THE SUPERIOR BOOK OF CUT PROTECTION

Transcription

1 THE SUPERIOR BOOK OF CUT PROTECTION

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: Workplace Hand Injury: Facts and Figures 3-6 Best Practice in Reducing Hand Injuries 7-10 Engineered Composite Yarns Washing Cut-Resistant Gloves Cut-Proof Gloves and Other Misconceptions Tips for Getting to Zero Hand Injuries Is Your Current Hand Protection Program Working Choosing Cut-Resistant Sleeves Tips to Reduce Hand Injuries The Big Difference Between ANSI and EN388 Cut Test Methods Why ANSI/ISEA is the Preferred Test Method 40-41

3 Every year, roughly 30 percent of all workplace injuries involve cuts or lacerations. From scratches and abrasions to needle sticks, puncture wounds and amputations. WORKPLACE HAND INJURY: Facts Hand injuries are the second most common injury after back injuries, accounting for 12% of all non-fatal occupational injuries in 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2015, 39.1% of hand injuries were a result of cuts or lacerations. Followed distantly by all other injuries, like puncture, (13.3%) then fractures (11.2%). Data from BLS states that as a result of non-compliance, hand injuries have increased more than two-and-a-half times. Medical costs and disability claims have escalated rapidly and the cost of a single injury multiplies with each work day missed. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 70.9% of arm and hand injuries could have been prevented with personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically safety gloves. 3

4 WORKPLACE HAND INJURY: Figures According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers reported 143,900 hand injuries that led to lost workdays in This is an increase of 2% since The average hand injury causes a person to miss five days of work. However, 26,440 hand injury cases resulted in 31 or more days away from work. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand injuries accounted for nearly 1 in 10 of emergency room visits in The average hand injury claim now exceeded $6,000, with each lost time worker s compensation claim reaching nearly $7,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Safety Council. The average cost per claim in for hand, fingers and wrist injuries was $22,384 this includes missed days, hospital visit and lost time at work. Traumatic injuries, contact injuries and repetitive motion injuries are the most common types of hand injuries. Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 1 according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. 4

5 39 In 2015, 39% of hand injuries were a result of cuts or lacerations. Followed by puncture, (13.3%) then fractures (11.2%). BE GOOD TO YOUR HANDS; WEAR YOUR GLOVES.

6 Median days away from work and incidence rate due to injuries and illnesses by body part 12 Lower extremities Upper extremities Trunk Back Hand(s) 5 Finger/Fingernails 8 3 Head Days Rate Based on numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, In 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA) reported 7,636 cases of hospitalization. OF WHICH WERE DUE TO AMPUTATION. 6

7 BEST PRACTICE IN REDUCING HAND INJURIES by Joe Tavenner, CSP, CFPS It s a common joke that duct tape can fix anything. We often believe our hands can do the same. When we don t have a wrench, our hands fit the bill. Can t get into a location with a standard tool? Our hands can get into the tight spot and fix the problem. When our hands become our universal duct tape, we increase the risk of injury by losing focus. To reduce the risk of injury, take the following four steps: 1. Find the Right Gloves Find an Expert Safety gloves have been evolving quickly over the last few years. The number of options you have today far exceed those of just a few years ago. To ensure you have the best combination of protection and value, find an expert. Finding a salesperson who specializes, understands and has the knowledge to provide the best that s out there is a key component to reducing hand injuries. Try, Try, Try Have employees try the gloves that are being considered for an extended period of time. Be sure to ask for feedback along the way. Getting feedback from users involves them in the process, thereby increasing ownership. In many cases, the difference between a successful implementation and an unsuccessful one can be the amount of ownership employees feel they have. If you involve them in the decision-making process, address concerns, and utilize their feedback, a smooth transition often follows. 7

