Cut Resistant Gloves

Cut resistant safety gloves protect the wearer's hands from cuts while working with high hazard industries such as knives, or sharp materials like metal. These cut-resistant gloves provide high-level protection whilst giving the wearer maximum dexterity. At Southland, our cut resistant gloves are available in different brands like Bastion, ATG, Uvex, and Safetek

Cut-Resistant Gloves Explained

Cut-resistant gloves are designed to protect hands from cuts or lacerations due to contact with cutting machines, cutting equipment, tools, or sharp-edged items such as knives, blades, metals, glass, or ceramics.

Cut-resistant gloves are made of special composite materials in combination with stainless steel mesh, fibreglass, or synthetic high-performance yarns.

EN 388:2016 – Modification to the Standard for Cut Resistant Gloves Explained

The European standard EN 388:2016 that is designed for ‘Protective gloves against mechanical risks’ has now been published to replace the EN 388:2003 safety gloves standard. Safety gloves account for the largest market share of all personal protective equipment sold.

Due to the continuous development of materials, the standard used to test and classify safety gloves has been updated to EN 388:2016. The new standard enables levels of protection against different risks to be defined. These defined levels of protection allow appropriate gloves to be selected, based on the hazards and risks identified for specific work activities.

Changes under the EN 388:2016

Abrasion Resistance

Abrasion testing is now carried out using a different test paper. As a result, safety gloves will receive a different score under EN 388:2016 to the score originally assigned under EN 388:2003. This means gloves may have a different rating under the new standard than what they did in the old.

Cut Resistance Testing

One of the main changes under EN 388:2016 is that the gloves will now be tested to a circular blade cut (ISO Cut Resistance) and a straight blade cut. Under the 2003 standard, they were tested on a circular blade only.

Circular blade testing is now carried out for more cycles than previously. This means that it is harder for safety gloves to achieve a higher level of cut resistance.

Impact Protection Testing

Where applicable, a rating for impact protection is now included under EN 388:2016 which means that if a safety glove claims impact resistant properties, it will be tested to ensure the validity of this claim. The impact protection score will only be included in the table if applicable, and if it is, it will be recognised by the letter P.

New Markings in EN 388:2016 Standard

The new order of performance rating (from left to right) is abrasion; circular blade cut; tear; puncture; and straight blade cut (EN ISO cut). The new rating received for cut resistance is classified using the letters A to F, with "F" being the highest level, and "A" being the lowest. If a glove provides protection against impact, this will be denoted with a sixth symbol – a "P" – underneath the EN 388:2016 marking.

Choosing the Best Cut Resistant Gloves

Evaluate your environment.
Are injuries occurring frequently?
Where / when do these injuries occur? At prep stations? During kitchen rush hours? When changing blades?
How do they occur? With box cutters? Larger knives? Machines? Glass?
What is the cut resistance level of your current gloves, and are they being worn? If not, is it due to discomfort or lack of flexibility and mobility?
Will a more comfortable glove encourage my employees to wear gloves?
Do I need a higher level of cut resistance due to the kitchen tasks we are performing?
Do I need a glove that offers heat resistance or moisture resistance in addition to cut resistance?

It is best to analyse your environment and determine which glove will best suit your needs. With our extensive range of cut resistant gloves available in multiple sizes, colours and styles, you will be able to find a glove that will suit your application!