Glove procurement should be handled with care

Glove procurement should be handled with care

Safety gloves are safety gloves, right? And as long as your staff have PPE, they’re protected? If only it was as simple as that! Choosing the right PPE for each task is key. If you select the wrong equipment, your team may be at an increased risk of accidents and injuries.

Cut Resistance

To help you identify which safety gloves are right for specific jobs, the gloves are given a Cut Resistance level, from 1-5. These ratings are determined depending on the level of protection they offer against blades, glass and sharp objects. To work out the Cut Level, a sample of the glove is cut repeatedly, until the material is fully lacerated. The number of cuts required to sever the glove decides the Cut Resistance Level, with Level 1 being just one cut and Level 5 being 20 cuts before the material is split.

Cut Level 1-2 safety gloves offer a low level of protection against sharp objects, so are most suited to tasks like general handling and packaging. These gloves are thinner than the higher-level options, so allow greater flexibility and dexterity and can be used for tasks that require fine motor skills.

If the task includes some contact with sharp, but not razor sharp, objects, Cut Level 3 work gloves are more suitable. They are particularly useful for the construction industry, including electrical work, plumbing and general handling. Cut Level 4 gloves can be used for work that involves some contact with sharp metal edges, glass or blades. Whilst they do not offer as much protection as Cut Level 5 gloves, they are more flexible, so provide the user with more finger control. These gloves can be used in construction roles, the automotive industry and glass handling, or other areas where there is a possibility that hands may be cut.

The highest degree of protection is offered by Level 5 Cut Resistance gloves; they win hands down. These gloves are durable enough to also resist punctures and tears, making them appropriate for workers in hazardous environments. They lower the risk of injury for staff that come into contact with sharp objects and blades or handle metal, glass or waste, on a daily basis.

If you need help deciding on the right gloves, with the necessary Cut Resistance Level for your business, contact one of our experts on 0845 208 4500 or email [email protected]

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