TRD/Highways/TBT-TRD-026

Stanley Knives and Bladed Tools

Trade-Specific Safety › Highways › Stanley Knives and Bladed Tools

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Stanley knives and bladed tools are involved in more hand injuries than any other hand tool on site.
Common injuries include deep lacerations to fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, and thighs.
Retractable blade knives significantly reduce injury risk compared to fixed-blade types.
Many UK construction sites now mandate self-retracting safety knives as the only permitted type.
PUWER 1998 requires that work equipment is suitable, maintained, and used by competent persons.
Most blade injuries occur when cutting towards the body, using excessive force, or losing grip.
Blunt blades are more dangerous than sharp ones because they require more force to cut.
Safety knives with concealed or guarded blades should be used wherever the task allows.
Cut-resistant gloves rated to EN 388 Level 5 provide significant protection during cutting tasks.
Disposable blade knives must have used blades stored in a sharps container, not loose in bins.

Most common hand injury	Knife lacerations are the single most reported hand injury type on UK construction sites every year.
Severed tendons	A deep cut to the hand or wrist can sever tendons permanently — ending a construction career instantly.
Preventable injuries	Self-retracting safety knives and cut-resistant gloves prevent the vast majority of blade injuries.

Don't

Use a self-retracting safety knife as your standard cutting tool on site.
Cut away from your body and keep your free hand behind the cutting line.
Replace blunt blades promptly — a sharp blade requires less force and pressure.
Wear cut-resistant gloves rated EN 388 Level 5 when using bladed tools.
Store knives in a holster or pouch when not in use — never in your pocket.
Dispose of used blades in a designated sharps container, not in general waste.
Select the correct knife type for the material — use hook blades for sheet goods.
Place the material on a stable surface before cutting — never cut freehand.
Retract or sheath the blade immediately after completing each cut.
Attend first aid immediately for any blade cut — even minor cuts can need stitches.

DON'T use a fixed-blade knife if a retractable or safety knife can do the job.
DON'T cut towards your body, legs, or any part of yourself at any time.
DON'T carry an open blade while walking or climbing between work areas.
DON'T use a knife blade as a screwdriver, pry bar, or lever on site.
DON'T snap blades off knives without using the built-in snapping mechanism safely.
DON'T put used blades loose in your pocket, toolbox, or general waste bins.
DON'T lend your knife to someone without checking they know how to use it.
DON'T continue cutting with a blunt blade — change it before applying more force.
DON'T use excessive downward pressure — let the blade do the cutting work.
DON'T ignore a minor cut — clean it, apply a dressing, and report it.

See also: Hand Tool Safety | Glove Selection for Construction Hazards

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