8 Say Thank You It s very easy to get caught up in day-to-day activities and forget to say thank you. When you have employees that take the time to help support the glove evaluation process, don t forget to say thank you. Small rewards like a $5 gift card for coffee can keep them feeling valued and drive participation. Stock Your Gloves Many times we put our effort into finding the right glove and forget to make it easy for users to access them. When employees can t find required gloves, their perception soon becomes negative, and a disconnect develops between management expectations and employee perceptions. Developing a successful glove-stocking program is critical to reducing hand injuries. 2. Keep Your Eye on the Hand Hand injuries occur when we take our eyes off the task. This is as simple as putting our hands into areas where we don t have a clear line of sight. To stay focused on the task, use a mental checklist should. By taking the time to think through the task beforehand, safe alternatives can be considered. This visualization technique is both tried and true. Mental Checklist Examples: Do you have all the tools needed for the job? When you don t have the tools you need, it is a common practice to substitute your hands. Think about what you need before you start the job so that your hands don t become a tool as a last resort. Can you see your hands during the task? When one hand is out of sight, it can quickly enter pinch points or other high-risk areas. This is especially true when using two hands to complete a task while focusing your attention on only one. Think about what could go wrong and plan for it. You may think this is simplistic but it happens all the time. 8

9 Are good, safe practices being used? Following your business and regulatory requirements is a cornerstone of staying safe. 3. Make It Visible No matter where you are in the world, one rule of the road is the same: a red light means stop and a green light means go. When we see these colors, we react appropriately to avoid accidents. The same methodology can be used to reinforce safe behaviors. Box-style knives are often brought up as the source of lacerations. As technology advances, new styles of box-cutting knives have been developed to offer advances safety features. While these are great solutions, you may want to consider adding a color trigger. Coloring box cutters red subconsciously reminds everyone that they are dangerous. Implement a slogan and develop a sustainable communication program to build repetition into the message. As the system matures, build on it to address new challenges. Making high-risk tasks visible can help remind employees to stay focused on the task. Consistently repeating why they have been colored and how you want at-risk employees to behave keeps the message fresh on their minds. As the program grows, it soon becomes an easy way to remind employees to stay safe. 4. Use End-User Leading Indicators When focusing on hand injuries, one of the best ways to help drive improvements is to develop leading indicators to measure them. Leading indicators may include looking at how many employees are wearing the proper hand protection. This information is valuable, but it means 9

10 more to the management than to the employees who are most at risk. If employees don t have a connection to the numbers, they won t take ownership of the problem or adhere to the solutions. Consider bridging the gap by generating end-user leading indicators. When you develop metrics that have meaning to end users, it is very easy for them to get involved and drive safe behaviors. An example of an end-user leading indicator is how many box-knife red lights were found during housekeeping inspections. As mentioned in step 3, the issue (box-cutting knives) were identified red, a slogan was developed to communicate expectations and now a leading indicator can be measured called red lights. By using an end-user leading indicator, you close the loop in the implementation process by generating data that is easily understood and supported by all employees. Conclusion None of the approaches outlined in this article are meant to replace regulatory obligations or good, standard-operating procedures. However, supplementing your existing programs with solid approaches can help reduce hand injuries. Consider further developing these concepts to fit your organization s needs. Joe Tavenner CSP, CFPS has years of experience, a bachelors and Master s degree in Occupational Safety Management and an MBA in Management. For more information contact him at josephtavenner@yahoo.com. 10

11 ENGINEERED (COMPOSITE) YARNS by John Simmons of World Fibers 11

12 Engineered yarns are made using two or more components (i.e., Kevlar and steel). Adding a second component like steel or fiberglass creates a stronger glove than just a high-strength fiber like Kevlar, Dyneema or TenActiv alone. These yarns allowed glove manufacturers to make gloves with high levels of cut resistance without sacrificing comfort or dexterity. Gloves made from engineered yarns are used in applications needing higher levels of cut resistance (ANSI level A4 or higher). These industries include: pulp and paper, butchery and metal stamping. As Superior Glove President Tony Geng explains, adding steel to a high performance yarn is like reinforcing concrete with steel rebar. It s making something that s already strong even stronger. These gloves can offer twenty times the cut resistance of comparable-weight leather gloves. Cut Resistance in Knitted Gloves is Influenced by Four Factors: 1. Strength: Examples of high-strength yarns would be TenActiv or Kevlar. 2. Hardness (Dulling): An example of hard yarn would be stainless steel, one of the most popular options in engineered yarns. 3. Lubricity (slickness): Slippery yarns like TenActiv allows a blade to slide over their surface without cutting through. 4. Rolling Action (Knit Construction): Most knit gloves allow the different yarns to roll as a sharp edge slides over them. This creates a ball bearing effect meaning the sharp edge slides across without cutting through the material. 12

