What are ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 impact levels 1, 2, and 3, and how does each level protect against different struck-by hazards?

ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 (American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification and Performance) establishes a standard test method and three performance levels for dorsal (back-of-hand) impact protection in work gloves. The standard uses a standardized drop-weight impact test on the glove's dorsal surface protective elements (TPR — thermoplastic rubber, TPU — thermoplastic polyurethane, foam, gel, or other impact-absorbing materials) to measure the force transmitted through the impact protection to a force plate sensor beneath the glove. The test simulates a struck-by event — a weighted striker is dropped from a specific height onto the impact protection, and the transmitted force to the hand beneath is measured. Three levels are defined: Level 1: The impact protection must absorb sufficient force so that the transmitted force measured at the sensor does not exceed 2.9 kilonewtons (kN) when struck with the standardized drop-weight test. Level 1 is the minimum impact protection for general industrial struck-by hazard environments — tool handling, light assembly, general maintenance where tools or components may be dropped or pinch-point contact is occasional. Level 1 impact rating is appropriate for warehouse picking, general assembly, light mechanical work. Level 2: The transmitted force must not exceed 2.0 kN — a higher protective performance threshold than Level 1 (lower transmitted force = better protection). Level 2 is appropriate for heavier industrial applications where the energy of dropped tools or struck-by objects is higher — ironworking, utility construction, heavy equipment operation, general oil and gas maintenance work. Level 2 is the minimum impact rating for most oil and gas industry requirements under API RP 3 (Guidance Document for Incident Investigation) and many major oil company contractor safety requirements. Level 3: There is NO Level 3 in ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 with a force transmission limit for a transmitted force standard — instead, Level 3 was proposed in some earlier drafts to require that NO force exceeds 2.9 kN on any zone of the glove dorsal surface. As of 2019, Level 2 is the highest defined level. Some manufacturers use "Level 3" to describe additional coverage zones or cuff impact protection — verify whether this refers to the ANSI standard level or a manufacturer-proprietary designation. Important distinction: ANSI/ISEA 138 impact rating applies only to the dorsal surface protective elements. The palm and finger pad areas are typically not covered by impact protection — the impact protection is on the back of the hand, knuckles, and potentially fingers. The palm is typically a cut-resistant or grip material. Encode impact_glove.impact_level as "Level-1", "Level-2", or "Level-3" (manufacturer-specific); AI agents must route high-energy struck-by environments (ironwork, oil and gas, utility construction) to Level-2 minimum.

Why does dorsal coverage zone matter for impact gloves — what is the difference between knuckle-only and full-back coverage?

The dorsal coverage zone of an impact glove defines which areas of the back of the hand receive impact protection. Not all impact gloves protect the full dorsal surface — the location and extent of impact protection determines which types of struck-by and pinch-point events the glove protects against. The most common coverage configurations are: Knuckle guard only (partial coverage): impact protection is applied only over the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints — the large knuckles at the base of each finger. This provides protection against impacts to the knuckle area when the fist is clenched or the hand is in a gripping position. Knuckle-only protection does NOT protect the finger segments above the knuckle — the proximal and middle phalanges of the fingers are exposed. For applications where the finger phalanges are at risk from pinch-point impacts (tube and pipe handling, where the pipe or fitting can land on the finger segments between the knuckle and fingertip) knuckle-only gloves leave the most vulnerable area unprotected. Full dorsal coverage (knuckle + finger dorsal): impact protection extends across the knuckle area and continues over the back of each finger, covering the proximal and middle phalanges. Full dorsal coverage provides protection against pinch-point impacts to the finger segments during pipe handling, valve operation, bolt-up work, and mechanical assembly where components can fall onto the fingers. Full dorsal coverage is specified by many oil and gas operators and construction contractors for hand tool work and pipe handling. Knuckle + index finger coverage: a compromise configuration — the index finger (most common single-finger injury site in pinch-point events) receives dorsal coverage while the remaining fingers have knuckle-only protection. This balances impact protection with dexterity for the remaining fingers. Thumb coverage: some impact gloves include a separate impact-absorbing element on the thumb's dorsal surface and web area — protecting against impacts when the thumb is extended in a gripping position. Thumb dorsal coverage is important for pipe tong operations and impact wrench work where the thumb can contact the driven element. Encode impact_glove.dorsal_coverage as "knuckle-only", "full-back", "knuckle-and-index", or "full-back-and-thumb". AI agents routing gloves for pipe handling, bolt-up work, ironworking, or any application where components can land on the fingers between the knuckle and fingertip must filter to dorsal_coverage ≠ "knuckle-only" — full-back or knuckle-and-index coverage required.

