Skytec Sandy Nitrile Coated Cut Level D Cut Resistant Gloves - Oily and Dry Handling

Skytec Sandy Nitrile Coated Cut Level D Cut Resistant Gloves

Sandy nitrile cut resistant gloves designed for fabricators, assembly operatives, light engineers, and maintenance workers handling sharp components, sheet materials, and fabricated parts in dry, oily, or greasy conditions. The 13-gauge HPPE and glass fibre composite liner delivers TDM Cut Level D protection at a gauge thin enough to retain the dexterity required for component assembly and precision handling tasks. Certified to EN388:2016+A1:2018 and rated 4X43D, CE marked to CAT II.

How sandy nitrile grip maintains control on oily and greasy components

A flat nitrile palm coating relies on surface contact area to generate grip. On oily, greasy, or lightly contaminated components, that contact film breaks down, the coating hydroplanes across the surface and the operative loses control of the part. On a fabrication line or maintenance bench, a dropped component means either a damaged part or an injury. Sandy nitrile coating applies a micro-textured surface across the palm and fingers that mechanically keys into the component surface regardless of contamination, maintaining grip purchase even when the part is coated in cutting fluid, machine oil, or light grease.

Key Features

• Sandy nitrile palm coating: Micro-textured surface keys into oily and greasy components where flat nitrile loses traction. Grip performance holds across dry, lightly oiled, and greasy handling conditions throughout the working shift.
• TDM Cut Level D liner construction: HPPE and glass fibre composite yarn at 13 gauge achieves TDM Level D cut resistance under ISO 13997 straight-blade testing, the fourth highest cut rating on the A to F scale and the correct specification for intermediate cut-hazard tasks involving sharp sheet metal, fabricated components, and general parts handling.
• Reinforced thumb crotch: The junction between thumb and forefinger is the first point of failure on any handling glove. Additional material at this location resists the abrasion and cut stress generated by repetitive contact with sharp edges during assembly and maintenance tasks.
• Seamless 13-gauge knit liner: The seamless construction removes internal seams that cause pressure points and reduce tactile feedback. At 13 gauge, the liner is thin enough for component assembly without sacrificing the structural integrity required for cut resistance.
• Breathable back of hand: Uncoated knitted back allows air circulation, reducing perspiration build-up during continuous wear across a full shift, a practical consideration for operatives wearing gloves for extended periods in workshop environments.
• Elasticated knit wrist cuff: Seats securely at the wrist without restricting movement, preventing the glove from shifting during handling tasks and keeping debris and swarf from entering the cuff.
• EN407:2020 contact heat rating: Rated X1XXXX under EN407:2020, providing contact heat protection to 100°C for up to 15 seconds, relevant for light engineering and maintenance tasks involving incidental contact with warm components or machinery.

Who is this for

Trades and roles:

• Fabricators
• Assembly operatives
• Maintenance engineers
• Sheet metal workers
• General manufacturing operatives

Industries:

• Manufacturing and fabrication
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Construction
• Facilities management

 Specifications

Compatibility

Who is this for

Cut resistant sandy nitrile gloves of this specification are used primarily by fabricators, assembly operatives, and maintenance engineers who handle sharp-edged components, sheet materials, and fabricated parts as a routine part of their working day. They are suited to manufacturing and engineering environments where hands regularly contact metal offcuts, stamped parts, machined components, and tooling in conditions ranging from clean and dry to lightly oiled or greasy. Procurement teams specifying PPE for intermediate cut-hazard environments under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 will find the EN388:2016+A1:2018 rating of 4X43D meets the requirement for TDM Level D protection at this application level.

Typical applications

• Handling stamped, pressed, or laser-cut sheet metal components on a fabrication line where edges are sharp and contact is repetitive throughout the shift.

• Component and product assembly in automotive or aerospace manufacturing where parts are oily from machining fluid and grip reliability is critical to production quality and operative safety.

• General maintenance tasks in engineering environments involving incidental contact with sharp fixings, brackets, and fabricated metalwork.

• Woodwork and joinery fabrication tasks where sharp tool edges, rough-sawn timber, and panel materials present a moderate cut risk.

• Goods handling in distribution and warehousing environments where sharp packaging materials, banding, and metal fixings create a regular cut hazard.

• Light construction maintenance tasks involving sheet materials, rebar tie wire, and general fixing work where moderate cut protection is required alongside dexterity.

• General parts handling in aerospace and automotive assembly environments where components are oiled for preservation and precise finger sensitivity is required to detect component fit.

