Why standards matter for impact protection
Hand injuries are widely recognised as a common workplace risk, and impact hazards are a key part of that picture in many industrial settings. Choosing gloves based on appearance alone can be misleading - which is why standards and test methods are important for making a defensible selection.
When it comes to impact resistance, there are two widely referenced global standards:
- EN 388 (Europe)
- ANSI/ISEA 138 (USA)
They use similar principles (measuring transmitted force), but they differ significantly in test coverage and how results are reported - and that affects how useful the rating is for your task.
EN 388 impact testing - what it measures
What does EN 388 test?
Under EN 388 impact testing, only one area is tested: the knuckles.
How is it tested?
The protective material from the back of the hand (specifically the knuckle) is secured over a metal, domed anvil. A \(2.5 \text{ kg}\) flat-faced striker is dropped from a height that delivers exactly \(5 \text{ Joules}\) of force. A force sensor located beneath the anvil measures the peak force that passes through the glove.
How is it rated?
EN 388 impact is reported as:
- P = Pass
- F = Fail
- X = Not tested
A pass is achieved when the transmitted mean force is ≤ 7 kN with no single result > 9 kN.
Where do you find the score?
The impact result is shown in the 6th position under the EN 388 pictogram on the glove marking. Gloves that fail the test are marked with an "F", and untested gloves display an "X"
ANSI/ISEA 138 - what it measures and why it’s different
What does ANSI/ISEA 138 test?
ANSI/ISEA 138 tests both knuckles and fingers/thumb, which is a key difference compared to EN 388. This broader coverage is designed to give more specific insight into protection in areas that are frequently exposed to impact and pinch hazards during work tasks.
How is it tested?
ANSI/ISEA 138 uses multiple drops across defined locations:
- Knuckles: 4 defined points across 2 gloves (8 tests)
- Fingers: 5 defined points across 2 gloves (10 tests)
How is it rated?
ANSI/ISEA 138 assigns a performance level:
Level 1 | 9 kN – 6.5 kN force transfer to the hand |
Level 2 | 6.5 kN – 4 kN force transfer to the hand |
Level 3 (highest) | < 4 kN force transfer to the hand |
or Fail | > 9 kN force transfer to the hand |
A key principle is: the lower the transmitted force, the higher the impact resistance (i.e., less force felt in the hand).
What if fingers and knuckles score differently?
If the knuckle and finger tests produce different results, the glove is assigned the lowest of the two as the overall impact performance level.
EN 388 vs ANSI/ISEA 138: what’s the practical difference?
EN 388 impact is best described as:
- A knuckle-only impact check
- Reported as simply Pass / Fail / Not tested, rather than a graded scale
- Useful for confirming a glove meets a basic impact performance threshold in the tested zone
ANSI/ISEA 138 is best described as:
- A more detailed approach (knuckles + fingers/thumb)
- Reported as Levels 1–3, making it easier to match glove choice to the level of impact risk
- Particularly helpful where finger impacts and pinch points are a concern, because it explicitly tests those areas
How to choose the right impact protection glove
When selecting impact gloves, it helps to start with a simple question:
1) Where is the impact risk - knuckles only, or fingers too?
If your task involves pinch points (for example handling heavy materials, tools, pipework, or working close to fixed equipment), consider whether you need impact performance information for fingers as well as knuckles.
2) How severe is the risk?
Where ANSI/ISEA 138 ratings are available, use the Level 1–3 scale to match protection to hazard severity (higher level = lower transmitted force in testing).
3) Will the glove stay on the hand?
Protection only helps when it’s worn consistently - so comfort, dexterity and task suitability matter alongside the rating. Many workplaces face the practical challenge of balancing protection and usability to support compliance.
4) Is impact protection the only hazard?
Impact hazards often appear alongside other risks (cut, abrasion, tear, puncture). Use the full glove marking system and risk assessment to ensure the glove is suitable for the overall task profile.
Impact protection gloves from uvex
uvex works together with HexArmor to provide impact protective glove options for different applications.
Need support choosing the right glove?
If you’d like help interpreting glove markings or selecting impact protection for your task, contact the team or request a trial to find the most suitable solution for your workforce.
FAQ's
ANSI/ISEA 138 is an impact performance standard that classifies impact resistance using Levels 1–3 and tests knuckles and fingers/thumb to provide more detailed information for glove selection.
They reflect how much force is transmitted through the glove during testing — lower transmitted force = higher level of protection. The page describes the force bands that map to Levels 1–3. If a glove has different finger and knuckle results under ANSI/ISEA 138, which one applies? The overall rating is the lowest (worst-performing) result between the finger and knuckle test outcomes, to provide a consistent representation of protection.
Not universally — it’s more detailed for impact, because it covers fingers as well as knuckles and uses a Level 1–3 scale, while EN 388 provides a simpler pass/fail result for knuckles.
Start with your risk assessment: identify where impacts happen (knuckles vs fingers), assess severity, then use the standard rating (where available) alongside comfort and task suitability so the glove can be worn consistently.
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