Understanding ANSI/ISEA 138: A Simple Guide to Impact Protection Gloves
Every day across industries such as oil & gas, utilities, construction, manufacturing and heavy industry, workers risk hand injuries from dropped tools, crushing hazards and impacts to the back of the hand.
While cut resistance is often the first thing people look for when choosing safety gloves, impact protection is just as important in many applications.
That’s where ANSI/ISEA 138 comes in.
What is ANSI/ISEA 138?
ANSI/ISEA 138 is the American standard used to measure how well a glove protects the back of the hand and fingers from impact injuries.
Rather than simply saying a glove has “impact protection,” the standard tests exactly how much force reaches the wearer’s hand during an impact.
The lower the amount of force transmitted through the glove, the better the protection.
Why is it important?
Hand injuries remain one of the most common workplace injuries.
Even relatively minor impacts can lead to:
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Broken fingers
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Bruising
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Pinch injuries
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Crushed knuckles
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Lost work time
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Reduced productivity
Choosing gloves that have been independently tested to ANSI/ISEA 138 gives employers confidence that workers are wearing protection designed to reduce these risks.
How does the testing work?
During testing, an impact energy of 5J is applied to the glove's impact-protective pads
Special sensors measure how much force passes through the glove and reaches the hand.
The glove is tested across multiple impact zones, including the fingers, thumb and knuckles, to ensure protection is consistent where workers need it most.
Understanding the three ANSI impact levels
ANSI/ISEA 138 uses three performance levels.
ANSI Level 1
Suitable for lower-impact environments where occasional knocks or bumps may occur.
Maximum average transmitted force: 9 kN
ANSI Level 2
Designed for jobs where workers regularly face moderate impact hazards.
Maximum average transmitted force: 6.5 kN
ANSI Level 3
Provides the highest level of impact protection available under the ANSI standard.
Maximum average transmitted force: 4 kN
Because less force reaches the hand, Level 3 gloves provide the greatest protection against serious impact injuries.
Which level should you choose?
The right level depends on your workplace risk assessment.
| ANSI Level | Typical Applications |
| Level 1 | General maintenance, light industrial work, material handling |
| Level 2 | Utilities, construction, manufacturing, mining, heavy maintenance |
| Level 3 | Oil & gas, drilling, heavy equipment, demolition, high-impact environments |
Higher protection isn’t always the best choice for every task.
The ideal glove should provide the right balance of protection, comfort and dexterity for the work being performed.
Download our handy cheat sheet below so you can always refer back to it whenever you need a reminder of these key ANSI levels.
What should buyers look for?
When comparing impact protection gloves, consider more than just the ANSI rating.
Look for gloves that also deliver:
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Appropriate ANSI cut protection
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Good grip in your working environment
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Dexterity for the task
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All-day comfort
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Durable impact protection that won’t interfere with normal movement
The best glove is one workers are willing to wear for an entire shift.
The bottom line
ANSI/ISEA 138 gives safety professionals and purchasing managers a clear, consistent way to compare impact protection gloves.
Instead of relying on product claims alone, you can select gloves that have been independently tested and rated according to a recognized industry standard.
Whether you’re protecting maintenance teams, utility crews, oil and gas workers or manufacturing employees, understanding ANSI/ISEA 138 helps you make more informed PPE decisions—and ultimately helps keep hands safer on the job.
Choosing the right impact level is a key priority for many businesses. Explore our high-cut-resistant gloves and learn how we can support your team in staying safe and compliant.