In heavy equipment manufacturing, oil drilling, warehousing and handling, and Construction, there are often risks of impact. construction work gloves must address impact and crushing hazards. To avoid fractures and injuries, using impact-resistant gloves can reduce these risks. This guide explains how to select suitable impact-resistant gloves and serves as a reliable reference.
How to choose the right impact-resistant gloves
Choosing based on impact resistance rating is most suitable. Before selecting gloves, it is essential to understand impact resistance standards. This provides a more comprehensive impact resistance assessment.
ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 is commonly used as the impact resistance standard in the market. It is a national standard for impact-resistant protective gloves, recognized by ANSI and published by ISEA. It fills a gap in glove impact resistance testing. It standardizes the testing of the impact resistance performance of fingers, knuckles, and the back of the fingers, effectively demonstrating the glove’s ability to withstand external impact forces.
This standard uses a drop hammer impact test, striking test areas including knuckles and finger backs. Based on the test results, gloves are classified into three levels (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3) based on their protection level, measured in kN. Higher levels indicate higher impact resistance.
ANSI/ISEA 138 Impact Resistance Level Standard Table
| Rating Standard | Transmitted Force | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Minor Impact) | Transmitted force ≤ 9 kN | Such as from dropped tools. ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 1 is an option. It features a smaller impact pad on the back of the hand while maintaining operational flexibility. |
| Level 2 (Medium Impact Protection) | Transmitted force ≤ 6.5 kN | such as from material crushing or equipment clamping. ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 is the preferred choice. It features a built-in thickened cushioning layer, balancing protection with everyday operational flexibility. |
| Level 3 (High Impact Risk) | Transmitted force ≤ 4 kN | such as from heavy machinery impacts or falling objects from underground. ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 3 is the top-of-the-line option. Its full wraparound cushioning system greatly absorbs heavy impact energy, effectively lowering the probability of hand fractures. |
Selection Based on Application and Use
I just introduced the ANSI/ISEA 138 impact resistance rating standard. Now, you might be wondering which level of gloves your job requires. Below is a breakdown to help you figure it out!
Applicable Industries & Working Scenarios for Each Impact Level
| Grade | Applicable Industries | Detailed Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Transmitted Force ≤ 9kN) | Warehousing, logistics, general machinery operation | Suitable for environments with mild impact risk, handling minor impacts from small parts and falling materials. Suitable for logistics sorting and light assembly. These gloves have small segmented TPR impact pads, which hardly affects flexibility; and they meet the demands of routine daily operations. |
| Level 2 (Transmitted Force ≤ 6.5kN) | Manufacturing, construction, and automotive repair | Work involving contact with various metal parts, handling large items in logistics, machine tool operation, and machine operation. It provides moderate impact protection, maintaining flexibility while offering more stable cushioning. |
| Level 3 (Transmitted Force ≤ 4kN) | Oil and gas, mining, and heavy machinery operation | the impact hazards in these environments are significant. It can prevent heavy objects from falling, severe impacts, and equipment collisions. It provides more comprehensive impact and shock-absorption protection for the bones in your hands. Suitable for high-intensity industrial applications. |
Note the impact resistance level markings
When purchasing M-Tide impact-resistant gloves, be sure to look for the official ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 marking. The brand permanently prints impact level pictograms and the standard number on the wrist webbing of gloves and matching hangtags, which remain clear and intact after long-term use. The marking is divided into Levels 1, 2 and 3 corresponding to different protection strengths. Gloves without this marking cannot guarantee compliant impact resistance, so you must check both markings before placing an order.
Are higher impact resistance gloves always better?
Higher impact resistance ratings are not necessarily better. They all have advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed comparison table. Don’t choose impact resistance gloves that reduce work flexibility for the sake of extra protection. You need to consider your actual needs to maximize work efficiency and ensure adequate impact protection.
Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages by Impact Resistance Grade
| Grade | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Daily Use) | Segmented TPR pads, lightweight and soft without restricting dexterity, ideal for precision work. | Only cushions light impacts from falling small items, incapable of medium or heavy impact resistance. |
| Level 2 (Medium Protection) | Shields hands from material crushing and equipment pinching with balanced flexibility. | Not suitable for high-impact scenarios such as oilfields and mining operations. |
| Level 3 (Heavy-Duty Protection) | Offers the highest impact resistance to buffer heavy collisions and falling bulky objects. | Multiple layers of TPR cushioning make gloves thick and stiff, limiting maneuverability with higher cost. |
Other Injury Risks
In practical applications, impact resistance is not an isolated risk. Other injury risks must be considered, such as cut protection, working in cold outdoor environments, and prolonged contact with oily liquids. Depending on the specific needs, selecting composite impact-resistant gloves is essential:
- Facing Sharp Tools: When handling blades, metal burrs, or broken glass, wear Kevlar cut-resistant gloves. The high-strength fibers can prevent cuts from sharp objects, effectively avoiding deep cuts and bleeding. Pay attention to the ANSI cut resistance rating when choosing gloves.
- Contact with Oily Environments: For prolonged contact with machine oil, gasoline, and acid/alkali reagents, nitrile-coated fully coated impact-resistant gloves are preferred. They prevent solvent penetration and protect against skin corrosion, allergies, and dryness.