13 As a general rule: The more of these factors that can be engineered into a yarn, the more cut resistant it will be. For example, a glove made up of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) like TenActiv and stainless steel will have the following characteristics: The TenActiv yarn has strength and slickness. The stainless steel has hardness and when knit into the TenActiv, the glove has a rolling action. The characteristics of these two components together results in a material that s more cut resistant than either material would be on its own. Advanced Composite Yarn High strength synthetic yarn for lubrication and rolling action Kevlar fiber for strength Stainless steel for hardness Engineered yarns are typically used in applications requiring higher levels of cut resistance (ANSI Level A3 or higher), such as sharp or heavy sheet-metal handling, glass handling, or meat processing where sharp blades are used. 13

14 WASHING CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES: THE DOS AND DON TS OF GLOVE MAINTENANCE 14

15 The easiest and cheapest way to keep your glove costs down is to wash and clean them to extend their useful lifespan, plain and simple. But there are certain precautions to take when washing string-knit work gloves. Here are the dos and don ts of string-knit glove maintenance. How to Wash Kevlar Gloves Kevlar is strong and durable and won t shrink as much as other materials when it comes to laundering. DO: Use soap and water: Commercial laundry soap or detergent and hot water (170 F/75 C) and tumble dry low. Dry clean: Your preferred dry cleaner will be able to help. DON T: Use bleach or other strong acids, bases, or oxidizers: Bleach will destroy the strength of the Kevlar fibers and they will fall apart. How to Wash Dyneema Gloves Dyneema is the brand name for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene, which is also manufactured by Superior Glove under the names TenActiv and Superior Touch. The advice below applies for all UHMWPE fibers. 15

16 DO: Use soap and water: Cold water is recommended (104 F/40 C or less). Dry Clean: Your preferred dry cleaner will be able to help. Use Bleach: HPPE is preferred in the food industry because, unlike Kevlar, it can be bleached. DON T: Use hot water: The temperature of the water should be around 104 F/40 C or less. Tumble dry with heat: Whether it s in the washer or dryer, HPPE does not have good stability with temperatures over 291 F/144 C. Effect of Laundering and Dry Cleaning on Glove Performance: Kevlar Laundering and dry cleaning have no significant impact on the cut resistance of gloves made of 100% DuPont Kevlar, even after 10 consecutive cleaning cycles. A typical glove is expected to undergo less than ten cleaning cycles due to normal wear and tear. Shrinkage, weight loss, changes in yarn tensile strength and changes in color related to staining from soil or the cleaning method may be observed. Although the strength of Kevlar yarns used in protective apparel, e.g. gloves, gradually decreases with successive cleaning cycles, the cut resistance is not impacted. The most important thing to remember is that Kevlar will break down completely when exposed to bleach. TenActiv Thanks to its chemical structure, TenActiv is inert to most kind of aggressive agents used in industrial laundering and environmental influences such as UV. This enables you to wash TenActiv under the harshest conditions, such as dry cleaning and bleaching without affecting the specific properties of TenActiv. Standard chemicals, typically used in industrial laundering such as detergents, ammonium, sodium hydroxides, hydrochloric acid, etc., do not affect the performances of the TenActiv fiber. 16

17 CUT-PROOF GLOVES AND OTHER MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CUT RESISTANCE by Joe Geng, Vice-President, Superior Glove Works Ltd. 17

18 You already know that 70 percent of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves and that the other 30 percent were wearing the wrong type of glove. But according to our sales team, cut-resistant gloves seem to be one of the most confusing topics for our end-users. So we re dedicating a section of this e-book to focusing on misconceptions about cut-resistant gloves to clear up any uncertainty. What are Cut-Proof Gloves? Cut-proof gloves are the unicorns of the safety world no, not magical and wonderful. I mean entirely mythical. There is no such thing as a cut-proof glove. If there was we would only manufacture and sell one glove and it would be called the Perfect Glove 3000 and this job would be pretty boring. What we manufacture is a cut-resistant glove and there are different levels of cut resistance based on the hazards the worker is facing. Even though cut-proof gloves don t exist, gloves designed to be cut-resistant are sometimes misinterpreted as being cut proof. This gives workers a false sense of security. They become overly confident which can endanger them by performing tasks they wouldn t otherwise be performed. They re called cut-resistant gloves because realistically cuts can still occur. But by wearing a cut-resistant glove, a cut that required stitches becomes a cut that needs a band-aid. So we know cut-proof gloves don t exist but what about performing a field test to see how cut-resistant a glove really is? 18

19 Makeshift Cut Test Methods: These field tests might be taking a pair of scissors or a table saw or a machete to a glove our sales team has heard it all and being dissatisfied that the glove didn t hold up. But it s not surprising. Cut-resistant gloves are not designed to stop a pair of scissors (or those other test tools). They are tested and rated based on the standards set by American National Standards Institute s (ANSI) ASTM F2992 cut test. The science behind the ANSI s test method is to measure the cut resistance of a material against a razor blade under a specified load on a TDM-100 machine. The test accounts for measuring errors by using a new blade each time the test is run since a dull blade would need more force to cut through the material. The problem we find with performing a cut-resistance test in the field is that they are not realistic. A pair of scissors will most certainly cut through a glove, even the Perfect Glove 3000 cutproof gloves. But how often does the cut hazard a worker is facing come from a pair of scissors cutting through their pinky finger? Leather Gloves are Cut Resistant: The number-one misconception our company runs into is the notion that leather is cut resistant. The fact is, leather has even lower cut resistance than cotton. In other words, if you re handling sheet metal, and you have a choice between your average leather glove and a dish towel wrapped around your hands, you should go with the dish towel. That might be an exaggeration, but you get the point. To look at it another way, the main reason you need cut-resistant gloves is because your skin cuts very easily. And, since leather is just the skin of an animal, it cuts just about as easily. 19

20 The Highest Rating = The Best Rating: So cut-proof gloves don t exist but surely the glove that has the highest cut resistance must be the best glove, right? WRONG! This probably seems pretty basic but it s worth repeating: The best rated glove is the one that protects against the hazards you face. A worker who uses a box cutter once a day won t need the same protection as someone who works in metal stamping eight hours a day. Using a glove designed for heavy-duty cut protection for a light-duty application has a snowballing effect: if a worker has less dexterity in the glove, they won t be able to do their job right. If they can t do their job right, they won t wear the glove and then compliance takes a hit. Then the risk of hand injury skyrockets! Cut-Resistant Gloves are too Expensive: We encounter this objection all the time. But if you do the math, the claim doesn t hold up. Given the wages paid and the sheer productivity involved, it s worthwhile to consider the following: On average, automotive workers earn $33.90 per hour Hand injuries are the second leading cause of work-related injury and the most preventable The average reported hand injury results in 6.1 days off work The average cotton glove costs $0.69 a pair The average leather glove costs $2.25 a pair The average Kevlar glove costs $5.50 a pair We monitored a 10-week trial at a manufacturing plant. Money spent on Kevlar gloves totaled $2,186, while the combined cost for cotton and leather gloves was $2,904. Also, no hand injuries occurred when workers wore the Kevlar gloves. Despite the higher price, gloves made with Kevlar saved 25% in total costs. Kevlar gloves last twice as long as cotton, and three times as long as leather. 20

21 Strength = Cut Resistance: The manufacturers of Kevlar and Dyneema like to state how strong their fibers are compared to steel on an equal-weight basis. But those numbers don t matter when it comes to cut resistance. Truth is, Kevlar and Dyneema are pretty much equally cut resistant. When you re making the choice between the two fibers look at secondary issues. Is there heat involved? Choose Kevlar. Is abrasion a concern? Then Dyneema is the best bet. Avoid Fiberglass: Just hearing that a glove contains fiberglass gives a lot of people itchy fingers. But chances are that you ve worn gloves with a fiberglass core and didn t even know it. Common alternative names include: silica-infused fiber, composite filament fiber and glass wool (which sounds a lot worse to me than fiberglass). Fiberglass won t exist in a glove on its own. Most commonly, this yarn is combined with other types of high performance yarns like Kevlar or TenActiv. It s wrapped or twisted with these yarns, then wrapped with nylon or cotton to improve the glove s comfort. The wrapping and twisting process is vital. If improperly performed, bits of fiberglass will stick out and irritate the skin. But if it s correctly done, the fiber will go unnoticed. Fiberglass also dulls blades, is great for thermal properties and it s cost effective. 21

22 6 Tips for Getting to Zero Hand Injuries The goal for any safety organization is to get that magical number zero. Nobody wants injured workers. Getting down to zero injuries can seem like a daunting task; here are some tips that you can use on the job to reduce the risk of your workers getting hand injuries. 1. Analyze Hand Safety Data, Look for Trending Take a look at your overall safety data where hand injuries are concerned. This data can provide clues as to what the major causes of your hand injuries are. Do not just look at the data on incident reports. Consider implementing a near miss reporting plan to help predict where injuries might occur in the future. You will also want to look back at previous accidents for ways that might prevent them from happening again. 2. Engage in Job-Hazard Analysis or Assessments Before any job is started, sit down with your safety engineers and have them look over your work plan. A detailed work plan should include what the workers are going to be doing, what tools and equipment they are going to be using and in what environment the work is to be performed. Using all of this information, try to spot where in the job task are potential areas for hand injuries. This can expose any potential risks to workers during the job and allow you to come up with plans to mitigate that risk. 22

23 3. Make Sure the Right Hand Protection is Selected for the Job Based on your job-hazard analysis, pick the type of hand protection that will best fit the work. Make sure that the protection will handle all of the job hazards. If one type of glove will not cover all situations, then multiple types of hand protection might be needed in order to provide a safe environment for that task. 4. Training We cannot say enough how important training is on the work site. Once the risks have been identified and proper hand protection selected, walk through the job tasks with the employees doing the job. Make sure that they understand the hazards for the job they are performing. Also work with them to understand the types of injuries that might occur and how to spot and treat them immediately. Finally, train them on proper usage of the gloves they are using. Make sure they know the limitations of their hand protection and how not to exceed it. 23

24 5. Audits and Compliance Make sure that your workers are aware of the importance of the gloves they have been issued and how important it is that they wear them. Conduct periodic audits of your work sites to ensure that compliance with the safety policy is being followed. This will help identify and eliminate any issue that might crop up with workers not following safety policy, and it will address problems before injuries occur. 6. Feedback from Management and Labor Make sure to open your safety organization up for feedback. Be open to discussing major issues with chosen gloves or newly identified hazards that may have been missed in analysis. There is always risk involved on job sites, however proper protection and planning can help reduce that risk. Having an evolving safety process to cover not only current issues but address future ones before they come up can help you achieve that magic zero in your injury reports. Think you could benefit from a little support? Ask about our free Advocate Program. 24

25 IS YOUR CURRENT HAND PROTECTION PROGRAM WORKING? By Tony Geng, President, Superior Glove Works Ltd If this caught your eye, there s a good chance your hand protection program is due for some updating. If you re noticing lack of improvements or increases in the number of injuries or lost work hours, then it s a definite yes. If this is the case, either the hand protection provided to your workers is inadequate, or they aren t wearing the gloves you ve selected. Determine the Current Glove s Cut Protection: A good glove manufacturer will be able to test your current hand protection to give you the cut-protection measurement in grams. We ve found from experience that it is also a good idea to measure abrasion resistance, as this greatly affects how well the gloves will protect your employees over the long haul. This will provide you with a benchmark for improvement. Select a Few Styles for Trial: Select two to five glove styles for your initial trial. Keep the trial small or else it gets too confusing to effectively track. Look at the cut-protection numbers for each style (provided in grams) as well as the abrasion resistance. If your current hand protection is not up to snuff, choose gloves that have higher cut/abrasion test results. Select one glove with 15 percent higher cut resistance and one with 30 percent higher abrasion resistance. This will help isolate the issue and prevent you from spending big bucks on a super cut-resistant glove, when more abrasion resistant is what s needed -- and vice-versa. 25