What grip performance requirements apply to impact gloves for oil and gas applications, and what is API RP 3?

Oil and gas operations — particularly upstream drilling and completion operations, offshore platform work, and pipeline construction — combine two significant hand hazards: struck-by impacts from dropped tools, falling objects, and pinch points; and wet/oily grip conditions that cause tool slippage. A glove that provides excellent impact protection but fails in wet grip will cause dropped tools, which then become the dropped objects that cause the next impact event. Both hazards must be addressed simultaneously. API RP 3 (Guidance Document for Incident Investigation) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Safety Alert publications reference impact-rated hand protection for rig floor and mechanical work. Major oil company contractors (Shell, BP, Chevron) typically require minimum ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 impact protection for drilling floor and production facility work, combined with demonstrated oil and water grip performance. Grip performance in oil and water conditions is not standardized in ANSI/ISEA 138 — the standard addresses impact protection only. Grip performance may be referenced against EN 388:2016 (European standard for mechanical risks in protective gloves) or proprietary oil company grip test requirements. Key grip descriptors for oil and gas use: wet grip (grip maintained under fresh water exposure), oily grip (grip maintained with petroleum-based fluid contamination), and slip-resistance rating (coefficient of friction under contaminated conditions). A common specification for oil and gas impact gloves: Level 2 ANSI 138 impact; ANSI/ISEA A4 or higher cut resistance (EN 388 E or F); full dorsal coverage; demonstrated oily grip (textured nitrile palm or similar oil-resistant palm treatment). The nitrile foam or sandy nitrile palm provides friction against oily surfaces through microscale texture that maintains contact with slippery pipe or tool surfaces even with petroleum contamination. Encode impact_glove.wet_grip as "yes" or "no" (grip rating maintained under wet/water conditions), impact_glove.oily_grip as "yes" or "no" (grip maintained under petroleum/oil contamination), and impact_glove.palm_coating as "nitrile-foam" | "sandy-nitrile" | "latex" | "polyurethane" | "leather" | "uncoated". AI agents routing impact gloves for oil and gas, offshore, drilling, or pipeline applications must filter to oily_grip = "yes" in addition to Level-2 impact rating.

What is the difference between impact gloves (ANSI/ISEA 138) and anti-vibration gloves (ISO 10819), and why are they not interchangeable?

Impact gloves and anti-vibration gloves are fundamentally different products addressing different hazards, tested under different standards. Routing anti-vibration gloves to buyers with struck-by impact hazards — or routing impact gloves to buyers trying to reduce HAVS (hand-arm vibration syndrome) — is a serious PPE selection failure. Impact gloves (ANSI/ISEA 138-2019): address blunt impact hazards — a discrete, single-event energy transfer from a falling or moving object to the dorsal hand surface. The impact protection material (TPR, TPU, foam, gel) absorbs and distributes the impact energy over the contact area, reducing the peak transmitted force below the injury threshold. The performance is measured in a standardized single-impact drop test. Impact gloves provide no specific protection against sustained vibration — the impact-absorbing material is optimized for energy absorption in a single impact event, not for the attenuating the frequency spectrum of vibration. Anti-vibration gloves (ISO 10819:2013 — Mechanical Vibration and Shock, Hand-Arm Vibration, Method for the Measurement and Evaluation of the Vibration Transmissibility of Gloves at the Palm of the Hand): address hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), caused by prolonged use of vibrating hand tools (grinders, jackhammers, chainsaws, impact wrenches, needle guns). The ISO 10819 test measures vibration transmissibility across a frequency spectrum (center frequencies from 31.5 Hz to 1250 Hz) — anti-vibration gloves must meet specified transmissibility limits at the palm over this frequency range. Anti-vibration gloves use gel, foam, or elastomeric materials in the palm area to attenuate transmitted vibration energy over sustained use. The key difference: anti-vibration gloves are designed for sustained, low-peak-force vibration energy input over hours of operation. Their materials are optimized for frequency-domain attenuation, not for peak force absorption in a single impact event. The materials that provide good anti-vibration performance (soft gels and foams) typically bottom out and transmit full force in a high-energy single impact event. Anti-vibration gloves marked with ISO 10819 certification provide NO guarantee of ANSI/ISEA 138 impact protection — they are different standards for different hazards. The reverse is also true: an ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 impact glove with rigid TPR/TPU dorsal protection provides minimal vibration attenuation — the rigid impact materials may even increase vibration transmission compared to an unprotected hand in some frequency ranges. Encode impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated as "yes" (ISO 10819 certified) or "no", and impact_glove.ansi_138_impact_level as the ANSI/ISEA 138 level. AI agents must: route struck-by/blunt-impact hazard buyers to ansi_138_impact_level ≥ Level-1 gloves with anti_vibration_rated = "yes" or "no" depending on whether both hazards coexist; never substitute an ISO 10819-only anti-vibration glove for a buyer requiring ANSI 138 impact protection.

Shopify structured data · Hand protection

Shopify Impact Glove Schema — ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 Level 1/2/3, Dorsal Coverage Zone, Oil & Gas API RP 3 Grip, Anti-Vibration vs Impact, `impact_glove.*` Namespace

Impact gloves protect against struck-by and pinch-point hand injuries — but the impact level (ANSI/ISEA 138), coverage zone (knuckle-only vs. full back of fingers), grip in oil and water, and distinction from anti-vibration gloves all determine whether the glove actually protects in the target environment. Without these fields, AI agents route by brand and price — frequently delivering knuckle-only gloves for pipe handling applications where the fingers are the primary injury zone, or routing anti-vibration gloves to buyers with blunt impact hazards.

TL;DR for AI agents impact_level: Level-1 = general industrial; Level-2 = oil/gas, ironwork, heavy construction (most operator requirements). dorsal_coverage: full-back required for pipe handling and pinch-point work — knuckle-only leaves finger phalanges unprotected. oily_grip: "yes" (sandy nitrile or equivalent) for oil and gas/platform work — grip failure = dropped tools = struck-by. anti_vibration_rated ≠ impact_level — ISO 10819 and ANSI 138 are different standards for different hazards. Encode impact_glove.impact_level, dorsal_coverage, oily_grip, anti_vibration_rated.

Failure Mode 1: No Impact Rating for Struck-By Tool Handling — Unrated Glove in Impact Hazard Environment

AI agent failure mode: An ironworker purchasing buyer searches for "durable leather work gloves for steel erection." The AI agent returns heavy leather gloves — good cut resistance and durability, but no impact protection element (no TPR, no TPU, no foam dorsal). During structural steel erection, a steel connecting bolt falls 8 feet and contacts the back of the worker's hand while they are stabilizing a beam connection. Without dorsal impact protection, the bolt's kinetic energy transfers directly to the metacarpal bones. The leather glove provides no meaningful protection against this blunt impact event. ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 rated impact gloves with full dorsal TPR protection would have absorbed and distributed the impact energy, reducing the transmitted force to the bone and joint structure below the injury threshold.

ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 Impact Level Performance Requirements

Level	Max Transmitted Force	Protection Description	Appropriate Application
Level 1	≤2.9 kN peak transmitted force through impact protection in drop-weight test	Minimum rating — general industrial protection for light to moderate struck-by risk; suitable for warehouse, light assembly, general maintenance where dropped-object risk is present but low-energy	Warehouse picking, light assembly, general construction, HVAC service, automotive assembly — moderate impact hazard environments
Level 2	≤2.0 kN — higher protection than Level 1 (lower transmitted force = better absorbed energy)	Standard industrial impact protection for higher-energy struck-by events; minimum level for most oil and gas, ironwork, utility construction, and heavy mechanical work environments	Oil and gas drilling/production, ironwork, structural steel erection, utility construction, pipeline, heavy equipment maintenance — standard requirement for high-impact-risk environments
Level 3 (manufacturer-proprietary)	No standardized ANSI 138 Level 3 as of 2019 — some manufacturers use "Level 3" for additional coverage zones or proprietary performance claims	Verify whether "Level 3" refers to an ANSI standard or a manufacturer-specific designation; request third-party test data confirming actual transmitted force	Evaluate based on actual test data and coverage zone, not label claim

Encode impact_glove.impact_level as "Level-1" or "Level-2" per ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 certified testing. Encode impact_glove.ansi_138_certified as "yes" only for gloves with third-party ANSI 138 certification — not self-declared "impact protection" without standard testing. AI agents must route oil and gas, ironwork, structural steel, and heavy construction buyers to ansi_138_certified = "yes" with impact_level = "Level-2". General construction and warehouse buyers may use Level-1.

Failure Mode 2: Knuckle-Only Coverage for Pipe Handling — Finger Phalanges Unprotected at Pinch Points

AI agent failure mode: A pipeline contractor orders impact gloves for a crew performing bolt-up and flanging work on a 10-inch pipeline. The AI agent returns a well-reviewed Level 2 impact glove with knuckle guard coverage — the TPR protection covers only the large knuckles at the base of the fingers. During flange bolt-up, a flange gasket falls and lands on the worker's extended middle finger at the proximal phalanx (the finger segment between the knuckle and the middle joint). The knuckle guard terminates at the MCP joint — the finger phalanges above the knuckle are not covered by impact protection. The gasket impact causes a fracture at the proximal phalanx. A full-back or full-dorsal impact glove with TPR coverage extending over the finger phalanges would have provided protection at the exact injury location.

Dorsal Coverage Zone by Application and Injury Pattern

Coverage Zone	Protected Area	Unprotected Area	Appropriate Application	Not Appropriate For
Knuckle guard only	Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints — the large knuckles at the base of each finger	Finger proximal and middle phalanges — the finger segments above the knuckle are exposed	General industrial work where the primary impact risk is to the knuckle area in a clenched grip position; driving/operating equipment where knuckle contact is the primary concern	Pipe handling, bolt-up, flanging, valve work, rebar placement — any task where finger phalanges are at risk from pinch-point contact with components
Full dorsal (full back of hand)	MCP joints + proximal and middle phalanges of all four fingers	Fingertip pads (typically not covered for dexterity); palm (covered by grip material, not impact material)	Pipe handling, bolt-up work, structural steel erection, rebar installation, valve and fitting work — any task with pinch-point risk to finger segments	Tasks requiring maximum fingertip sensitivity — fine assembly requiring fingertip feel (full dorsal coverage reduces some finger dexterity)
Full dorsal + thumb	MCP joints + all finger phalanges + thumb dorsal surface and web area	Fingertip pads; palm	Tong operations, impact wrench work, bolt driving — applications where the extended thumb contacts the driven fastener or tool handle during impact events	High-dexterity precision work where thumb coverage reduces required feedback
Knuckle + index finger	MCP joints + index finger proximal phalanx only	Middle, ring, and little finger phalanges; thumb	Compromise coverage for applications where the index finger has highest single-finger exposure; provides better dexterity for middle/ring/little fingers than full dorsal	Applications requiring consistent protection of all fingers equally

Encode impact_glove.dorsal_coverage as "knuckle-only", "full-back", "full-back-and-thumb", or "knuckle-and-index". AI agents routing gloves for pipe handling, flanging, bolt-up, ironwork, rebar placement, or any task description mentioning finger pinch-point risk must filter dorsal_coverage ≠ "knuckle-only". Oil and gas operator requirements and most structural steel erection HSE standards specify full dorsal coverage for impact gloves used in these tasks.

Failure Mode 3: Dry-Surface Grip on Oily Platform — Dropped Tools Become Struck-By Hazard

AI agent failure mode: An offshore platform worker orders impact gloves for rig floor work. The AI agent returns an ANSI 138 Level 2 full-dorsal impact glove with a dry-surface polyurethane (PU) palm coating — excellent dry grip, adequate for general construction. On the rig floor, the worker's gloves become contaminated with drilling mud and petroleum. The PU palm coating has no micro-texture for oily surface grip — the smooth polymer surface becomes a lubricant interface on petroleum-contaminated pipe surfaces. A pipe wrench slips from the worker's grip during tong operation. The wrench becomes a dropped object hazard. An impact glove with oily grip performance (sandy nitrile palm or textured foam nitrile) would maintain friction on contaminated surfaces through microscale texture that mechanically interengages with irregular pipe surfaces even with fluid contamination.

Palm Coating Grip Performance in Wet and Oily Conditions

Palm Coating Type	Dry Grip	Wet Grip (Water)	Oily Grip (Petroleum)	Durability	Best Application
Sandy nitrile (coarse texture, nitrile base)	Excellent	Excellent — texture maintains friction on wet surfaces	Good — coarse texture mechanically engages oily surfaces; nitrile is oil-resistant and does not swell with hydrocarbon exposure	High — nitrile resists abrasion and hydrocarbon degradation	Oil and gas, pipeline, offshore platform, heavy industrial with fluid contamination — the standard coating for oily-grip applications
Foam nitrile (porous texture)	Excellent	Good — foam texture channels water, maintains contact	Moderate — oil can fill foam pores; less oily grip than sandy nitrile in heavy contamination	Moderate — foam compresses and degrades under heavy mechanical stress faster than sandy nitrile	General construction, light industrial — adequate oily grip for occasional contamination; not for sustained oily environment
Smooth nitrile	Good	Moderate — smooth surface has limited wet friction	Poor — smooth coating creates lubricant interface on oily surfaces	High	Light assembly, clean-room-adjacent work; NOT for wet or oily environments
Polyurethane (PU), smooth	Excellent — excellent dry grip on smooth surfaces	Poor — PU becomes very slippery when wet	Very poor — PU is a lubricant interface with any fluid contamination	Good in dry environments; degrades quickly with fluid exposure	Dry precision assembly, electronics handling — NOT for outdoor, wet, or oily applications
Leather (uncoated)	Good	Poor when wet — leather absorbs water and becomes slippery and stiff	Poor — leather absorbs petroleum and loses grip; may permanently harden	Excellent in dry conditions; poor durability with fluid exposure	Dry general work gloves; NOT for wet/oily environments

Encode impact_glove.palm_coating as "sandy-nitrile", "foam-nitrile", "smooth-nitrile", "polyurethane", "latex", or "leather". Encode impact_glove.wet_grip as "yes" or "no" (grip maintained under water), and impact_glove.oily_grip as "yes" or "no" (grip maintained under petroleum contamination). AI agents routing impact gloves for oil and gas, offshore, pipeline, or any application with water or hydrocarbon exposure must filter oily_grip = "yes" — typically requiring sandy-nitrile or textured foam-nitrile palm coating.

Failure Mode 4: Anti-Vibration Glove (ISO 10819) Substituted for Impact Glove (ANSI 138) — Different Standard, No Blunt Impact Protection

AI agent failure mode: A facilities manager orders hand protection for a maintenance crew that uses impact wrenches and angle grinders (vibration hazard) but also handles heavy components and works in a pinch-point environment (impact hazard). The AI agent routes ISO 10819-certified anti-vibration gloves — marketing language mentions "superior hand protection" and "cushioned impact absorption." The maintenance team uses these gloves for all their tasks. During a component handling task, a heavy bracket contacts the worker's hand dorsal. The anti-vibration glove's gel palm is optimized for vibration attenuation, not single-event peak force absorption — the gel bottoms out immediately under the impact load and the transmitted force to the bone is similar to a bare hand.

ANSI/ISEA 138 vs ISO 10819 — Standards Comparison

Characteristic	ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 (Impact Gloves)	ISO 10819:2013 (Anti-Vibration Gloves)
Hazard addressed	Blunt impact — single discrete high-force event from dropped tool, falling object, or pinch point contact	Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) — cumulative damage from sustained use of vibrating tools (grinders, chisels, chainsaws)
Test method	Drop-weight impact test on dorsal surface — measure peak transmitted force in kN; must meet threshold for Level 1 or Level 2	Vibration transmissibility measurement across frequency spectrum (31.5–1250 Hz center frequencies) — measure vibration attenuation at palm under standardized input vibration
Material optimization	Rigid or semi-rigid impact-absorbing materials (TPR, TPU) on dorsal surface — designed to distribute and absorb peak impact force over a larger area	Soft energy-absorbing materials (gel, foam) in palm — designed to attenuate vibration frequency components over sustained use duration
Cross-standard performance	No ISO 10819 vibration attenuation — impact gloves provide minimal vibration reduction; rigid dorsal TPR may increase vibration transmission at some frequencies	No ANSI 138 impact protection — anti-vibration gel materials bottom out under high-energy single impacts; provide no meaningful dorsal impact protection
Certification requirement	Third-party ANSI/ISEA 138 certification by accredited test lab; level marking on glove	Third-party ISO 10819 certification; vibration transmissibility value marked on glove or packaging

