How do you know if a high performance glove offers the level of protection needed for a specific application? Will it provide the right level of cut resistance when handling sharp objects? Will it fall apart after a day’s worth of repetitive tasks? To safeguard workers and provide quality assurance, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed standardized glove ratings for cut protection, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, and even impact protection.
Why Do ANSI Glove Ratings Matter?
ANSI’s mission “is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.”
American National Standards (ANS) are created only after due process requirements are met, ones that include openness, balance, and consensus, from ANS Voting Groups. These groups are comprised of thousands of volunteers – from individuals to company representatives to consumer groups and more.
The Value of ANS Designations on PPE
- They promote trust from national and international stakeholders by demonstrating that a standard’s development process meets specific criteria.
- They provide guidance for glove selection and personal protection by identifying the levels of protection built into gloves.
- They serve as the basis for other quality standards, such as ISO, which are then adopted as other ANS.
What Are the ANSI Ratings for Gloves?
The primary ANSI ratings related to gloves include cut resistance, abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, and impact protection.
ANSI CUT RESISTANCE RATING
The ANSI Cut Resistance ratings range from A1 (lowest level) to A9 (highest level). To accomplish the higher cut ratings, different materials and fibers are added to the glove, such as Kevlar® and Glass and/or Steel Fibers. If the job doesn’t require high cut protection, you may not need to invest in a glove that offers more than what the application requires, and keep in mind that cut-resistant doesn’t equal cut proof. The glove can still be cut, but it is more resistant to cuts than unrated gloves. You can see the variety of these ratings, fibers, and coatings in high-performance, cut resistant gloves here.
HOW ANSI CUT RESISTANCE IS MEASURED
To determine cut resistance, a test sample is cut by a straight-edge blade, under load, that moves along a straight path. The sample is cut five times, each under three different loads, and the data is used to determine the required load to cut through the test sample at a distance of 2mm (0.8 inches). Test scores are expressed in levels determined by the number of grams (load). The higher the number of grams, the more cut resistant the material.
COMMON APPLICATIONS FOR ANSI CUT RESISTANT GLOVE RATINGS
A1 – Maintenance, Material Handling, Small Parts Assembly, Warehouse
A2 – Assembly, Appliance Manufacturing, Auto Repair, Construction/Remodeling, Maintenance, Material Handling, Metal Fabrication
A3 – Same as Above
A4 – Aerospace, Appliance Manufacturing, Automotive, Construction/Remodeling, Glass Handling, HVAC, Machining, Metal Fabrication, Stamping, Paper/Pulp Production
A5 – Aerospace, Appliance Manufacturing, Automotive, Bottling/Canning, Construction/Re- modeling, Flooring Installation, Glass Handling, HVAC, Machining, Metal Fabrication, Stamping, Paper/Pulp Production
A6 – All of the Above Plus Meat Processing, Recycling, Window Manufacturing
A7 – Automotive Demolition, High-Grip Applications, Sheet Metal Handling, Welding
A8 – Automotive Demolition, Heavy Equipment Maintenance, High-Grip Applications, Oil & Gas, Pulp & Saw Mills, Sheet Metal Handling, Welding
A9 – Same as Above
EXAMPLE OF GLOVES WITH ANSI CUT RATINGS
DOWNLOAD this ANSI Cut Resistance Chart for easy reference when selecting ANSI-rated cut-resistant gloves.
ANSI ABRASION RESISTANCE RATING
The ANSI Abrasion Resistance ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). A variety of glove applications involve repetitive tasks in abrasive environments, such as brick laying, sanding, and demolition. The abrasion score helps determine how well a glove will hold up under those conditions and therefore provide dependable protection from scrapes.
HOW THE ANSI ABRASION RESISTANCE RATING IS DETERMINED FOR GLOVES
To measure abrasion resistance, the material is placed in a machine under a wheel that creates friction. Abrasion resistance is determined by the number of rotations made by the wheel before abrasion occurs.
COMMON APPLICATIONS FOR ANSI ABRASION RESISTANCE GLOVE RATINGS
1 – Paper/Cardboard Cuts, Light Material Handling, Parts Assembly
2 – Same as Above
3 – Light Construction, Material Handling, Parts Assembly, Packaging
4 – Construction, Metal Fabricating, Light Glass Handling, Manufacturing
5 – Pulp/Paper Manufacturing, Metal Stamping, Food Service, Glass Handling
6 – Oil & Gas, Mining, Heavy Duty Construction, Demolition, Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication
DOWNLOAD this ANSI ABRASION RESISTANCE Chart for general guidance when selecting ANSI-rated abrasion-resistant gloves.
ANSI PUNCTURE RESISTANCE RATING
The ANSI Puncture Resistance ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Puncture resistance is important when working with sharp objects like those found in metal fabricating, recycling, and glass operations.
HOW THE ANSI PUNCTURE RESISTANCE RATING IS DETERMINED FOR GLOVES
The rating is determined using a machine that places the fabric between two plates and measures penetration break through with a blunt probe. The measurements are reported in Newtons, which are then expressed as ANSI levels.
COMMON APPLICATIONS FOR ANSI PUNCTURE RESISTANT GLOVE RATINGS
1 – Paper/Cardboard Cuts, Light Material Handling, Parts Assembly
2 – Light Construction, Material Handling, Parts Assembly, Packaging
3 – Construction, Light Metal Stamping, Light Glass Handling, Manufacturing
4 – Construction, Metal Stamping, Glass Handling, Recycling, Injection Molding
5 – Oil & Gas, Mining, Heavy Duty Construction, Demolition, Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication
DOWNLOAD this ANSI PUNCTURE RESISTANCE Chart for general guidance when selecting ANSI-rated puncture-resistant gloves.
ANSI IMPACT PROTECTION RATING
The ANSI Impact Protection ratings are 1 (lowest) to 3 (highest). This standard specifically focuses on the back of the hand by measuring the dissipating impact from the knuckles and fingers. Impact protection is created primarily through the incorporation of thermoplastic rubber (TPR) on the back of the glove. Impact protection levels are helpful in professions such as cargo handling, construction, heavy machinery use – any application with an increased probability of impact.
Here’s an example of a glove that features all four of the ANSI ratings reviewed:
All of our high-performance, cut-resistant gloves can be filtered on our website for these ANSI criteria.
If you have additional questions or need help selecting the right glove for your application and work environment, we invite you to contact us. You can also Request a Quote or Request a Sample.
Related Information
WEBSITE: ANSI.org
DOWNLOAD: ANSI Hand Protection Glove Standards
DOWNLOAD: OSHA FACT SHEET PPE
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