26 Choose a Variety: Your application will determine the type of glove you choose. Whenever possible, choose a range of gloves -- dotted, leather palm, palm-coated, regular string knit, etc. to determine which style works best in your application. Hand protection decisions are made based on tradition too often. Like continuing to used leather gloves when more comfortable, better protecting gloves are available. It s important not to fall into the tradition trap. Speak with your safety distributor and glove manufacturer about what s new. Don t Underestimate Fit: Now that you ve done your numerical glove homework, it s important to remember the soft analysis. Without question, the single-most important factors in a successful glove program are the comfort and fit of the gloves chosen. Endless safety talks, rewards, punishments, etc. will not succeed in getting a worker to wear a bulky glove when he is trying to pick up a small bolt or handle a small tool. If you choose a glove that is comfortable, conforms to the hand, and when wearing would allow you to tie your shoes or dial your cell phone, you will have contributed the single most important factor to your glove program. Several years ago, cut resistance meant wearing a clown-sized leather or cotton glove, but advancements in yarn science and glove manufacturing have allowed the words cut resistance and comfortable to exist in the same sentence. Run Some In-House Trials: Now, it s time for the rubber to meet the road. Get your glove manufacturer and safety distributor involved in your trial, as well as your people 25 on the floor. Select a small area or line that best represents your entire facility. Make sure the gloves are easily identifiable; a good manufacturer will trim the trial gloves in different colored cuffs at the base of the cuff to make them easy to distinguish from the current gloves being used. This is especially important in dirty 26

27 applications. Explain to your crew the reason for conducting the test and get their feedback. Provide a separate, preferably brightly colored bin for the trial gloves to go in, being certain to include the current glove in the trial as a control (This is critical to determine if the gloves you are testing are actually any better than your current glove.) Ask your workers to wear each of the gloves for a defined period of time, such as one quarter of a shift. Provide a sheet for making notes, such as red-cuff glove wore though after only thirty minutes. I also recommend trying a couple of different crews/shifts in order to arrive at an average that best represents your company as a whole. Inspect and Record: After employees have tested the gloves during the first trial shift, inspect and make notes of each style. *It is a good idea to note how many within each style of trial gloves have holes, and where they are forming. In this way, you can calculate a batting average for each style. For example: At the start, if you chose to test twelve pairs of the first style of glove selected, and after the first shift, three of those twelve pairs developed holes, you would record that glove number one had a round-one scrap rate of twenty-five percent. Get employee feedback after each trial shift, and record it. If your gloves are being laundered, send the gloves to your launderer with special instructions so the trial gloves don t get mixed with your regular gloves. For a simple glove-trial chart, me at joe@superiorglove.com. Ask the launderer specific questions related to your objectives, such as, Do the gloves shrink? Repeat: Continue steps five and six until you feel you have a good indication of which glove is best for your application. 27

28 CHOOSING CUT-RESISTANT SLEEVES by Robert Gheesling, Territory Manager, Superior Glove

29 Check these off, and you re good to go! 1. Make Sure They Fit! The biggest problem with sleeves is they generally don t fit very well. They tend to slide down the arm and end up only protecting a small area of the arm, resulting in an ineffective protective sleeve. This causes discomfort and annoyance for your employees (just imagine having to pull up your sleeves three or four dozen times a day it would be way too tiring). TAPERED TUBULAR/STOCKINETTE That s why today s sleeves come in a tapered option with different widths to fit different arms. If you current supplier tells you one size fits all, then run the other way. That was true several years ago, but it isn t the case today. Your sleeves should fit every employee, securely and comfortably, period. 2. Don t Let Em Slip We all need closure! (Bicep closure, that is). To help keep your sleeves securely in place, it helps to choose a sleeve that has either an elastic, metal clip, Velcro or some other way to secure the sleeves to keep them from falling down and bunching at the wrist. Many Superior sleeves come with STAYz-UP elastic, which is both comfortable and effective. 29

30 3. Does it need to be Flame Resistant? The quick answer is if you have an application that has heavy sparks (like some automotive weld applications) or flame hazards (like in oil and gas refineries), you should choose a flame-resistant sleeve such as aramid (Kevlar ) or other flame-resistant fabric, like Protex ). That said, non-fr materials can withstand more sparks than most people give them credit for. 4. Choose the Proper Cut Level There are two schools of thought on this question: 1. Choose the same cut level as the glove their employees are currently wearing to be on the safe side. 2. Choose a sleeve, one or two levels lower because the arms are at less of a risk than the hands. This is a judgement call. There is no one right answer, you have to look at your process to decide. The good news is that ANSI cut-level A4 sleeves are much more comfortable and affordable than they were a few years ago. 5. Make Sure They re Comfortable This is critical. If your sleeves are uncomfortable, they will not be worn. You will be fighting a losing battle with your employees and compliance will suffer. This is especially true in hotter weather. Some sleeves can feel like wearing a wool sweater in July. Our most comfortable sleeves are TenActiv (very cool feel in hot weather) and Cutban. 6. Will the Sleeves Shrink Over Time? Make sure your sleeves continue to provide the protection needed after laundering. We knit our sleeves 1-2 inches longer than spec, so they will shrink to size after the first wash. Make sure that if you are paying for an 18-inch sleeve, you get an 18-inch sleeve. 30