- Winter Outdoor Cold Storage Environments: For cold storage and winter outdoor construction, choose fleece-lined gloves to lock in hand heat, prevent frostbite and stiffness, and maintain operational flexibility.
- Handling Rough Materials: For handling sand, gravel, and castings, choose thickened, abrasion-resistant gloves to reduce blisters and skin abrasions caused by prolonged friction.
- Electrical maintenance work: When repairing electrical equipment, use insulating gloves to block current conduction and prevent electric shock caused by leakage. ESD-resistant gloves should be selected.
Judgment of operating dexterity
Impact-resistant gloves need to have a good fit. Ensure dexterity of the hand. It can be flexible when facing tasks that require delicate manipulation. There are usually two types of structural design:
- Segmented TPR: TPR is covered on the back of the hand, fingers, and other positions. It can be flexed and moved freely. It effectively improves the flexibility of hand manipulation.
- Fully wrapped TPR: Provides more comprehensive coverage for the palm and back of the hand. Usually made of heavier TPR for better impact protection. However, flexibility is limited.
What are the materials of impact-resistant gloves?
Impact-absorbing materials are core to the protective performance of impact-resistant gloves, with each material delivering distinct protective effects. Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) acts as the primary shock-absorbing layer responsible for main impact defense, while rubber composites, breathable textiles and shock foam serve only as auxiliary protective components. Boasting well-rounded performance, TPR remains the most widely adopted material commercially. Read on for a breakdown of these four materials.
Thermoplastic rubber TPR:
- Introduction: a material with excellent anti-impact effect. It is also the most commonly used material for impact-resistant gloves.
- Characteristics: Very good shock absorption and high dexterity. Allows for fine manipulation.
- Applications: excellent performance also in low-temperature environments
Rubber composite material:
- Introduction: This material is mainly filled in the finger part. It can provide good protection for fingers.
- Characteristics: High flexibility. Suitable for precision operation scenarios.
Breathable fabric:
- Introduction: EVA layers serve as auxiliary protection in impact-resistant gloves to absorb and spread impact force and reduce hand injuries.
- Characteristics: They boost shock absorption and stable protection while easing pressure from heavy impacts.
Shock-Absorbing Foam:
- Introduction: This foam sits under impact pads as an extra buffer to cut instant shock on knuckles and hand backs.
- Application: It improves comfort, shock buffering and glove fit.
Common applications of impact-resistant gloves
It can also be based on different usage scenarios. Choose the right impact-resistant gloves based on your work needs:
- Construction: hAndling and removing steel bars. and the use of heavy tools and machines
- Mining and oil & gas industry: Protection from heavy falls from heights and heavy machinery. Hazards of high-intensity work
- Automotive industry: assembling and trimming the underside of automobiles.
- Logistics industry: handling of goods or objects with sharp edges
- Manufacturing industry: assembly lines, operating machinery
- Agriculture: managing large equipment and sharp tools (scythes)
Why do you need the right impact-resistant gloves?
According to Industrial Safety & Health News, the hands are the second most common site of injury in the workplace. In 2017, more than 42 percent of occupational injuries in private industry involved the hands. There were 286,150 nonfatal upper extremity occupational injuries that caused employees to miss work. Of these, 121,860 involved the hand.
Examples include the construction industry, oil, aerospace, and gas industries. These industries are often exposed to impact hazards.
- Reducing the risk of impact injuries
- Provides multiple layers of protection
- Saves money and time
- Increases grip and flexibility
- Provides work efficiency
Choosing the right size?
Choosing the right size is the only way to make the gloves fit the hand better. Provide better protection. It can also be more flexible to accomplish various tasks. Here is a hand size chart for your reference:
| European Glove Size | Hand Circumference (cm) | Hand Length (cm) | Palm Width (cm) | Middle Finger Length (cm) | US Size Equivalent | Gender Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 (Small) | 17.5 – 20.5 | 17.5 – 19.5 | 7.0 – 8.5 | 7.5 – 8.5 | XS / S | Female / Unisex |
| 8 (Medium) | 20.5 – 23.5 | 19.5 – 21.5 | 8.5 – 9.5 | 8.5 – 9.5 | S / M | Female / Male |
| 9 (Large) | 23.5 – 26.5 | 21.5 – 23.5 | 9.5 – 10.5 | 9.5 – 10.5 | M / L | Male / Unisex |
| 10 (Extra Large) | 26.5 – 29.5 | 23.5 – 25.5 | 10.5 – 11.5 | 10.5 – 11.5 | L / XL | Male |
Choose M-Tide for Impact Gloves
We have introduced impact-resistant gloves of different grades for various working scenarios above. As a professional manufacturer of impact-resistant safety gloves, M-Tide devotes itself to developing high-performance industrial protective gloves. Made of premium durable TPR cushioning materials, our products comply with international standards ANSI/ISEA 138 and EN 388, delivering comprehensive and reliable hand protection for frontline workers.
We supply a full range of Level 1, 2 and 3 impact-resistant gloves, and provide customized OEM & ODM services for liners, nitrile coatings, TPR impact pads, packaging and more. Feel free to consult our professional technical advisors for any inquiries!
