Hand Protection Cut Resistance Standards Primer From Majestic Glove

Hand injuries are among the most common work-related injuries – with nearly one-third involving cuts or lacerations. For safety managers tasked with choosing the best cut resistant hand protection for workers, two testing and classification standards exist: the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard and the EN 388 or CE standard. 

ASTM / ANSI Cut Protection Standards

The ANSI/ISEA ASTM F2992-15 cut test requires the use of the TDM 100 Cut Test machine, which measures the weight needed to cut through a distance of 20 millimeters with a straight blade – with cut test results reported in grams and represented in 9 levels, ranging from A1 to A9.

1. ANSI CUT A1 - Light Cut Resistance: 200-499 Grams
1. General purpose, construction, material handling, parts assembly and manufacturing, packaging, warehouse & logistics, forestry, sharp edges
2. ANSI CUT A2 - A3 - Light to Medium Cut Resistance: 500-1499 Grams
1. Automotive assembly, pulp & paper, general purpose, construction, material handling, parts assembly and manufacturing, packaging, warehouse & logistics, forestry, sharp edges
3. ANSI CUT A4 - Medium Cut Resistance: 1500-2199 Grams
1. Appliance manufacturing & assembly, glass handling, electrical, food preparation & processing, canning, dry wall, construction, carpet installation, sheet metal, automotive assembly, aerospace manufacturing, pulp & paper, metal handling & fabrication, packaging, warehouse & logistics, marine manufacturing, railroad & mining
4. ANSI CUT A5 - Medium to Heavy Cut Resistance: 2200-2999 Grams
1. Appliance manufacturing & assembly, glass handling, electrical, food preparation & processing, canning, dry wall, construction, carpet installation, raw metal sheet handling, automotive assembly, aerospace manufacturing, pulp & paper, metal handling & fabrication, packaging, warehouse & logistics, marine manufacturing, railroad & mining
5. ANSI CUT A6 – A7 - Heavy Cut Resistance: 3000-4999 Grams
1. Machining and assembly, metal fabrication/stamping/recycling, blade handling, fine & sharp metal parts cutting & handling, automotive assembly, food preparation & processing, construction, glass & window manufacturing, sorting recycling, raw metal sheet handling, aerospace manufacturing, pulp & paper, marine manufacturing, railroad & mining
6. ANSI CUT A8 – A9 - Extreme Cut Resistance: 5000-6000+ Grams
1. Machining and assembly, metal fabrication/stamping/recycling, blade handling, fine & sharp metal parts cutting & handling, automotive assembly, food preparation & processing, construction, glass & window manufacturing, sorting recycling, raw metal sheet handling, aerospace manufacturing, pulp & paper, marine manufacturing, railroad & mining

EN 388/CE Cut Protection Standards

The EN 388 or CE standard uses the Coup Cut Test but includes an additional cut test – the ISO 13997 with a TDM 100 Cut test machine to accommodate limitations caused by the Coup Cut Test. This test measures cut resistance at a distance of 20 millimeters with a straight blade – reporting the test results in newtons. This standard adds an additional cut rating to its existing standard, with 6 levels ranging from A to F.

The Majestic Standard

Majestic Glove observes all three standards in cut resistance and customarily reports cut levels determined by ASTM 105-2016 and EN 388:2016.

Quality is no accident at Majestic Glove. As we continue to develop new technologies in cut resistant materials and evaluate innovative manufacturing processes, we intensify the standard in cut protection by first testing materials in our own unsurpassed laboratory, then through other certified laboratories throughout the world. Reliability in safety. It’s what we do. 

Setting the Standard in Cut Resistance

Hand injuries are among the most common work-related injuries. Keeping workers safe from cuts and abrasions demands the right kind of hand protection for the right job. Majestic’s lines offer one of the industry’s widest range of cut resistant gloves. With advanced engineered material combined with exceptional grip coatings, you’re sure to find the hand protection you need to perform at the highest level.

1. Cut-Less Watchdog® with KorPlex™ Technology
1. Majestic’s exclusive KorPlex™ Technology is an engineered yarn that blends some of the strongest known fibers to produce ultimate cut resistance. Its properties offer tactility and flexibility while maintaining exceptional cut resistance and extreme comfort.
2. Cut-Less with Dyneema® & Cut-Less with Dyneema® Diamond™
1. Dyneema® and Dyneema® Diamond Technology offers the leading combination of cut protection, comfort and durability. At pound-for-pound fifteen times stronger than steel, Dyneema® is the world’s strongest fiber. By radiating heat away from hands, Dyneema® keeps hands cool, providing all day comfort.
3. Cut-Less with DuPont™ Kevlar®
1. DuPont™ Kevlar® patented technology makes lightweight, high performing fiber. Kevlar® engineered yarns provide tremendous levels of cut, heat and durability protection because Kevlar® fiber is not only incredibly cut-resistant but inherently flame-resistant so it won’t burn, support combustion, or melt—making it a smart choice for those who encounter both cut and heat on the job.
4. Cut-Less Annihilator
1. Majestic’s Cut-Less Annihilator fiber combines high performance cut resistant materials with tough fibers to provide excellent cut protection.
5. PowerCut® with Alycore™
1. Majestic PowerCut® gloves made with patented Alycore™ offers cut, puncture and needle resistance like no other product has before. Composed mostly of super-thin threads of iron and carbon, Alycore™ is lightweight, flexible, breathable, recyclable, and washable while providing ultimate protection.