31 GUIDE TO NEW ANSI AND EN388 CUT LEVELS WHICH ANSI LEVEL DO I CHOOSE? * FOR THE U.S ANSI is essentially the only rating considered. A grams to cut Light cut hazards A grams to cut Medium cut hazards A grams to cut High cut hazards A grams to cut Light/medium cut hazards A grams to cut Medium/heavy cut hazards A grams to cut High cut hazards A grams to cut Light/medium cut hazards A grams to cut High cut hazards A grams to cut High cut hazards 31

32 5 TIPS TO REDUCE HAND INJURIES Hand injuries are the #1 preventable workplace injury. We ve boiled down over a 100 years of experience into 5 steps to help you reduce the hand injuries on your team. 1. Get Employees Involved Are you having a hard time getting workers involved in your efforts to reduce hand injuries? Research shows that when management simply told workers what changes should be made without involving them, workers tended to adhere to the standards of the group and resisted management s decisions. This leads to a more volatile work arrangement and creates a frustrated workforce. When mutual participation with management led to group decision-making, workers seemed to accept change more readily it became a part of their decision-making efforts. From this standpoint, management was not viewed as a dictator, and production improved significantly. 2. Employ Trained Safety Personnel Construction companies that have full-time first aid trained personnel among their staff have fewer injuries and illnesses than those who do not. Laborers who received safety and health training were 12% less likely than non-trained laborers to file for workers compensation. Among workers 16 to 24 years old, training was associated with a 42% reduction in injury claims. 3. Make Sure Gloves Fit 70% of hand injuries happen when workers aren t wearing gloves. As much as possible, choose gloves that have a wide range of sizes (XS to XL) and are form fitting. Test to see if you can pick up a dime while wearing your gloves a good fitting glove improves your dexterity. 32

33 4. Cut-Resistant Gloves 30% of hand injuries in the workplace are cuts. Whenever possible use a cut-resistant glove to help reduce the risk of cut injuries. 5. The Hierarchy of Safety Controls Elimination: Avoiding the hazard or risk before it occurs Substitution: Upgrading outdated equipment Engineering Controls: Re-engineering older equipment Administrative Controls: Revising training and policies Personal Protective Equipment: The last line of defense 33

34 THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANSI AND EN388 CUT TEST METHODS To figure out how cut resistant a material is, it needs to be tested against a blade. The tricky part is that North America (ANSI/ISEA105) and Europe (EN388) have two different test methods. Both of those test methods were updated in The most notable change was increasing the levels of cut resistance to spread out the range of grams to cut. Factors That Influence Cut Resistance When selecting cut-resistant gloves, ask yourself the following questions Is this a high performance material? (Opt for Kevlar or Dyneema over cotton or leather). What is the base weight of the glove material? (Select gloves with a higher base weight). Is the glove coated? (i.e. polyurethane, PVC, latex, micropore nitrile) The coating will provide a small amount of additional cut resistance. What is the cut level of the gloves? Is it an ANSI or CE rating? Are the gloves abrasion resistant? This indicates potential performance in applications. Overall Glove construction: String knit vs. loop-out terry Coatings/dots/leather palms Zonal reinforcements Sizing and fit 34

