Utility Knife Safety

Utility knives are a handy tool used by construction and trade workers on jobsites throughout the country. Commonly, this knife consists of a handle with a retractable razor blade. Because of the frequent use, injuries caused by utility knives are a common occurrence.

Hazardous to your health
The greatest hazard from using a utility knife is getting cut. This happens because the following reasons:
• The blade is not retracted and the user forgets that.
• The knife slips off the material being cut. This can occur because of improper force (too little or too much) being applied to the material.
• The material shifts while being cut and the blade injures the user.
• The razor blade breaks and strikes the worker. This sometimes happens when the razor blade is dull and the user has to exert excessive force to cut the material.
• The worker cuts toward his or her body and is injured when the blade slips or breaks.
• The user is not watching the blade when performing the cut and is injured when it strikes some part of his or her body.
• While changing out a dull or broken blade, the worker is cut by the dull blade or by the new blade.

How to avoid being injured
• What can you do to prevent being injured while using a utility knife? Follow these basic rules when using a utility knife:
• Retract the razor blade into the handle when not using the knife.
• Replace the razor blade when it becomes dull or broken.
• Make sure the material being cut is held securely so it can’t shift or move.
• Concentrate on the material to be cut and watch the blade at all times.
• Apply a consistent, firm (but not excessive) pressure while performing the cut.
• Always cut away from your body, rather than toward it.
• Be careful when changing dull or damaged blades.
• Dispose of blades in a safe manner. Put them in a metal container if possible.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency