ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Affects Cut Rating
Recently, the ISEA released its new ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 hand protection classification, the first change since 2005. This is good news for glove users because the new standards better equip safety managers to find the appropriate protection for the job. The changes are being made to reflect innovation and advances in yarn technologies over the last decade.
Adapted from Anne Thurman, Product Development Director at West Chester Protective Gear
So what exactly are the new standards?
The ANSI 105 standards were always about comprehensive hand protection. They include testing to determine the level of protection for:
- Cut Resistance
- Puncture Resistance
- Hypodermic Needle Puncture Resistance (new)
- Abrasion Resistance
- Chemical Permeation Resistance
- Chemical Degradation Resistance
- Ignition Resistance Heat Degradation Resistance
- Conductive Heat Resistance
- Vibration Reduction
- Dexterity
The two most significant changes to the 2016 standards are an expansion of the levels of Cut Resistance, and the addition of a new Hypodermic Needle Puncture Resistance test.
What Does This Mean To You?
- Make sure your crew is using the right gloves for the application. Concrete Contractors routinely work with materials that have sharp edges, heavy panels, chemicals, and wetness, to name a few hazards.
- Contact your nearest White Cap Specialist for help in selecting the right glove for your application.
- Happy with the gloves you are using? If so, you may need to update your existing company glove standards to ensure they meet your desired cut resistance levels in-line with the new ratings.
Changes to the Levels of Cut Resistance
The changes to cut protection testing do two things:
- First, they more accurately identify levels of cut resistance by using a 9-level scale. Previously, the highest level of cut resistance was level 5, and the cut resistance level 4 was very broad. Safety managers used to call us to ask whether a glove was "a high 4 or a low 4." The new standards now separate out category 4 into three more narrowly graduated levels. They also expand the upper limit on cut resistance.
- Cut resistance is measured by how many grams of pressure can be applied to a razor blade moving across a swatch of the fabric before cutting through 0.8 in. (20 mm) or more. The gram score tells you how many grams of pressure the glove withstood before being cut.
- Second, the changes improve the accuracy in test results by designating a single test method. All tests now require using the ASTM F2992-15 method on the Tomodynamometer (TDM-100) machine. Previously TDM or CPPT machines were accepted.
New Scale to Determine Cut Scores
The new ANSI standard now features and nine cut levels significantly reducing the gaps between each level better defining protection levels for sleeves with the cut resistant gloves and sleeves with highest gram scores.
The graph shows the differences between the old scale and the new scale. New ANSI cut scores will feature an "A" in front of the score.
A1 - Light cut hazards
A2 - Light/medium cut hazards
A3 - Light/medium cut hazards
A4 - Medium cut hazards
A5 - Medium/heavy cut hazards
A6 - High cut hazards
A7 - High cut hazards
A8 - High cut hazards
A9 - High cut hazards
Comparing the New Standards with Existing Product
You might be wondering what new cut level you will need compared with the level of protection that you are used to. The new standards enable you to make a more informed decision to ensure your employees are protected from specific cut hazards. The increased granularity within what used to be level 4 range will enable you to make distinctions that previously didn't exist.
What This Means About Your West Chester Protective Gear Gloves
West Chester Protective Gear has always been focused on safety. West Chester believes that workers deserve the right glove for the job, and these new standards will make it easier for the industry to provide the most appropriate level of protection needed. West Chester's newly developed gloves will be tested using the new testing standards from day one. You will be able to tell that the gloves have been tested using the 2016 standards because the new cut score includes the letter A in front of it.