35 Cut Test Methods and Performance Standards In 2016, changes were made the ANSI and CE cut test methods. The changes were made because: Glove performance in the cut-resistant market has improved in recent years as new yarns and new technologies have been developed. The current level 4 range ( grams) needed to be more evenly spread out. The goal of moving to a single machine (TDM-100) is to reduce the complexity and improve the reliability of the test method ANSI/ISEA This is the North America standard for measuring cut-resistant materials. It uses a Tomodynamometer Machine (TDM-100) and the test is based on the ASTM F standard. The goal of this test is to measure how much force is needed to cut through a fabric in the following steps: 1. The glove sample is placed on a conductive strip and loaded onto the TDM-100. When the metal blade touches the metal strip, the test is terminated. 2. A straight blade is loaded into the machine. 3. Weight is added to serve as force. 4. The blade moves across the fabric. 5. The blade is replaced with a new one to ensure accuracy. 6. The sample is cut five times, each with three different load. 7. The distance traveled to cause cut through at various forces is recorded. 8. The data is used to determine the load required to cut through the sample. 35

36 EN 388 (Coup Test): When the cut levels were updated in February, the TDM-100 became the recommended testing machine for cut-resistant materials. But here s the catch: For a product to be legally sold in the EU, it needs to have the CE certified marking (pictured below). And the only test machine accepted for CE certification? The Coup Test. The steps for the Coup Test are: 1. A test sample is taken from the palm of a glove. 2. A rotating circular blade moves back and forth across the test sample until a cut-through is achieved. 3. The test sample is compared to a reference material (usually cloth). 4. The reference material and the test sample are cut alternately until at least five results are achieved. 5. To help account for a loss is sharpness to the blade, the reference material is cut before and after the test sample. 6. The cut resistance is a ratio of the number of cycles needed to cut through the test sample compared with the reference material. 36

37 EN388 Cut Test Updates A common complaint about the Coup Test was that the blade would dull during the test, especially over highly-engineered yarns that feature steel or glass strands. The Coup Test has been revised to limit the number of passes the blade can make over the test fabric to 60. Whether cut through has occurred or not. The rest of test will remain the same. If the Coup Test blade makes 60 passes over the fabric, it is then mandatory to test the glove under the ISO cut resistance method to assess the glove s performance. To avoid confusion on the markings, the glove s score using the ISO will appear as a letter between A and F and the Coup Test will use a letter between 1 and 5. 37

38 What is the ISO Test Method? The goal of this test is to measure the load applied to a blade that is required to achieve a cut-through in a known distance on a test fabric. This test is similar to the ANSI/ISEA 105 test. 1. The glove sample is placed on a conductive strip and loaded onto the TDM A straight blade is loaded into the machine 3. Weight is added to serve as force 4. The blade moves across the fabric 5. The blade is replaced with a new one to ensure accuracy 6. The sample is cut five times, each with three different loads 7. The distance traveled to cause cut through at various forces is recorded 8. The data is used to determine the load in Newtons required to cut through the sample WHICH EN 388 LEVEL SHOULD I CHOOSE? For gloves tested using the TDM-100 machine. A 2 newtons = 203 grams to cut Light material handling, small parts assembly without sharp edges B 5 newtons = 509 grams to cut Packaging, warehouse, light duty general purpose C 10 newtons = 1019 grams to cut Light duty metal handling, metal stamping, HVAC, light duty glass handling, plastics, material handling D 15 newtons = 1529 grams to cut Light duty metal handling, appliance manufacturing, bottle and light glass handling, canning, dry walling, electrical, carpet installation, HVAC E 22 newtons = 2243 grams to cut Metal stamping, sheet metal handling, glass handling, automotive assembly F 30 newtons = 3059 grams to cut Heavy duty metal stamping, metal recycling, food processing, pulp and paper 38

39 The reduction in risk for an acute traumatic hand injury while wearing the right work gloves. ASK US HOW.

40 40 WHY ANSI/ISEA IS THE PREFERRED TEST METHOD

41 It s easy to see why the ANSI/ISEA is now considered the preferred cut test method: It is straightforward there s no comparing the cut-resistant material to a test cloth. It accounts for variables the blade is replaced after each cut is made. It s suitable for all types of gloves dulling of the blade means the Coup Test is not suitable for gloves containing steel wire. The most important thing to remember is that these two tests are not equivalent. A glove that held up for 3059 grams to cut on the EN388 scale, can t be considered an ANSI Cut Level A6 (3000 to 3999 grams to cut). A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 DOES NOT EQUAL

42 42 NOTES

43 References:

44 Kevlar is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Dyneema is a registered trademark of Royal DSM Group N.V.