Ergodyne, the St Paul, Minesota-based company behind popular Tenacious work gear products, is launching new ranges of gloves, cut sleeves and knee pads engineered to drive the adoption of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Workers continue to push for the impossible when it comes to work gloves,” says senior product manager Aaron Skemp. “Demands for thinner and thinner designs with higher and higher cut-resistance levels have really challenged us to push the boundaries in order to deliver.”

The latest gloves in the company’s ProFlex range are consequently produced in a form-fitting 21-gauge knit to provide more flexibility and less bulk.

ProFlex 7073 nitrile-coated cut-resistant gloves deliver ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Level A7 cut resistance, while for workers facing wet or oily conditions, ProFlex 7251 fully coated gloves provide Level A5 protection with superior grip and water/oil resistance. ProFlex 7061 PU coated gloves are touchscreen capable while providing Level A6 cut resistance.

“Cut-resistant gloves are important in reducing injuries, but accidents don’t stop at the wrist,” Skemp observes. “If a job requires a cut-resistant glove, the worker most likely should be wearing a cut-resistant sleeve too. Unfortunately, a lot of the feedback we’ve got from worksites attests that many available sleeves aren’t really that great at doing their job, or if they do, they’re not super comfortable. Common frustrations are that they either ride up and leave the wrist area exposed or start sliding down the arm at the biceps area.”

Ergodyne’s new sleeves are designed to resolve this with thumb holes, pre-curved elbows and adjustment straps on the upper arm. ProFlex 7991 cut sleeves have Level A9 cut resistance and a secure, breathable fit, while for those facing heat exposure, the ProFlex 7951 sleeves have A5 cut resistance and EN407 Level 1 heat protection for handling hot materials (to 100°C for up to 15 seconds).

Knee injuries can also end careers prematurely, yet many workers opt out of knee pads due to them being cumbersome and uncomfortable. The new ProFlex 575 non-marring knee pads feature a three-layer foam system and ergonomic design with a pre-curved cap which fits more naturally with the knee shape, providing cushioning and stability whether walking, crawling or kneeling, preventing wear and tear on joints over time.

According to the National Safety Council, workplace injuries cost US employers an estimated $171 billion annually, impacting productivity, healthcare and wages. By integrating advanced protection and worker-driven design, Ergodyne is ensuring stringent safety standards are met with products that are wearable for entire shifts.

www.ergodyne.com