOWA® S-TEX® Alpha XC820 uses a tungsten based liner in an 18 gauge.

It's worth evaluating when your team needs ANSI A6 protection but still wants a relatively thin glove for handling materials.

Good for: industrial work with sharp materials where your risk assessment calls for A6 protection.

Product availability and specs can change at any time. Please check the latest product datasheet and cut rating prior to ordering.

Don't Forget About Your Forearms

Hands get most of the attention, but plenty of jobs put forearms at risk too.

If you're moving large metal sheets, glass panels or anything that extends beyond the hand then a glove by itself won't be sufficient. That's where a cut resistant sleeve is required.

The SHOWA® S8115-16T cut resistant sleeve provides 16" of coverage and has a thumb loop to keep it in place.

If you need that extra forearm coverage, look at the sleeve's specs alongside your glove choice. Check the cu