How to use

Step 1: Select the correct size. XS fits hand size 6, S fits 7, M fits 8, L fits 9, XL fits 10, XXL fits 11, XXXL fits 12. A correctly fitting glove seats fully at the fingertips with no bunching at the palm. An oversized glove reduces grip precision and places additional stress on the coating at fold points.

Step 2: Pull the glove fully over the hand, ensuring all fingers are fully seated. Check that the sandy nitrile coating covers the full palm and finger surface with no liner bunching visible through the coating.

Step 3: Seat the elasticated knit cuff flat against the wrist with no fold or pressure point before beginning work.

Step 4: Inspect the sandy nitrile coating before each use. Check the palm, fingertips, and thumb crotch for visible thinning, cracking, or delamination. Do not use a glove with visible coating damage, cut resistance is provided by the liner, but a damaged coating reduces grip performance in oily conditions.

Step 5: After use, wipe with a damp cloth to remove oil, grease, and particulate contamination. Air dry before storing. Do not use solvent-based cleaners, these degrade nitrile.

Step 6: Replace when the sandy texture at the palm or fingertips is visibly worn smooth, when the liner shows thinning at the thumb crotch, or when TDM cut resistance can no longer be assured from visual inspection.

Common mistakes

• Selecting the wrong size: An oversized glove reduces tactile feedback on precision assembly tasks and increases fatigue. An undersized glove stresses the liner at the knuckles and accelerates coating separation at the fingertips.

• Using these gloves for high-risk cut tasks: TDM Level D is the correct specification for intermediate cut hazards. It is not sufficient for tasks involving power cutting tools, angle grinder discs, or blade grinding operations, where TDM Level E or F is required.

• Assuming nitrile coating provides chemical protection: Sandy nitrile is a grip coating, not a chemical barrier. These gloves are not rated to EN374 and must not be used for chemical handling tasks or prolonged chemical contact.

• Cleaning with solvent-based products: Solvents rapidly degrade nitrile coatings. Wipe with a damp cloth only. Allowing oil or grease contamination to dry and harden on the coating also reduces grip performance.

• Confusing EN388 puncture resistance with needle-stick protection: The Level 3 puncture result under EN388 tests resistance to a blunt probe at 3N force. This is not needle-stick or hypodermic needle protection. Do not use these gloves in environments where needle-stick risk is present.

Safety

These gloves are certified to EN388:2016+A1:2018 (4X43D) and EN407:2020 (X1XXXX) under UK PPE Regulations, CAT II. The TDM Level D cut rating is appropriate for intermediate cut-hazard tasks. They are not suitable for high-risk cut environments, chemical immersion, sustained heat, flame, or electrical hazard work. The EN407 contact heat rating of Level 1 provides protection against incidental contact with surfaces up to 100°C for a maximum of 15 seconds only, this is not a heat protection glove. Avoid use near moving machinery where entanglement is a risk. Operatives should conduct a task-specific risk assessment under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 to confirm suitability before use.

Maintenance

Wipe with a damp cloth after each use to remove oil, grease, swarf, and particulate contamination. Do not use solvent-based cleaners. Air dry fully before storing. Store in dry conditions between 10°C and 30°C, away from direct sunlight and away from sources of ozone or chemical vapour, which degrade nitrile over time. Inspect the palm coating, fingertip surfaces, and thumb crotch before each shift. Replace when the sandy texture is visibly worn, when coating delamination is present, or when the liner shows visible thinning. Service life depends on task intensity and cannot be specified, inspect before every use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does TDM Level D mean and is it sufficient for my application?

 A: TDM Level D is a cut resistance rating determined under ISO 13997 using a straight-blade test, expressed on a scale from A (lowest) to F (maximum). Level D requires the blade to travel at least 8 metres under a standardised load before cutting through the liner material. It is the correct specification for intermediate cut-hazard tasks including general parts handling, sheet metal assembly, and maintenance involving sharp fixings and fabricated components. It is not sufficient for high-risk tasks such as power cutting, blade grinding, or sustained contact with exposed sharp edges under load, these applications require TDM Level E or F.

Q: What does the EN388:2016+A1:2018 rating of 4X43D actually mean?

