In the UAE, workplace safety is a major concern for many industries, particularly those involved in manufacturing, food processing, metal fabrication, and construction. Cuts and lacerations, which can vary from small scrapes to severe injuries needing medical attention, are among the most frequent job injuries. With stores in Sharjah and Deira Dubai, SAMS SOLUTIONS is aware of how critical it is to safeguard workers and maintain a secure workplace. For this reason, we highly recommend using premium cut-resistant gloves. Â
The Role of "EN 388 Protective Gloves against Mechanical Risks" Standard
Central to the regulation of cut resistant gloves in the United Kingdom is the EN 388 standard. This comprehensive standard lays down stringent requirements for testing and marking gloves designed for cut resistance. EN 388 mandates that cut rated gloves undergo rigorous testing to assess their performance against mechanical risks. This includes cuts, abrasions, tears, and punctures.
There were updates to the glove’s standards in 2016 and 2018. Testing procedures were changed to better simulate the real world and ensure accurate marking. It is now more properly known as the EN 388:2016+A1:2018 Protective Gloves against Mechanical Risks standard.
Understanding Cut Glove Safety Ratings
It's essential to decipher the markings on the gloves themselves when choosing the right cut resistant gloves. These specifications indicate the gloves' resistance to cuts and lacerations.
The old markings
The old numerical scale ranged from 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating greater levels of protection. For instance:
- Level 1: Provides basic protection, enduring one cutting cycle to full severance/penetration.
- Level 2: Offers moderate protection, withstanding two cutting cycles.
- Level 3: Provides substantial protection, resisting up to five cutting cycles.
- Level 4: Offers advanced protection, enduring ten cutting cycles.
- Level 5: Represents the highest level of protection, capable of withstanding 20 or more cutting cycles.
The new and much improved cut resistant glove standards
The EN 388:2016 standard introduced a significant update to the classification system for mechanical risks by introducing an additional cut scale from A to F. This expansion allowed for a more nuanced evaluation of a gloves' performance, particularly in terms of their resistance to cuts and abrasions. Here's a breakdown of the new cut rating system
- Abrasion Resistance: This parameter measures the glove's resistance to abrasion. Performance is rated on a scale from 0 to 4, where 4 indicates the highest level of resistance. The above glove is rated 4 for abrasion resistance.
- Blade Cut Resistance: Reflecting advancements in testing methodologies, this scale assesses the glove's ability to withstand cuts from sharp blades. The rating ranges from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating the highest level of protection against blade cuts. This is to the old scale, so may contain a number, or as in the example above, it could be an X to show it was not tested in the old scale.
- Tear Resistance: Evaluating the glove's resistance to tearing, this scale provides a rating from 0 to 4. The above glove is rated 4 for tear resistance.
- Puncture Resistance: This scale measures the glove's ability to resist punctures from sharp objects, with ratings ranging from 0 to 4. The above glove is rated 2 for puncture resistance.
- Cut Resistance in Accordance with ISO 13997: This scale provides an alternative method for assessing cut resistance, particularly for materials where the traditional Coupe Test may not be suitable. It rates gloves from A to F, with F indicating the highest level of cut resistance according to the ISO 13997 testing method.
SAMS SOLUTIONS: Your Trusted Safety Equipment Supplier in the UAE
At SAMS SOLUTIONS, we specialize in delivering high-quality safety solutions to businesses in the UAE. Our extensive variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes several cut-resistant gloves across various sectors.
We partner with popular international brands to guarantee that our clients receive the best quality products. Whether you are equipping a small team or the whole workforce, SAMS SOLUTIONS has PPE solutions tailored to meet your needs.
Cut-resistant gloves are an essential part of any work environment’s health and safety plan. Purchasing premium gloves not only guards your employees but also raises productivity and showcases your dedication to health and safety. With 2 showrooms in Deira Dubai and Sharjah, SAMS SOLUTIONS is your go-to for quality and high-performance cut-resistant gloves in the UAE.
Learn about our full range of safety solutions by visiting our site at www.sams-solutions.com or call on us for expert advice specific to your industry needs.