EN 388: CUT-RESISTANT GLOVE LEVELS EXPLAINED

Is there a risk of cuts, scrapes, or hand injuries in your workplace?

Cut-resistant gloves are an important item of PPE. But they don’t all provide the same level of protection.

Choosing the wrong kind can leave workers exposed to unnecessary risk. In fact, there were 23,113 injuries to fingers, hands, wrists, and arms reported to RIDDOR in 2023-24. That’s a massive 37% of all workplace injuries!

This is where EN 388 comes in.

This safety glove standard lays out cut-resistance levels for gloves. So, you can make sure workers have the right level of protection.

The only problem is that it can be hard to decode what all the numbers and letters mean.

We’re here to provide a clear breakdown of EN 388 cut-resistance levels and what they actually tell you. But first…

WHAT ARE CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES?

Cut-resistant gloves are tough gloves that provide important hand protection from sharp edges and slicing injuries.

They’re made from high-strength materials like:

• Spectra - strong and durable
• Kevlar - light, strong, and heat-resistant
• Dyneema - up to 15 times stronger than steel
• Fibreglass - good strength with added flexibility
• Steel mesh - extreme strength for high-risk jobs

While general handling gloves are great for light work, cut-resistant gloves offer better protection. So, they’re a must if your team works with anything that could cut skin.

Which brings us to an important question…

DO I NEED CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES?

Does your team handle sharp tools, blades, or materials that could cut skin?

The first step is to carry out a risk assessment. If there's a risk of cuts or lacerations, cut-resistant gloves should form part of your PPE assessment.

At SMI, we also offer hand protection audits to evaluate glove usage across your teams and make sure the right level of protection is being provided.

Construction, warehousing, recycling, and food preparation all involve tasks where hand protection plays a vital role.

Choosing the right glove for the task keeps your team safe, comfortable, and focused on the job.

Shop our full range of hand protection.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EN 388 CUT-RESISTANT RATINGS

EN 388 is the European (EU) safety standard for gloves that protect against mechanical risks – things like cuts, scrapes, punctures, and tears.

Historically, EN 388 used the Coup Test to provide cut-resistance ratings from 1 to 5.

Now, it uses the TDM-100 Test to rate gloves using a letter system:

• A = lowest level of cut resistance
• F = highest level of cut resistance

The TDM-100 Test measures how much force it takes to cut through a glove with a straight blade.

Choosing the right glove cut level for the job

The EN 388 cut levels for gloves are there to help you find the right protection for the job.

Here’s how much protection you get based on the A to F scale:

• A. Lowest level of cut resistance - jobs with little risk of cuts and scrapes
• B. Low cut resistance - work with a chance of light cuts and scrapes
• C. Medium cut resistance - risky workplaces with sharp tools/materials
• D. High cut resistance - heavy-duty work where cuts and punctures are likely
• E. Very high cut resistance - workplaces with serious hazards
• F. Highest level of cut resistance - where hands are constantly at risk from blades, sheet metal, or broken glass.

TOP TIP: As cut-resistance levels increase, gloves are better suited to higher-risk tasks involving sharp materials and blades.

Still not sure which glove is right for you? Speak to our friendly team!

GOING BEYOND CUT RESISTANCE

EN 388 isn’t just about cut protection. It includes a full range of safety tests to see how well hand protection performs in tough working conditions.

Here’s what gloves are tested for:

• Abrasion – How long the glove can hold up against continual rubbing with sandpaper (rated 1-4, level 4 being the strongest)
• Tearing – How much force it takes to tear the glove apart (rated 1-4, level 4 being the strongest)
• Punctures – How much force it takes to push a nail through the glove (rated 1-4, level 4 being the most puncture-resistant)
• Impact – Whether the glove has been tested for impact protection across the knuckle area (a ‘P’ in the sixth position indicates the glove has passed the impact protection test).
• Cut (TDM-100 Test) – How much force it takes to cut through a glove with a straight blade (rated A-F, with F meaning the most protection)
• Cut (Coup Test) – How long a circular blade can move over the glove liner until it cuts through (rated 1-5, with 5 being the highest and X meaning failure).

TOP TIP: Go for gloves with a strong TDM rating. The A-F scale is the most accurate way to measure cut protection.

DECODING EN 388 RESISTANCE RATINGS

What does that 6-digit code on your gloves mean? It makes sense once you know.

Each number or letter represents the glove’s performance for each hazard tested, in this specific order:

1. Abrasions
2. Cuts (COUP Test)
3. Tears
4. Punctures
5. Cuts (TDM Test)
6. Impact

AN EXAMPLE OF EN 388

Let’s say your glove label says 4X42CP.

Here’s what it breaks down to:

WHAT CUT LEVEL GLOVES DO I NEED?

It all depends on what you handle on any working day.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Opening boxes – go for Level A or B
• Working with glass, metal, or knives – it’s Level C or above
• High-risk cutting tasks or handling sharp edges or objects all day – consider higher protection levels such as D, E, or F, depending on the risks identified.

However, it’s not just about cut protection. You may also need your team’s gloves to protect against abrasions, tears, punctures, or impact.

Always complete a risk assessment as your first step.

Then, once you know what hazards you need to protect against, you can select appropriate gloves for the task.

Top tip: Choose gloves that provide the level of protection required without unnecessarily affecting comfort or dexterity.

Need help choosing the right glove? Let's chat.

WHY PARTNER WITH A SPECIALIST?

Understanding EN numbers and cut resistance ratings can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be.

At SMI, we take the guesswork out of PPE. We know what works, and we’ll help you find it.

Here’s how we make it easy:

• 97% stock availability
• Maximum 3-hour response time
• 3-day dispatch on branded garments
• 5 PM order cut-off for next-day delivery
• Own delivery fleet in key regions for extra reliability

Need advice or help? Chat with our friendly team today.

FAQS

We’ve got the answers to these commonly asked questions about cut-resistant gloves.

WHAT IS CUT LEVEL ON GLOVES?

It shows how well gloves protect your hands from sharp materials.

WHAT ARE CUT LEVEL D GLOVES?

These gloves offer reliable protection against hazards like blades or sheet metal. They’re not as tough as levels E and F, but are less bulky and easier to work with.

WHAT IS LEVEL B CUT-RESISTANCE?

Level B gloves are great when you only need light cut protection, but they’re not the best choice for sharp blades.

IS CUT LEVEL 5 BETTER THAN 4?

Yes, level 5 resistance gloves can take more force before they see any damage. You’ll need these for work with sharp tools, materials, or machinery.