JE Dunn Construction Case Study
How the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP Set a New Standard for Hand Protection
JE Dunn Construction Case Study
How the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP Set a New Standard for Hand Protection
The challenge: Protecting hands without compromising performance
The original version of this case study was published on the HexArmor website.
On a high-rise construction site in Austin, Texas, JE Dunn Construction was facing two closely connected challenges: Workers needed reliable protection from everyday hand hazards, while the gloves they were using had to be replaced far too frequently.
Crews were working with gloves that met the required Ansi A4 cut resistance level (comparable to cut resistance level D in accordance with the EN ISO standard). However, their durability did not match the demands of the jobsite. In some cases, each worker went through one pair of gloves per day, resulting in a high replacement rate and unnecessary PPE expenditure.
The issue extended beyond wear life. Employees regularly encountered impact and pinch hazards when handling tools, operating saws, moving materials, or reaching into confined and obstructed spaces. Strikes from hammers and limited visibility of hand placement added to the risk. JE Dunn therefore needed a glove that could combine dependable protection, durability, visibility, grip, and dexterity.
Putting different glove solutions to the test
In 2022, HexArmor conducted an on-site safety demonstration at the project site. As part of the evaluation, JE Dunn employees tested several Helix® series gloves, including models that had not yet been officially released to the market. At the same time, established glove solutions and products from competing manufacturers were also assessed. In this direct comparison, the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP quickly emerged as the preferred choice, with workers clearly favoring it over the alternatives.
The solution: High visibility meets impact protection
The HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP brought together the characteristics the teams were looking for:
- High-visibility materials to support better awareness of hand positioning
- Flexible honeycomb protection elements across the back of the hand
- Reliable grip for handling tools and construction materials
- A reinforced thumb area designed for demanding applications
- Ansi A6 cut resistance (EN ISO: cut level F), exceeding JE Dunn’s original A4 requirement
- A thin and flexible construction supporting dexterity and comfort
The flexible impact protection helped shield the back of the hand without unnecessarily limiting movement. At the same time, the reinforced thumb patch proved more durable than comparable components on competing gloves, some of which had begun to detach after only a short period of use.
For Project Safety Manager Quinn Donathan, the combination of a slim design and excellent dexterity put the glove into a performance category of its own. He described the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP as the “Lamborghini of safety gloves.”
The results: Fewer replacements and greater worker confidence
The side-by-side trials delivered convincing results. JE Dunn ultimately standardized the Helix® 3014IMP as its general-purpose safety glove and made it the only glove of this type available through the company’s internal catalog.
Compared with the gloves previously used, the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP achieved a service life that was two to three times longer. Longer wear life also reduced the number of replacement gloves required, helping JE Dunn lower its overall PPE expenditure. The gloves remained in use for so long that odor became the crews’ only notable complaint. As the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP is washable, laundering can help extend its usable life even further.
The company also noted fewer hand injuries associated with impact and pinch hazards. Comfort, flexibility, and grip contributed to greater confidence among workers and supported consistent glove use.
More than just a cut rating
The experience at JE Dunn demonstrates that selecting the right safety glove involves more than meeting a required protection level. Real-world performance depends on how effectively a glove combines protection, durability, visibility, dexterity, grip, and comfort.
By exceeding the initial cut-resistance requirement while lasting considerably longer than the previous solutions, the HexArmor Helix® 3014IMP helped JE Dunn strengthen hand protection and reduce replacement costs at the same time.
