What do ANSI/ISEA 138 impact levels mean?

Short answer: ANSI/ISEA 138 rates how well a glove's back-of-hand and finger armor absorbs impact, on a 1-3 scale based on the force transmitted through to the hand. Level 1 transmits the most force (least protection) and Level 3 transmits the least (most protection). It is a separate rating from cut resistance, so an impact-resistant glove still needs its own cut level for blade hazards.

ANSI impact gloves explained: decoding the ISEA 138 levels 1, 2, and 3 (2026)

Struck-by and pinch injuries to the back of the hand are among the most common — and most preventable — hand injuries in oil and gas, construction, and demolition. Until ANSI/ISEA 138-2019, there was no U.S. standard to rate the molded TPR (thermoplastic rubber) armor on the back of an impact-resistant glove, so "impact" claims were unverifiable marketing. Now the rating is standardized. This guide is written for safety managers and crews who need to specify impact protection objectively, and it explains how the test works, what the three levels mean, and how impact rating interacts with the separate cut and EN 388 scales. OSHA's hand-protection rule, 29 CFR 1910.138, requires gloves matched to the hazard, and for struck-by work that means a verified impact level.

Why this matters.
The back of the hand has little natural padding, and a pinch against a pipe or a struck knuckle can fracture metacarpals and end-of-finger bones, causing long lost-time injuries. Before ANSI/ISEA 138, buyers could not compare impact gloves objectively; an unrated "impact" glove might transmit nearly all the force. Specifying a verified level under ANSI/ISEA 138 is how OSHA 1910.138 hazard-matching becomes auditable.

Part 1 — How ANSI/ISEA 138 tests impact

The test drops a striker to deliver a measured impact energy onto specific points — the knuckles and each finger's back — and records how much force is transmitted through the glove's armor to a sensor beneath. Because every knuckle and finger zone is tested, a glove must protect the fingers, not just the back of the hand, to earn a level. The result is reported as the mean transmitted force in kilonewtons (kN): the lower the transmitted force, the higher the protection level.

Part 2 — ANSI/ISEA 138 impact level decode table

The three levels, by transmitted force — lower force means more protection:

The level is marked with the ISEA 138 pictogram (a hand with a falling weight) and the number. Every glove in our Impact-Resistant Gloves range carries back-of-hand armor; check the marked level against the table.

Part 3 — Impact is separate from cut, abrasion, and vibration

An impact level says nothing about cut resistance. A glove can be ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 3 for impact yet only A2 for cut, or vice versa. For blade hazards you must also read the cut level — see our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut-level guide. The European EN 388 standard reports impact only as a pass/fail P, whereas ANSI/ISEA 138 grades the depth of protection 1-3. If the hazard is sustained tool vibration rather than impact, that is a different category again — see our Anti-Vibration Gloves range.

Part 4 — How to choose an impact glove level

1. Rate the impact hazard. Light handling points to Level 1; construction and maintenance to Level 2; oil and gas, drilling, and demolition to Level 3.
2. Add the cut requirement. Determine the cut level you need separately and look for a glove that meets both, not just one.
3. Check finger coverage. Confirm the armor extends over the fingers and thumb, not just the back of the hand, since the standard tests those zones.
4. Balance dexterity. Higher impact armor adds bulk; choose the lowest level that covers the hazard to preserve grip and feel.
5. Size for fit. Order the correct size so the armor sits over the knuckles — use the glove size chart.

Part 5 — Worked example: gloves for a pipeline crew

A pipeline crew faces pinch points, swinging tools, and sharp pipe edges — high impact plus meaningful cut. Here is the selection on real SKUs:

1. Target Level 2-3 impact. Oil and gas work justifies the highest impact armor; specify ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 or 3 from the impact-resistant gloves range.
2. Pick an impact shell. The MCR Safety PD6901 Predator impact gloves or the lighter MCR Safety PD4900 Predator impact gloves deliver back-of-hand TPR armor.
3. Combine impact with cut. For pipe edges, choose a glove that pairs impact with a high cut level, such as the MCR Safety 36136KDP CutPro impact gloves; verify the cut level in the cut-level guide.
4. Confirm the EN 388 mark. If the glove is imported, check for a trailing P on its EN 388 rating as a secondary impact indicator.
5. Size and stage spares. Order across sizes with the glove size chart and keep the cut-resistant gloves range on hand for edge-only tasks.

