Tools that are essential for Knife Safety in the Workplace
Knife safety prevents injury and increases productivity, which is why tools like safety box cutters, holsters, and other protective items are essential in an environment where knives are used every day.
Proper knife safety prevents injuries, cuts, lacerations, or any other type of injury that can occur when using a knife.
While box cutters and safety knives are designed to protect the people using them, it is still essential to have a full grasp of knife safety in the workplace to minimize the risk of injury.
Here’s everything you need to know about tools that are essential for safe cutting in the workplace.
Training for Knife Safety in the Workplace
Proper knife safety training ensures that employees understand how to select the right level of knife for a cutting task. Training also educates employees about the importance of using the proper protective equipment, blade disposal, and storage of knives.
Knives are extremely valuable tools to use in the workplace but are also very dangerous - which is why knife safety training is essential. Training should involve safe knife practices, disposal, maintenance, and how to identify unsafe knives.
MARTOR Australia offers customers a wide range of free training materials to ensure the proper use of knives in the workplace, including training videos, training posters, and a toolbox talk handout on safe knife use in the workplace.
You can learn more about training for the safe use of knives here.
Selecting the Right Knife
Selecting the right knife for a cutting task plays a crucial role in preventing unnecessary injury. A knife that is too big or too small can cause slips, workplace accidents, cuts, lacerations, or other injuries.
Many factors play into knife selection: the blade size, edge, handle, weight, knife type, flexibility, and more.
Choosing the right safety knife isn't as simple as it sounds. You also have to consider the materials you are cutting (carpet, cardboard, leather, etc.), the cutting task itself, how often you will be performing the cut, the cutting environment, etc.
Protective Equipment
Many tools play a role in safe cutting in the workplace, including personal protective equipment. Anyone handling a knife must use protective gloves and equipment for the task they are completing and the knife they are using.
Safety gloves are essential in all workplace settings that use knives. They come in many materials depending on the type of knife being used and are designed to allow maneuverability for better handling while keeping the user safe.
Blade Disposal
Knife blades can pose a significant safety hazard if you do not dispose of them properly, which is why employers must train their employees on proper blade disposal. Workers must store and dispose of blades in a sharps container that is not a garbage bin or plastic bag.
Your facility should have sharps containers specifically for knives and other sharp objects that can cause injury.
Correct Storage of Knives
When Not in Use Whether you are using a safety knife or a box cutter, you must safely store it in a belt holster while not in use. Safely storing knives prevents them from ending up in the trash or somewhere they do not belong.
Proper storage also ensures that a knife does not get damaged. It prevents unnecessary injury and makes a workplace a much safer work environment.
Belt holsters safely and conveniently carry cutting tools while they are not in use. Holsters also provide room for other tools while moving from point A to point B, including pens, blades, or more.
You can learn more about MARTOR belt holsters here.
Safe cutting in the workplace is essential to the safety of every person in the work environment. To learn more about safe cutting and knife safety in the workplace, click here.
Want to Learn More About Knife Safety in the Workplace?
MARTOR Australia’s mission is to encourage safe cutting in all workplaces. We strive to reduce accidents and encourage proper training and use of safety cutters. Our goal is to reduce injuries and increase your safety record.
If you want to learn more about knife safety in Australia and are interested in receiving the relevant training, we’re here to help. Contact us today. You can also learn more about the MARTOR Difference here.
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