2016 ANSI/ISEA 105 Cut Resistance Standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) 105 standard was adopted to address the testing and classification of hand protection. This 2016 standard updated the testing method to classify cut resistance in hand protection while also providing a more precise range of cut resistance levels. Reflecting the developments in cut resistant materials, the new standard takes the old 0-5 safety scale and upgrades it to a 9 point system. The testing method has also been standardized, only allowing cut resistance to be measured by a Tomodynamometer Test Machine (TDM), where two machines were permitted before.
 | ANSI Cut Resistance TDM Test The updated ANSI/ISEA 105 Cut Resistance test utilizes a tool known as a Thermodynamic Test Machine or TDM. A piece of the fabric being tested is placed on the TDM and is subjected to number of cuts made by a straight edged blade. This blade is placed under a weight in grams and moved in a straight track across the fabric sample. 15 cuts are performed, with a new weight applied every 5 cuts, and a new blade equipped for each cut. When the data from these various cuts is compiled, the testers can determine a cut level between the range of A1 - A9, A1 being the least cut resistant and A9 the most. |
 | ANSI A1: 200-499 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: Light Applications: material handling, small parts assembly, packing, warehouse work, general purpose, construction |  | ANSI A2: 500-999 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: Light/Medium Applications: general purpose, automotive assembly, pulp & paper, forestry, construction, material handling |
 | ANSI A3: 1000-1499 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: Light/Medium Applications: material handling, small parts assembly (sharp edges), packaging, warehouse, construction, automotive assembly |  | ANSI A4: 1500-2199 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: Medium Applications: appliance manufacturing, light glass handling, canning, food processing, metal fabrication, HVAC, electrical |
 | ANSI A5: 2200-2999 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: Medium/Heavy Applications: metal fabrication & handling, food prep & processing, packaging, electrical, canning, automotive assembly, packaging |  | ANSI A6: 3000-3999 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: High Applications: metal stamping & recycling, changing blades, glass & window manufacturing, recycling, meat processing, aerospace |
 | ANSI A7: 4000-4999 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: High Applications: sharp metal stampings, glass & window manufacturing, food processing, recycling plant sorting |  | ANSI A8: 5000-5999 Grams to Cut Hazard Level: High Applications: sharp metal stampings & recycling, glass & window manufacturing, food/meat processing, blade changing |
 | ANSI A9: 6000+ Grams to Cut Hazard Level: High Applications: sharp metal stampings & recycling, glass & window manufacturing, food/meat processing, blade changing | ||
