Debunking The Myths
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the cut resistant gloves a lot of us rely on for work everyday. In this short article, I’m going to debunk some of those misconceptions to help you stay safe while using your favorite pointy tools.
They’re Not Cut-Proof
When people think about cut resistant gloves, they typically believe they prevent any and all cuts. That’s not true at all. They resist cuts, but you can still manage to cut yourself if you manage to use enough force, and worn out gloves can be less effective, too.
The purpose of anti cut gloves is to prevent minor cuts, and they can make major cuts a lot less severe than what they’d be if you didn’t wear them. Just don’t get too cocky when you have them on. A blade can still get through them.
They’re Leveled
don’t come in a single variety. Different jobs require different amounts of protection, and some of the thicker and more durable gloves can impede a worker’s ability to work.
Since different industries require gloves with different characteristics, ANSI has started grading anti cut gloves on a leveled scale in the United States.
The scale goes from A1 to A9. If a glove is rated lower on the scale, it’s more flexible, but it doesn’t resist cuts as much. The lower end of the scale is useful for cooks or other people who handle blades, but they still need to use a lot of fine finger movements.
The higher end of the scale is for more demanding jobs. They’re for people who operate table saws, industrial equipment, and other bladed instruments that can make short work of lesser gloves.
Some Washing Methods Don’t Work
There’s a lot of confusion about whether or not you can wash cut proof gloves. Some people seem to think that a washing machine can ruin the gloves’ resistances.
That’s not true. Most gloves can be washed exactly how you would a normal pair of gloves, but repeated wash cycles will eventually wear them out. So, it’s important to replace them after a while.
In the case of Kevlar or Dyneema, you can’t use bleach or very hot water for washing purposes. So, you can wash your gloves, but you should check the manufacturer’s site to make sure they don’t require any special cleaning considerations.
Leather Doesn’t Count
You might think that a simple leather glove is enough to keep a knife from slicing into your hand. If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re wrong. Leather might be thick and durable, but it still cuts very easily.
If you want to wear a pair of leather cut resistant gloves, you’ll want to buy a pair that is lined with Kevlar or another material that resists cuts.
Get Informed
Those are the four main facts that people usually don’t know about cut-resistant gloves, and they’re the ones that cause the most injuries in the workplace.
You’d be surprised by just how complex cut-resistant gloves can be. Simply grabbing a random pair and slapping them on can result in some pretty serious injuries if something goes wrong, and that’s why you should take the time learn a little more about what gloves will work and which ones won’t.