It is safe to say that ensuring maximum cut protection should be high up on your priority list now that the EN388:2016 standards are in place. But, with so much choice out there on the market, you might just be struggling to decide on which pair of cut resistant gloves to invest in.
However, there is no need to worry. The following blog post will cover everything you need to know to ensure you choose the correct type of gloves depending on your particular circumstances. So, without any further ado – here’s our complete guide to cut resistant gloves!
How to Choose the Correct Gloves in Cut Protection
When it comes to choosing the correct pair of cut resistant gloves, there is a process which you can follow which involves three steps – identify the task, the hazard, and the risk of injury. If you are able to recognise each of these beforehand, you’ll be well on your way to enhanced cut protection.
Task
Depending on the type of work you are undertaking, you’ll need to take into account how much dexterity and flexibility you’ll need to conduct the task appropriately and safely. While there are too many tasks and working environments to cover, the following section will give you an idea of which gloves you’ll need to use. The types of work can be divided into the following:
- Light Duty
- Medium Duty
- Heavy Duty
In terms of glove coatings, there are many different materials used. Selecting the correct type of gloves will depend on the conditions involved in the work you are undertaking. For example, dry conditions would usually use PU, Latex or Nitrile, whereas Leather would be more appropriate in conditions in which heat is involved.
Hazard
It is important to identify the level of control you have over the hazard when it comes to preventing injuries. Hazard factors can be broken down into five separate categories which are as follows:
Cut protection should always be one of the first things to consider when carrying out tasks. However, should you find yourself working with chemicals, this should always take priority as the leading hazard.
If you need protection against any heat and cold hazards, you will need to assess your particular needs as you will only have limited options when it comes to the range of gloves you have to choose from.
Risk of Injury
The likelihood of you getting injured can be ranked from 1-6, with 1 being the least likely to cause injury, and 6 being the highest. See the table below for more information:
In order to assess the likelihood of an injury being caused, you’ll need to carry out a risk assessment which involves performing a Hazard x Risk calculation. In doing so, this will enable you to select the type of glove which will offer the appropriate level of cut resistance.
Using the two tables outlined in this blog post will allow you to calculate the required level of cut protection you need – using the value of Newton’s in order to determine the correct performance level.
You should always go one cut performance level up if you are unsure of the required level of cut protection. That way, you can rest assured that you’ll be covered in terms of achieving enhanced protection from cuts. To determine the most appropriate level according to EN 388:2016 standards, simply refer to the levels above.