 A: EN388 is the UK standard for gloves protecting against mechanical risks. The rating code contains five positions, each representing an individual test result. The first digit (4) is abrasion resistance, the liner withstood the highest level of abrasion testing. The second position (X) means the Coupe rotating blade cut test was not conducted or returned an unreliable result due to the liner material blunting the blade, this is common with cut-resistant fibres such as HPPE and glass fibre composite, and the X does not indicate a failure. The third digit (4) is tear resistance at the maximum level. The fourth digit (3) is puncture resistance, confirming the glove resists a blunt probe at force. The fifth position (D) is the TDM straight-blade cut result under ISO 13997, this is the definitive cut resistance rating for this glove and the figure that should be used in risk assessment documentation. CE CAT II marking confirms independent assessment under UK PPE Regulations.

Q: What are these gloves NOT suitable for?

 A: These gloves are not suitable for chemical immersion or prolonged chemical contact, they carry no EN374 rating and the nitrile coating is a grip surface, not a chemical barrier. They are not suitable for sustained heat exposure, open flame, or temperatures above 100°C — the EN407 Level 1 contact heat rating covers incidental contact for a maximum of 15 seconds only. They must not be used for high-risk cut tasks involving power tools, blade grinding, or angle grinder work where TDM Level E or F is required. They are not needle-stick resistant, EN388 puncture resistance tests a blunt probe, not a hypodermic needle. They are not suitable for use near moving machinery where entanglement is a risk.

Q: Why choose sandy nitrile over flat nitrile or foam nitrile coating for oily conditions?

 A: Flat nitrile relies on surface contact area to generate grip. On oily or greasy components, a film of lubricant between the coating and the surface breaks the contact and the operative loses purchase on the part. Sandy nitrile applies a micro-textured surface across the palm and fingers that mechanically keys into the component regardless of oil or grease contamination, maintaining grip where flat nitrile loses traction. Foam nitrile performs well in wet conditions but compresses under the handling pressures typical of fabrication and assembly tasks, reducing tactile feedback over a shift. Sandy nitrile retains its texture under repeated compression and provides consistent grip performance across dry, lightly oiled, and greasy handling conditions.

Q: Why does this glove use a glass fibre and HPPE composite liner rather than HPPE alone?

 A: HPPE fibre on its own provides good cut resistance but requires a heavier gauge to reach TDM Level D, which reduces dexterity and finger sensitivity. Blending glass fibre into the HPPE and nylon yarn achieves the structural cut resistance required for Level D at a 13-gauge construction, thin enough to retain the tactile feedback needed for component assembly and precision handling tasks. The glass fibre component also contributes to the high abrasion resistance score (Level 4) and tear resistance score (Level 4) visible in the EN388 rating.

Q: Is the EN388 puncture resistance rating the same as needle-stick protection?

 A: No. The EN388 puncture resistance test presses a blunt 1mm-diameter probe through the glove material at a controlled force, it measures resistance to tools, nails, and blunt sharp objects. It does not assess resistance to hypodermic needles or fine-pointed instruments. Level 3 puncture resistance under EN388 must not be interpreted as needle-stick protection. Operatives working in environments where hypodermic needle exposure is a risk should use gloves specifically tested and rated for needle-stick resistance under a separate standard.

Q: How long should a pair last under regular workshop or fabrication use?

 A: Service life cannot be specified and depends entirely on the nature and intensity of the handling task. In repetitive fabrication tasks with continuous sharp-edge contact, the sandy coating at the fingertips and thumb crotch shows wear first. Wiping clean and air-drying after each shift, and storing away from direct sunlight and chemical vapour, extends service life compared with leaving contamination to dry on the coating. The reinforced thumb crotch on this glove is specifically designed to extend service life at the point of highest wear. Inspect before every shift and replace when the sandy texture is worn smooth or when any thinning of the liner is visible.

Q: How quickly can I get these cut resistant gloves delivered to site or to a workshop?

 A: Order by 7pm for next-day delivery nationwide at no extra cost on stocked lines. CMT Group operates its own fleet of vehicles covering over 95% of the UK mainland with live order tracking, real-time ETAs, and What3Words integration for delivery to a precise compound entrance, gate, or loading bay without needing a full postcode.

Q: How do I know CMT Group is a reliable source for EN388 certified PPE gloves for our site or procurement requirements?

 A: CMT Group holds BSIF Registered Safety Supplier status, ISO 9001:2015 quality management accreditation, CHAS Elite, and Crown Commercial Service Supplier approval, all independently verified. Every glove in the CMT range is assessed by the in-house compliance team against current UK PPE Regulations before it is listed. Rated Excellent on Trustpilot, with over 400 verified Reviews.io reviews from UK construction and manufacturing customers reflecting consistent stock availability and service reliability.