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At Delta Plus, our mission is to ensure workplace safety through reliable, head-to-toe protection. Navigating safety standards can be complex. Learn the crucial differences between ANSI and EN388 cut ratings to empower your team with the right cut-resistant gloves for optimal performance, comfort, and safety.
At Delta Plus, our mission is to ensure workplace safety through reliable, head-to-toe protection. Navigating safety standards can be complex. Learn the crucial differences between ANSI and EN388 cut ratings to empower your team with the right cut-resistant gloves for optimal performance, comfort, and safety.
Safety tips
Update 07.05.26
When outfitting your team for hazardous work, the ANSI/ISEA 105 standard is the metric most commonly utilized in the United States and is widely recognized across Canada. This standard measures cut resistance on a highly specific, nine-level numerical scale, making it straightforward to match the glove to the exact risk level of the job.
Simply put, the higher the ANSI number, the greater the cut resistance. At Delta Plus, we engineer our gloves to meet these rigorous testing standards, ensuring that high-level protection never comes at the expense of ergonomic design or hand dexterity.
While ANSI is the primary standard in North America, the EN388 rating is the European standard for assessing gloves against a variety of mechanical risks—specifically abrasion, puncture, tear, and cut resistance. Because supply chains and safety standards are increasingly global, you will frequently see this rating printed on high-quality PPE worldwide.
Unlike the numerical ANSI scale, the EN388 standard uses an alphabetical grading system to indicate cut resistance:
Understanding this standard ensures that even when reviewing internationally rated gear, you can maintain a culture of trust and confidence in your equipment's protective capabilities.
A common, yet dangerous, misconception in PPE selection is assuming that these two rating systems are perfectly interchangeable. ANSI and EN388 ratings are not directly equivalent. For instance, an ANSI A4 glove does not automatically equate to an EN388 D glove because the two standards utilize entirely different testing systems and machinery to measure cut resistance.
For businesses operating in Canada and the U.S., relying on ANSI ratings is often the most practical way to compare gloves. However, premium manufacturers often display both ANSI and EN388 ratings to provide a comprehensive view of the glove's performance. The most important takeaway is that the "best" glove is not automatically the one with the highest rating. Over-protecting a worker with a bulky A9 glove for a light-duty task can lead to hand fatigue and decreased dexterity. The ideal glove is always the one perfectly matched to the specific task, the precise hazard level, and the comfort needs of the worker.
Navigating cut-resistance standards does not have to be a guessing game. By conducting a proper hazard assessment and understanding the nuances between ANSI and EN388 ratings, you take a proactive step in protecting your workforce. At Delta Plus, we are dedicated to offering innovative solutions that combine top-tier performance, all-day comfort, and smart design. Trust in the right data, invest in the right gear, and ensure your team is safely protected from head to toe.
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