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Frequently asked questions

What is ANSI/ISEA 138?

ANSI/ISEA 138 is the U.S. standard that rates the impact protection of an impact-resistant glove on a 1-3 scale, based on how much force the back-of-hand and finger armor transmits to the hand.

What do impact glove levels 1, 2, and 3 mean?

Level 1 transmits up to 9 kN (least protection), Level 2 up to 6.5 kN, and Level 3 up to 4 kN (most protection). Lower transmitted force means a higher, more protective level.

Is a higher ANSI 138 level always better?

Higher protects more but adds bulk and reduces dexterity. Choose the lowest level that covers your impact hazard so grip and feel are not compromised.

Is impact resistance the same as cut resistance?

No. Impact (ANSI/ISEA 138) and cut (ANSI/ISEA 105) are separate ratings. A glove can be high impact but low cut; check both against your hazards in the cut-level guide.

How are impact gloves tested?

A striker delivers a measured impact energy to the knuckles and each finger zone, and a sensor records the transmitted force. The mean force determines the level.

What industries need impact-resistant gloves?

Oil and gas, drilling, construction, demolition, mining, and heavy material handling, where struck-by and pinch hazards to the back of the hand are common.

What is the difference between ANSI 138 and EN 388 impact?

ANSI/ISEA 138 grades impact depth on a 1-3 scale, while EN 388 only reports impact as a pass/fail P. ANSI 138 gives more granular information.

Do impact gloves protect the fingers?

Yes — ANSI/ISEA 138 tests each finger zone, so a rated glove must have armor over the fingers and thumb, not just the back of the hand.

Can a glove be both cut- and impact-rated?

Yes, many combine a high cut level with an impact level. Look for a glove that carries both an ANSI/ISEA 105 cut mark and an ANSI/ISEA 138 impact mark.

What level of impact glove do I need for oil and gas?

Oil and gas and drilling typically specify Level 2 or 3 because of severe pinch and struck-by hazards. Confirm the marked level against the Part 2 table.

Does OSHA require impact-rated gloves?

OSHA 1910.138 requires gloves matched to the hazard; for documented struck-by hazards an ANSI/ISEA 138-rated glove is how that match is demonstrated.

Are anti-vibration gloves the same as impact gloves?

No. Anti-vibration gloves dampen sustained tool vibration, while impact gloves absorb sudden blows. See the anti-vibration gloves range for vibration hazards.

Do impact gloves wear out?

Yes. The TPR armor can crack and the shell abrades; inspect and replace when armor is split or the glove no longer fits over the knuckles correctly.

How do I make sure the armor sits over my knuckles?

Fit is critical — armor that sits off the knuckles does not protect them. Order the correct size using the glove size chart.

What if I also handle chemicals?

Impact gloves do not address chemical permeation. For chemical exposure, select the right material from the chemical-resistant glove guide or pick a disposable film with the nitrile vs latex vs vinyl guide.

Further reading on this site

• EN 388 glove standard explained — the European mechanical-risk rating.
• ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels — the separate cut scale.
• Glove size chart — fit the armor over your knuckles.
• Chemical-resistant glove guide — for chemical exposure.
• Impact-resistant gloves — full lineup with back-of-hand armor.
• Cut-resistant gloves — for blade and edge hazards.
• Anti-vibration gloves — for sustained tool vibration.
• Material-handling gloves — coated grip for general work.
• Trade gloves — general-purpose work gloves by application.
• Nitrile gloves complete buyer's guide — coatings, grip, and grades.
• Nitrile gloves — disposable grades for light tasks.