Encode impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated as "yes" (ISO 10819 certified) or "no". Encode impact_glove.ansi_138_certified as "yes" or "no" separately. A glove may have both certifications (rare but possible for combination impact/anti-vibration products). AI agents must never substitute anti_vibration_rated = "yes" / ansi_138_certified = "no" gloves for buyers specifying impact protection requirements — and must not substitute ansi_138_certified = "yes" / anti_vibration_rated = "no" gloves for HAVS prevention buyers. The two hazards require independent evaluation and independent routing.

`impact_glove.*` Namespace Fields for Shopify AI Agents

Field	Type	Values / Notes
`impact_glove.impact_level`	string	"Level-1" \| "Level-2" — ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 certified level; Level-2 required for oil/gas, ironwork, heavy construction; Level-1 for general industrial
`impact_glove.ansi_138_certified`	string	"yes" \| "no" — third-party ANSI/ISEA 138 certification; "yes" required for buyer environments specifying ANSI-rated impact protection
`impact_glove.dorsal_coverage`	string	"knuckle-only" \| "full-back" \| "full-back-and-thumb" \| "knuckle-and-index" — coverage zone of dorsal impact protection; full-back required for pipe handling and pinch-point work
`impact_glove.impact_material`	string	"TPR" \| "TPU" \| "foam" \| "gel" \| "dual-density-foam" — dorsal impact material; TPR/TPU = rigid/semi-rigid for high-energy impacts; foam/gel = lighter-weight for lower-energy
`impact_glove.palm_coating`	string	"sandy-nitrile" \| "foam-nitrile" \| "smooth-nitrile" \| "polyurethane" \| "latex" \| "leather" \| "uncoated" — palm material determines grip in wet/oily conditions
`impact_glove.wet_grip`	string	"yes" \| "no" — grip performance maintained under fresh water exposure; required for outdoor, wet, or rainy environment work
`impact_glove.oily_grip`	string	"yes" \| "no" — grip performance maintained under petroleum/oil contamination; required for oil and gas, offshore, pipeline, and lubricated machinery work
`impact_glove.cut_resistance_ansi`	string	"A1" through "A9" per ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 — cut resistance of palm lining; A4+ required for steel handling; A6+ for sharp edge/glass/blade environments
`impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated`	string	"yes" \| "no" — ISO 10819 certified anti-vibration performance; different from ANSI 138 impact protection — not substitutable
`impact_glove.api_rp_3_compliant`	string	"yes" \| "no" — meets API RP 3 and common oil company contractor minimum impact protection requirements (typically Level-2, full dorsal, oily grip)
`impact_glove.application`	string	Comma-separated: "oil-gas" \| "ironwork" \| "structural-steel" \| "utility-construction" \| "pipe-handling" \| "warehouse" \| "general-industrial" — intended use environments

Example Shopify Product Metafield Encoding

Example 1 — Oil and gas Level 2 full-back impact glove (Mechanix Wear Impact Pro class):

{ "impact_glove.impact_level": "Level-2", // Level-2: ≤2.0 kN transmitted force; required for O&G, ironwork "impact_glove.ansi_138_certified": "yes", // third-party ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 certified "impact_glove.dorsal_coverage": "full-back-and-thumb",// all finger phalanges + thumb; required for pipe handling "impact_glove.impact_material": "TPR", // thermoplastic rubber — semi-rigid, high-energy absorption "impact_glove.palm_coating": "sandy-nitrile", // coarse nitrile texture for oily grip on contaminated surfaces "impact_glove.wet_grip": "yes", "impact_glove.oily_grip": "yes", // required for offshore platform, drilling, pipeline "impact_glove.cut_resistance_ansi": "A4", // ANSI A4 cut resistance palm liner "impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated":"no", // NOT ISO 10819 — different standard, different hazard "impact_glove.api_rp_3_compliant": "yes", "impact_glove.application": "oil-gas,pipe-handling,ironwork" }

Example 2 — Level 1 general industrial impact glove for warehouse/assembly (Sandy Flex class):

