At a fast-paced manufacturing facility, frequent minor cuts and occasional serious injuries had become routine. To break the cycle, the EHS Manager introduced HexArmor’s Helix® HexAir™ 3051 gloves, offering lightweight dexterity and A4 cut protection with a flexible, breathable design. Read more about how the switch was well-received by workers and quickly proved effective – helping the facility see a 50% drop in laceration and abrasion injuries.

The challenge: Frequent first-aid injuries during routine tasks

At a busy manufacturing facility, the safety team was facing a frustrating trend: minor cuts and lacerations had become a regular part of daily operations. During material handling and high-risk tasks, such as roll-mill blade changes, workers were using general-purpose gloves that couldn’t withstand the hazards, offering little protection against cuts or abrasions.

“We were using gloves that just weren’t designed for the types of hazards our team faced,” said the site’s EHS Manager. “First-aid injuries were so common, they started to feel routine – and every now and then, we’d see something more serious that required stitches.”

It was clear the team needed a better PPE solution to break the cycle.

The solution: Glove technology that protects and performs

Drawing on prior experience with HexArmor® at another facility, the EHS Manager introduced HexArmor® gloves to the plant, specifically the Helix® HexAir™ 3051, a 21-gauge glove that blends lightweight, high dexterity with ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 A4-level cut resistance. What’s special about this glove? It delivers an industry-first, four-way stretch design that delivers a custom fit and unrestricted movement.

The fit and comfort of the 3051 made it an instant hit with employees, who appreciated the flexibility and breathability during long shifts. More importantly, it offered the right level of cut protection for the work at hand – without slowing anyone down.

Real results: Injury prevented, safety culture improved

The turning point came during a recent roll-mill blade change, a task that had previously resulted in lacerations requiring stitches. Thanks to the Helix® 3051 glove, the worker walked away with only a minor first-aid injury.

“That could have been multiple stitches,” said the EHS Manager. “Instead, it was just a bandage – and a powerful reminder of what the right glove can do.”

Since adopting the 3051 and other HexArmor® gloves, the facility has seen over a 50% reduction in laceration and abrasion injuries year over year.

The takeaway: Right-fit PPE makes all the difference

“The 3051s changed the game for us,” the EHS Manager added. “We finally have a glove that our team wants to wear, and that actually protects them. The combination of comfort and protection made it easy to get buy-in across the site.”

When asked what he’d say to other companies considering HexArmor®?