Cut-Resistant Gear: Gloves and Sleeves for Safety
A GUIDE TO
CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES AND SLEEVES
Everything you need to know about ANSI cut ratings, glove materials, and arm protection so you can match the right level of cut resistance to your task and stay OSHA compliant.
WHY CUT PROTECTION MATTERS
Lacerations are among the most common workplace hand injuries, and most are preventable with the right protection. Workers handling sheet metal, glass, blades, wire, and even corrugated boxes face cut hazards every shift, and a glove that is under-rated for the task offers a false sense of security.Cut-resistant gloves and sleeves are rated on a standardized scale (ANSI/ISEA 105) that takes the guesswork out of selection, but only if you know how to read it. This guide explains how the rating system works, what OSHA requires, the differences between glove and sleeve materials, and how to match the right protection level to your application. Benchmark has supplied safety products to warehouse, manufacturing, and industrial teams across Ohio and the Midwest since 1946.
ANSI A2 to A3 Gloves
SHEET METAL / GLASS HANDLING
ANSI A4 to A6 Gloves
SEVERE CUT HAZARDS
ANSI A7 to A9 Gloves
FOREARM PROTECTION
Cut-Resistant Sleeves
UTILITY KNIFE WORK
A2 to A4 Gloves plus Sleeves
WHAT OSHA REQUIRES FOR HAND PROTECTION
OSHA's general industry hand protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.138, requires employers to select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when hands are exposed to hazards including severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, and punctures. Under 1910.138(b), the selection must be based on an evaluation of the glove's performance characteristics relative to the tasks performed, the conditions present, the duration of use, and the hazards identified.In practice, that means three obligations for any operation with cut hazards:
ASSESS THE HAZARD
OSHA's PPE standard (29 CFR 1910.132(d)) requires a workplace hazard assessment to determine which hazards are present and which PPE is needed. For cut hazards, identify what workers actually contact: blades, sheet metal, glass, wire, or banding.
MATCH THE PROTECTION
OSHA does not assign specific cut levels; the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard fills that gap. It rates gloves and sleeves from A1 to A9 so protection can be matched to the severity of the hazard identified in your assessment.
ENFORCE AND REVIEW
Employers must require the use of the selected protection, not just make it available. Reassess whenever tasks, tools, or materials change, since a glove rated for yesterday's hazard may be under-rated for today's.
COMPLIANCE STARTS WITH THE ASSESSMENT
A glove labeled "cut resistant" with no ANSI rating gives you nothing to document. For OSHA compliance, select gear with a published ANSI/ISEA 105 rating and keep the hazard assessment that justifies the level you chose.
THE ANSI/ISEA 105 CUT RATING SYSTEM
ANSI/ISEA 105 rates cut resistance on a nine-level scale from A1 (lowest) to A9 (highest). The rating is based on a standardized laboratory test (ASTM F2992, run on a TDM-100 machine) that measures how many grams of force a straight blade needs to cut through the material. More grams means more cut resistance.The current A1 to A9 scale replaced an older 1 to 5 scale in 2016. The two scales are not directly comparable, so gloves still labeled with the old numeric levels should be re-verified against the current standard.
| ANSI LEVEL | CUT FORCE (GRAMS) | HAZARD LEVEL | TYPICAL APPLICATIONS |
| A1 | 200 - 499 | Light | General material handling with minimal cut exposure |
| A2 - A3 | 500 - 1,499 | Light to Medium | Packaging, warehousing, small parts with sharp edges, box cutting |
| A4 - A5 | 1,500 - 2,999 | Medium to Heavy | Sheet metal, light glass handling, HVAC, appliance manufacturing, automotive assembly |
| A6 - A7 | 3,000 - 4,999 | Heavy | Metal stamping and fabrication, glass manufacturing, food processing with blades |
| A8 - A9 | 5,000 - 6,000+ | Extreme | Blade changes, sharp metal recycling, heavy glass handling, pulp and paper |
Higher is not automatically better. As the rating climbs, gloves generally get thicker and stiffer, which reduces dexterity. A glove that limits hand movement on precision work creates its own risks. Match the level to the actual hazard identified in your assessment rather than defaulting to the highest number available.
CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES
Cut-resistant gloves use a knit shell made from high-strength fibers, most commonly engineered blends built around materials like Kevlar or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE), sometimes reinforced with steel or glass fiber for higher ratings. The shell provides the cut resistance; most models add a polyurethane, nitrile, or foam nitrile coating on the palm and fingertips for grip.That coating matters more than it looks. A secure grip reduces the chance of a workpiece or blade slipping in the first place, so the coating is a protection feature, not just a comfort feature. Coated cut-resistant gloves are also built to withstand repeated daily wear, so they typically need replacing less often than the general-purpose gloves used in the same environments.
Benchmark stocks cut-resistant gloves across ANSI levels A2, A3, A4, A6, and A8 in sizes from X-Small through 3X-Large, including food-industry-suitable styles and touchscreen-friendly options. If your team needs a level or style not shown online, contact us and we can source it.
BEST FOR: Any task with regular blade, edge, glass, or wire contact, from box cutting to metal fabrication
CUT-RESISTANT SLEEVES
Gloves protect the hands, but many cut injuries happen above the wrist. Cut-resistant sleeves extend protection along the forearm and are rated on the same ANSI/ISEA 105 scale as gloves. They are the right addition any time workers reach into, past, or across sharp materials: pulling parts from bins, handling glass or sheet metal, working near exposed blades, or cutting with utility knives where a slip travels up the arm.Benchmark carries sleeves in 18, 22, and 35 inch lengths, in materials including Kevlar and Dyneema, with ANSI A2 and A3 rated options. Features vary by model: thumb slots or thumb holes keep the sleeve from riding up during work, tapered fits improve comfort, and double-layered versions add protection at the highest-contact zones.
BEST FOR: Glass and sheet metal handling, reaching into parts bins, utility knife work, and any task where the forearm crosses a cut hazard
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GLOVES AND SLEEVES WORK AS A SYSTEM
A high-rated glove with a bare forearm leaves a gap right where slips land. For tasks with real cut exposure, pair the glove with a sleeve at a rating appropriate to the same hazard, and make sure the sleeve overlaps the glove cuff with no exposed skin between them.
MATERIALS AND COATINGS
The fiber determines the cut resistance; the coating determines the grip. Understanding both helps you compare products beyond the ANSI number alone.
KEVLAR
An aramid fiber known for high strength relative to its weight. Kevlar is naturally cut resistant and also handles heat well, which makes it a common choice where cut and heat hazards overlap. It is comfortable in knit form and widely used in both gloves and sleeves.
HPPE AND DYNEEMA
High-performance polyethylene fibers (Dyneema is a well-known brand) deliver high cut resistance in a thin, lightweight, cool-wearing knit. HPPE blends are the backbone of most modern cut-resistant gloves because they preserve dexterity at meaningful protection levels.
REINFORCED BLENDS
To reach the higher ANSI levels, manufacturers blend base fibers with steel or glass fiber strands. These composite yarns raise the gram score significantly, which is how A6 to A9 gloves achieve their ratings while staying wearable for a full shift.
PALM COATINGS
Polyurethane (PU) coatings are thin and precise, ideal for dry handling and fine work. Nitrile and foam nitrile coatings grip better in oily or damp conditions and add abrasion resistance. The coating does not change the ANSI cut rating, but it changes how safely the glove performs on your specific materials.
CUT RESISTANCE IS NOT PUNCTURE RESISTANCE
ANSI cut ratings measure resistance to a slicing blade, not to pointed objects like wire ends, staples, or needles. Puncture resistance is rated separately under ANSI/ISEA 105. If your hazard includes pointed objects, verify the glove's puncture rating specifically.
RELATED SAFETY PRODUCTS
Cut hazards rarely threaten hands alone. Pairing cut-resistant gear with the right complementary PPE and tools closes the remaining gaps.SAFETY GOGGLES
Cutting, grinding, and glass handling send fragments toward the eyes as well as the hands. Pair cut-resistant gloves with eye protection for any task that produces debris or shards.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Aprons and coveralls protect the torso and legs when handling large sharp materials like sheet metal or glass panels that extend beyond arm coverage.
SAFETY UTILITY KNIVES
A large share of hand lacerations come from the cutting tool itself. Self-retracting and hooked-blade knives reduce blade exposure. See our utility knives guide for how to choose.