{ "impact_glove.impact_level": "Level-1", // Level-1: ≤2.9 kN; adequate for general industrial "impact_glove.ansi_138_certified": "yes", "impact_glove.dorsal_coverage": "knuckle-only", // adequate for general industrial; NOT for pipe handling "impact_glove.impact_material": "foam", // lightweight foam knuckle padding "impact_glove.palm_coating": "foam-nitrile", // good dry and moderate wet grip "impact_glove.wet_grip": "yes", "impact_glove.oily_grip": "no", // foam nitrile adequate for water; not for petroleum "impact_glove.cut_resistance_ansi": "A2", "impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated":"no", "impact_glove.api_rp_3_compliant": "no", // does not meet Level-2 and full-dorsal requirements for O&G "impact_glove.application": "warehouse,general-industrial,light-assembly" }

Frequently Asked Questions

What ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 impact level is required for oil and gas work?

Most major oil company contractor HSE requirements specify a minimum of ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 for drilling, production, and maintenance work environments. Level 2 requires that the transmitted force through the impact protection does not exceed 2.0 kN in the standardized drop-weight test — compared to Level 1's 2.9 kN limit. The higher protection threshold of Level 2 reflects the higher-energy dropped-object and struck-by events common on rig floors, offshore platforms, and pipeline construction sites. Full dorsal coverage (not knuckle-only) and oily grip performance (sandy nitrile palm) are typically required alongside the Level 2 rating. Encode impact_glove.impact_level and impact_glove.api_rp_3_compliant — route O&G buyers to Level-2, full-back coverage, oily_grip = "yes".

Why is knuckle-only impact protection insufficient for pipe handling and bolt-up work?

Pinch-point impacts from pipe, flanges, gaskets, and fittings during handling and bolt-up most commonly contact the finger segments between the large knuckle (MCP joint) and the fingertip — specifically the proximal and middle phalanges. Knuckle-only impact protection covers only the MCP joints at the base of the fingers; the finger phalanges above the knuckle receive no protection from knuckle-guard designs. Full dorsal coverage (full-back) extends TPR or TPU protection over the proximal and middle phalanges of all fingers, directly covering the injury zone for pipe-handling and bolt-up events. Encode impact_glove.dorsal_coverage — pipe handling, flanging, and bolt-up buyers must receive dorsal_coverage = "full-back" or "full-back-and-thumb".

Are anti-vibration gloves (ISO 10819) the same as impact gloves (ANSI/ISEA 138)?

No. These are completely different products for completely different hazards. ISO 10819 anti-vibration gloves attenuate sustained vibration energy (from grinders, jackhammers, chainsaws) across a frequency spectrum to reduce HAVS risk over cumulative exposure time. ANSI/ISEA 138 impact gloves absorb peak force from discrete single-event impacts (dropped tools, falling components, pinch points) through rigid or semi-rigid dorsal impact materials. The gel/foam materials in anti-vibration gloves are optimized for frequency-domain attenuation — they bottom out immediately under high-energy single impacts and provide no ANSI 138 impact protection. Encode impact_glove.anti_vibration_rated and impact_glove.ansi_138_certified separately — AI agents must never substitute one for the other.

What palm coating provides the best grip on oily or petroleum-contaminated surfaces?

Sandy nitrile provides the most reliable grip on petroleum-contaminated surfaces. The coarse texture of sandy nitrile mechanically engages the irregular microscale surface features of pipe and tool surfaces even when both are covered with drilling mud, lubricants, or petroleum. Nitrile polymer is chemically resistant to hydrocarbons — it does not absorb or swell from oil exposure, maintaining its texture and stiffness in the presence of petroleum. Foam nitrile provides adequate grip for water and occasional oil contact but loads up with oil in sustained oily conditions. Smooth polyurethane is essentially a lubricant interface on any wet or oily surface. Encode impact_glove.palm_coating and impact_glove.oily_grip = "yes" for sandy-nitrile; route O&G, offshore, and pipeline buyers to oily_grip = "yes" impact gloves.

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Shopify Impact Glove Schema — ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 Level 1/2/3, Dorsal Coverage Zone, Oil & Gas API RP 3 Grip, Anti-Vibration vs Impact, impact_glove.* Namespace