EHS Focus Topic - Hand and Finger Safety_Knives v1

EHS Focus Topic – Hand & Finger Safety – Knives

Department/s: Date: Presenter:

Shift/s: Day  Afternoon  Night 

Hand & Finger Risk

There is a high risk of serious injury when using knives.
Parts & Services statistics show 43% of all injuries are below the wrist, which is unacceptable
and preventable.
• Hands do not come with a spare parts department & safety is not a rehearsal.
• Hands and fingers are not replaceable, and we depend on them daily in all aspects of our lives.
• It is up to you to actually use your supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and correct

knife in the correct manner.

Choosing a Knife

When it comes to choosing a quality knife, the below should be taken into consideration :-
• Choose a self-retracting model
• Heavy Duty/Good Quality
• Is the knife fit for purpose?
• Is the blade sharp? (no nicks/chips)
• Is casing solid?
• Are locking/retracting functions working smoothly?

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EHS Focus Topic – Hand & Finger Safety – Knives

Gloves

Workers raise all type of objections, from the age-old “I can do a better job without gloves” to :-
• “Gloves get in the way of good grip” or
• “Wearing gloves makes my hands sweaty and slippery.”
The Employer has the responsibility of safety at the workplace and if wearing of gloves is in accordance with the site safety rules then these rules
must be obeyed.
Wearing gloves whilst carrying out other tasks not involving cutting is risk based and when using certain hand tools will help prevent serious injuries.
Safety gloves are worn to protect, but while some gloves only provide a barrier against dirt, pathogens and body fluids, others can also shield you
from pricks, punctures and cuts.
Other tasks where gloves are recommended to be used are opening and closing crates, using strapping machines, chains, etc, where there is a risk
of cuts and scratches, pinches on nails, screws and pinch points that are hidden dangers.
When choosing protective gloves, consider the :-
• Purpose of the gloves

• The level of cut resistance required

• Availability at the workplace
Gloves are only as good as the Safety Culture on site. If you won’t use them to protect your hands and fingers, then you risk permanent injury or
disablement.

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EHS Focus Topic – Hand & Finger Safety – Knives

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