SAFETY VESTS
High-visibility vests keep workers handling sharp materials visible on busy warehouse floors, reducing collisions that lead to dropped loads and cut injuries.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CUT PROTECTION
Use this table as a starting point, then confirm the selection against your documented hazard assessment. For our full range of hand protection beyond cut-resistant styles, see the work gloves guide.| SITUATION | RECOMMENDED PROTECTION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Picking, packing, box opening | A2 to A3 gloves | Thin and flexible; preserves dexterity for high-frequency handling |
| Daily utility knife use | A2 to A4 gloves | Pair with a self-retracting or hooked-blade knife to reduce blade exposure |
| Sheet metal or light glass handling | A4 to A6 gloves plus sleeves | Sleeves cover the forearm where slips along an edge tend to land |
| Reaching into parts bins or racks | Gloves plus A2 to A3 sleeves | Choose sleeve length so it overlaps the glove cuff with no gap |
| Metal fabrication, stamping, recycling | A6 to A8 gloves plus sleeves | Reinforced fiber blends; verify puncture rating separately if wire is involved |
| Food processing with blades | Food-industry-rated cut-resistant gloves | Confirm the specific glove is suitable for food contact before use |
| Oily or damp material handling | Cut-resistant gloves with nitrile or foam nitrile palm | Nitrile coatings hold grip in oil and moisture better than PU |
| Pointed objects (wire, staples, nails) | Gloves with a verified puncture rating | Cut ratings do not cover punctures; check the puncture rating specifically |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the questions we hear most about cut-resistant gloves and sleeves.
What do the ANSI cut levels mean?
ANSI/ISEA 105 rates cut resistance from A1 to A9 based on the grams of force a blade needs to cut through the material in a standardized test. A1 starts at 200 grams; A9 requires 6,000 grams or more. Higher levels mean more cut resistance but generally less dexterity.
Does OSHA require cut-resistant gloves?
OSHA's hand protection standard (29 CFR 1910.138) requires employers to select and require appropriate hand protection when hands are exposed to hazards such as severe cuts or lacerations, based on a hazard assessment. OSHA does not mandate specific ANSI levels; the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard is the tool used to match protection to the hazard.
Are cut-resistant gloves cut-proof?
No. Cut-resistant means the material resists cutting up to its rated force; no glove is cut-proof. Cut-resistant knits also do not stop powered blades like saws. Safe work practices and the right tools remain essential even with high-rated gloves.
When should I add sleeves to gloves?
Any time the forearm crosses or reaches past a cut hazard: pulling parts from bins, carrying glass or sheet metal against the body, or cutting tasks where a slipped blade travels up the arm. Choose a length (18, 22, or 35 inches) that overlaps the glove cuff with no exposed skin.
Can cut-resistant gloves be washed and reused?
Many knit cut-resistant gloves are launderable, which extends service life, but care requirements vary by material and coating. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions, and replace any glove with cuts, holes, worn coating, or thinning fabric regardless of age.
What is the difference between the old 1 to 5 scale and A1 to A9?
The A1 to A9 scale was introduced in the 2016 revision of ANSI/ISEA 105, along with a single standardized test method. The old numeric levels are not directly comparable to the new lettered levels, so gloves still marked with the old scale should be re-verified against the current standard.
What ANSI levels does Benchmark carry?
Benchmark stocks cut-resistant gloves in ANSI levels A2, A3, A4, A6, and A8 in sizes from X-Small through 3X-Large, plus cut-resistant sleeves in A2 and A3 rated options. If you need a level, size, or style not listed online, contact us and we can source it.
Can Benchmark help me pick the right cut protection?
Yes. Our team works with warehouses, manufacturers, and facilities across Ohio and the Midwest to match ANSI levels, coatings, and sleeve options to each application. Contact us for product recommendations and bulk quantities.
KEEP LEARNING
Explore more safety and packaging guides from Benchmark Industrial.Work Gloves Guide
Nitrile, general-purpose, leather, and insulated gloves for warehouse and industrial use.
Utility Knives Guide
Retractable knives, hooked film cutters, and safety features that reduce cut injuries.
Warehouse Safety Products
An overview of essential safety products for industrial and warehouse environments.
Eye Wash Stations Guide
When eye wash stations are required and how to select and maintain them.
Shop Benchmark's full selection of cut-resistant gloves and sleeves,
or contact us for product recommendations and bulk pricing.