Cut Resistant Gloves
Cuts and punctures to the hands remain one of the most common and easily preventable injuries in the recycled paperboard industry. Here are a few facts regarding hand injuries.
- Glove Rating Scales
- The US adopted ASTM/ANSI/ISEA and the European (CE) rating.
- Most often the CE rating is higher than the US rating, meaning CE-rated gloves do not provide the same level of protection as a comparably rated ASTM/ANSI/ISEA glove. As a result, vendors often will pitch the advantages of their glove based on the higher CE rating scale.
- The higher the number (1-5) the higher the cut resistance. Also keep in mind that that gloves are cut resistant — not cut proof.
- Recommended Cut Levels
- Some companies recommend an ASTM/ANSI/ISEA level 4 or above glove anytime a sharp (i.e., knife, die blade, slitter blade, or other sharp tool or material).
- There is considerably higher level protection afforded between a cut ASTM/ANSI/ISEA3 and 4 while dexterity is generally not diminished.
- Different Cut Ratings
- Beware that some gloves have different cut level ratings on the palm side and the back side of the glove. Be sure to ask your sales rep. for a specification sheet on the gloves you consider purchasing.
Wearing the right type of glove is critical.
Review your company’s policies and understand the expectations regarding when, where and what type of gloves are to be used.
Dupont has issued an information sheet about Kevlar which you can see here.
Hexarmor has a good chart explaining the similarities and differences between the US and European standards which you can see here.
LATEST NEWS
Industry Benchmarking Survey
Mill registration for the 2025 Profile Study is complete, with 50 paper machines participating. First quarter samples from registered mills are due to RPTA Staff by April 4, 2025. All past Survey reports can be accessed at this member-only page.
2025 Winter Webinar
On January 22nd we held a webinar on Recovered Fiber Grades & Quality, presented by Shawn State, President of Pratt Recycling at Pratt Industries, and Pat McEnroe, Product Group Director at Kadant Black Clawson. The recording and Power Point slides from the webinar are available at this RPTA members only site, along with materials from other past RPTA educational events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2025 Production-Technical Seminar
TAPPICon 2025 will be held May 4 – 7, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
This year, RPTA’s Production-Technical Seminar will be integrated into TAPPICon.
RPTA members at mills that make 100% (or very high percentage) recycled containerboard, paperboard, or pulp (and their corporate support staff) will register through RPTA for a special, low registration fee of $800.
Included in the $800 fee are TAPPICon and four RPTA exclusive events for our members:
- End Chemistry Mini-Course – May 5, 7:30 to 9:30 am
- Member Lunch – May 5, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
- Member Roundtable Breakfast- May 6, 7:45 to 8:45 am
- Member Networking Room – May 5 and 6, all day
RPTA Operating Board Officers will be chairing three TAPPICon sessions, with RPTA-recruited speakers, on topics of interest to our members:
- Safety Walk/Safety Talk
- Achieving the Right Amount of Strength
- Waste Reduction and Alternative Fuels
Register here for TAPPICon 2025 & RPTA Special Events by April 14, 2025. Nonmembers, and members not associated with recycled mills, should register through TAPPICon.
Keep abreast of TAPPICon Program details and travel information at TAPPICon 2025.