Reference

European gloves wear an EN 388 shield with digits and letters; US gloves wear ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels A1-A9. Both now use the same TDM cut test, which makes honest conversion possible: EN letter grades in newtons map onto ANSI gram levels. Here is the conversion table, a worked 4X42C decode, and the impact-rating caveat.

The A-code stamped on a cut glove tells you exactly how much blade force it survived, but only if you know how to read it. This guide decodes the ANSI/ISEA 105 A1 through A9 scale and its gram ranges, explains the TDM-100 test behind the numbers, contrasts it with the European EN 388 cut ratings, and maps each level to real tasks.

Hand injuries are among the most common and preventable workplace incidents, yet most happen because the glove never matched the hazard. This guide walks through a hazard-based process for cut, impact, chemical, heat, and abrasion risks, decodes the rating systems, and covers coatings, dexterity, and sizing so gloves get worn.

The EN 388 shield-and-numbers mark on a work glove encodes its mechanical protection, but only if you can read it. This guide decodes every position of the EN 388:2016 rating, abrasion, cut, tear, puncture, the ISO 13997 cut letter, and impact, explains why the cut number changed, and maps EN 388 to the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale.