Understanding Cut Resistant Gloves

Cut Resistant Glovesto the hand than some other types of similar
Cut and puncture wound hazards in the workplacegloves. In addition to cut resistance, Kevlar gloves
come from handheld sharp and cutting tools,protect against thermal burn and do not melt or
including scissors, knives, razors, pruners, chisels,drip around open flame. This makes Kevlar work
and snips, etc. as well as the handling of materialsgloves a good choice in applications where both
such as metal, glass, and sharp-edged plastics ascut and heat resistance are necessary such as
is found in welding and window and vehiclewelding and manufacturing facilities such as glass
manufacture. You can use a number of methodsplants and refineries. Kevlar also finds use in
to reduce these types of hazards such as trainingautomotive manufacturing, lumber falling, law
employees to choose, store, and use toolsenforcement, veterinary or animal control
properly and ensuring maintenance and repair ofoperations, construction, steel and metal working
sharp and cutting tools. Another means ofapplications, and garment manufacturing. As noted
protecting employees is personal protectiveabove, Kevlar can deteriorate if laundered in
equipment (PPE), namely cut-resistant gloves.bleach, therefore, the manufacturer's care
The basicsinstructions should be followed when cleaning
There is really no such thing as a "cut proof"Kevlar gloves. In addition to bleach, other
glove. Work gloves can be cut resistant but, withchemicals may cause Kevlar gloves to
enough pressure, all gloves will allow adeteriorate, reducing the protection they provide.
sharp-edged object through. Also, how well theFor this reason, it is important to check the
glove performs depends on how you maintain themanufacturer's information if Kevlar work gloves
glove, and the manufacturer's recommendationswill be used in applications with chemicals. In these
for glove care need to be followed for optimuminstances, metal mesh gloves may be a more
performance. For example, Kevlar gloves are idealappropriate selection. Kevlar gloves can be
until you launder them with bleach, which breakscombined with Kevlar sleeves to provide both
down the fibers.hand and arm protection.
Work gloves, such as cotton gloves, leatherMetal mesh gloves
gloves, or Kevlar gloves will provide protectionMetal mesh gloves are generally made of
against cuts from sharp tools. Cotton gloveshigh-grade, fine stainless steel mesh. One
provide minimal protection, while Kevlar or metaldownside of metal mesh gloves is that they may
mesh gloves provide the most. Thick leatherbe able to trap soil and feed the growth of
gloves provide medium-range protection.bacteria. However, some fairly recent additions to
(However, the majority of chemical protectivethe market are metal mesh gloves that are
gloves generally provide little or no protectionconstructed so that the trapping of soil and the
from cuts or punctures.)subsequent risk of contamination is reduced. Metal
When purchasing work gloves to protect frommesh gloves are resistant to water, chemicals,
cuts, remember that in order for the glove to beand soiling. In the past, metal mesh gloves were
useful, it needs to fit properly. Gloves that areextremely "clunky." However, recent
too tight restrict movement; work gloves thatimprovements in manufacturing have improved
are too loose make gripping difficult. Anotherthe fit, weight, and comfort of metal mesh
factor in the selection of cut-resistant workgloves-gloves that are ambidextrous are available
gloves is the environment in which they will beas well as glove with adjustment that allows for
used such as high-heat applications or applicationsimproved fit and comfort. Metal mesh gloves find
with aggressive chemicals.use in meat and poultry processing, knife and
Kevlar glovesblade sharpening and cleaning, food and restaurant
Dupont Kevlar® is a man made fiber with aoperations, sheet metal work, fishing trades, and
unique combination of properties, one of which iswoodworking. Because metal readily conducts
its ability to provide protection from punctures.heat, metal mesh gloves are generally not
Kevlar is extraordinarily strong and light, makingappropriate for high-heat applications.
for work gloves that are flexible and better fitted