The ultimate guide to workplace hand safety
September 13, 2023
By OLFA for the Blue Print
By OLFA for the Blue Print
Did you know that in 2021, there were over 148,000 hand injuries reported at work, and over 56% of those injuries were due to cuts, lacerations or punctures? This is why work safety is a critical element in a worker’s everyday life. It entails providing a safe work environment, secure procedures, and the right equipment to ensure employees’ health and safety. This is especially true when it comes to utility knives, as they are necessary tools in many workplaces, and used in a variety of industries.
A safe and healthy workplace not only protects workers from injury and illness, it can also lower injury costs, reduce turnover, increase productivity and raise employee morale. In 2020, there were over 59,400 medical claims filed for hand injuries from cuts and lacerations, with an all claim average of $42,008. In addition to these costs, there are other indirect costs associated with work safety: from wages not covered by worker’s compensation, wage charges related to time lost, employee retraining, replacement costs, to administrative time for accident reporting. But how do you ensure work safety? In this article, we are going to outline the recommended safety tips and tools that will decrease the chances of getting injured while at work.
1. Use the right toolsEvery tool is unique and built for specific tasks. Using ergonomically well-designed tools that feature appropriate handles, blades or locking mechanisms can be key in ensuring work safety.
2. Learn safety tipsOnce you have safety knives in your tool belt, it’s important that you learn how to use them properly. Each safety knife comes with specific instructions, although there are some rule-of-thumb guidelines that should always be followed:
Learning how to handle your tools will ensure you can always work efficiently, while being safe. 3. Maintain your knives properlyWhen workers use a dull knife, they must exert additional force each time they cut, which can cause them to lose control of the tool and hurt themselves. That’s why it’s important to keep safety knives sharp and well-maintained.
Many safety knives feature mechanisms that allow for easy blade changes: from a simple change of the blade position to expose a fresh blade edge, to an easy flip of the blade. To ensure ongoing safety, all discarded blades also need to be placed in a safe storage container. Failing to follow these safety guidelines could turn one of your most used (and loved) tool into a hazard. No matter how experienced you are or what you’re using your knife for, it’s important to always remember the basics of knife handling and safety— so you can cut and work with confidence.
Content originally from OLFA. Reused here with permission. Vertical Divider
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