Who is familiar with the paradox of cut protection?

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Did you know that in 70% of all hand injuries, no gloves were worn at all? Simply put, gloves can't protect anyone if they're not worn. That's why we want to make sure that our gloves have the highest possible wearing comfort in addition to the right level of cut protection.

Hand injuries are the most common cause of accidents at work.

Statistics from the employers' liability insurance associations show that 40% of accidents at work affect the hand, which is therefore the most affected region of the body. But hand injuries also occur more frequently in leisure time, with do-it-yourselfers being particularly affected. Plastic surgery or hand surgery is required for serious hand injuries, including cuts with tendon and nerve rupture, injuries caused by bruising and tearing of the skin and soft tissue mantle as well as finger loss. The necessary interventions are very difficult and require sound qualifications. Thanks to advanced plastic surgery techniques and microsurgical methods, there are now a wide range of treatment options for serious injuries. In this way, it can often be possible to sew severed fingers back on and repair extensive soft tissue defects with great sensitivity.

Convenience is the key to acceptance.

In the last 10 years, accidents at work have decreased overall and in Germany hand injuries have also decreased, but not to the same extent*. One reason for this is that the selection of cut protection products has been prioritized for high performance values and not on the important factor of wearing comfort.

We call this a "cut protection paradox". Comfort is crucial for high wear acceptance – that's why we design all our gloves with this guiding principle in mind.

*Source: OCHA+EU Stats, BG – Accident Statistics – 2010-2021

The ISO cut protection value D and higher does not correspond to the "Coupe" test value 5.

The introduction of the improved EN 388 and ISO 13997 test has brought with it a modern myth. Many manufacturers now focused on optimizing cut protection gloves for the reassessed ISO 13999 test procedure. The old result of the protection level was now only indicated with an X. Many customers were then mistaken in the assumption that the new protection levels according to ISO 13997- D, E & F were equivalent to the old cut protection level 5 of the Coupe test. However, the values are not directly comparable. It is therefore important that a new risk assessment is carried out for each workplace and thus it is determined which level of cut protection is actually required. A Level F cut protection glove is usually less comfortable to wear than a Level D glove. This also causes lower acceptance among the wearer. Therefore, the right glove for the respective workplace should always be used.

The ALLRPROTEC® EASYWORK offers you the same cut protection in a new class.

If you have any further questions on this topic, we are always there for you via the familiar communication channels. The protection professionals are at your side to help.