ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 is a classification standard for hand protection jointly released by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), aiming to provide a performance evaluation and classification framework for hand protection equipment (such as gloves, mittens, etc.) used in industrial and chemical applications. This standard classifies the mechanical protection, chemical protection and other performance characteristics of gloves through a series of testing methods, helping users select appropriate hand protection products based on the specific risks of the workplace.
Overview of Core content
- Protection classification
Youdaoplaceholder0 Mechanical protection : including cut resistance, puncture resistance and wear resistance. The cutting resistance is evaluated by the ASTM F2992-15 test method and is classified into grades 0 to 6 (expanded to grades 1 to 9). The higher the grade, the stronger the cutting resistance. The puncture resistance test is conducted to assess the resistance to blunt-pointed objects (such as needles) in accordance with the European standard EN 388:2003 method, and the results are expressed in Newton values.
Youdaoplaceholder0 Chemical protection : covering impermeability and degradability, evaluating the protective effect of gloves when in contact with chemicals.
Youdaoplaceholder0 Other properties : such as anti-ignition property, vibration damping function, etc. These characteristics are crucial in specific working environments.
- Update and improve
The 2016 version of the standard mainly updated the classification of cut resistance, adopted a single test method (ASTM F2992-15) to ensure rating consistency, and expanded the grade range (from grades 1-5 to grades 1-9) to more accurately reflect the differences in protection levels.
The subcutaneous needle puncture test (ASTM F2878-10) has been newly added, targeting the common sharp object injury risks in the medical, health and recycling industries.
- Application and Identification
This standard applies to all kinds of hand protection products, including gloves, partial gloves and other items covering the hands. Manufacturers are required to indicate on the label the grade (such as A1-A9) that complies with ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 and the test score, but it is not mandatory to indicate the cutting score.
When choosing gloves, users need to comprehensively consider grip strength, flexibility and multiple protection requirements. For instance, lighter gloves are more flexible but may sacrifice some protection, while coated gloves can enhance grip.
Comparison with other standards
Youdaoplaceholder0 compared with the European standard EN388 : ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 differs in the cutting test method, using ASTM F2992-15 instead of a similar method to EN388, resulting in differences in the rating system. EN388 also additionally assesses tear and impact protection, while the ANSI standard focuses more on cutting and puncture.
Importance
This standard provides employers and workers with a scientific basis to ensure that hand protective equipment can effectively resist mechanical and chemical hazards in the workplace and reduce the risk of occupational injuries such as cuts and punctures. Through standardized testing and grading, it promotes the transparency and reliability of protective products and is a key tool in the field of industrial safety.
