Box Cutter Safety Tips Best Practices | ReviewNight.com

Box cutter safety tips come in handy when you have to train new employees working for you or when you use them at home. According to the Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA), there's more cutting incidents at the workplace than reported. In 2004, an employee in California had to deal with the horrific pain to her wrist and forearm because of a "slip" with a box cutter while working on the production line. Cutting into a box from right to left, the box cutter became "caught on something inside the box." She began "to pull forcefully on the box cutter and when it finally broke free, the cutter struck her left wrist and forearm. She was taken to the ER and her "median nerve in her left forearm" was worked on.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

How to Use Box Cutters and Knives

Improper use of utility knives can lead to accidents. Here's a simple punch-list on safely using box cutters and knives for personal use or for work.

Here's the Top 5 best box cutter

This red and white, multi-hand tool is organized with various toolls built-in it. One of the sturdier of the fastback knives on the market. Such tools are wire cutters, wire stripper, and gut hook for instance. It's five times faster is the tool free-blade changer. You can also cut wire without even opening up the knife when using the wire cutters. The wire stripper has has a 10-gauge wire-integrated "gut hook" This utility knife is the Milwaukee 48-22-1901 Fastback Flip Open Utility Knife and used for multi industries. It's organizing tool comes with one blade and has a storage area for only one blade as well.

Pros
Fast and quick to open with one push of the button.
Cons
One blade included plus there's 1-blade storage (avg. 12 can be brought for under $14).

The Irvin Self-Retracting safety knife is sturdy, with an aluminum handle. It's packed with 3 blades, which is inside the handle. Although, this is for the safety of the operator. The design makes it secured when it's locked close. One cutter safety tip is that the design is meant to work as a true utility knife, in order to take on various jobs. Versatile blade with the tradition knife safety mechanisms. It's designed to operate in it's two known positions, which is a 2mm extension for the box cutter and full extension. But one push of With the quick-change button, the locking mechanism is snapped shut. The blade slides smoothly which allows them to pop in the replacements in just a few seconds. The fact that the mechanism can only be propped out when the 45° angle. The reason helps prevent injuries and lacertations for instance.

Pros
- With the interlocking nose design it reduces blade getting wobbly.
- Ergonomically correct when it comes to the snugged fit for a hand and one hand grip.
- This particular knife normally makes the operator pull out the blade to change it. It does return it safely back to the original position when it's changed out.
- Thereby reducing injuries, it's faster to change which makes it quicker to get back to work.
- Includes 3 blades (blades shipped inside the handle for safety) Thumb ledge increases cutting control
- A finger-guard which is over blade makes it safer to handle.

The silver Gerber knife is cheap in price and very useful for both men and women. It'll help you solve multiple problems. It's short and small fitting perfectly into any pocket or purse. One of the most noticeable features is the weight which is very light. It's also looks like the classic utility cutter. Safe and secure, when you get one of the these types of Gerber knives, you'll see how handy it's come in for you. The pocket clip helps with the useful of money and the liner lock construction keeps the blade safely opened or close.

One of the main benefits is that the safety feature is worry-free because operator wouldn't have to think about the liner lock construction which will not open on it's own nor close. Therefore you can apply pressure on it. Another benefit which is often overlooked is that the measurements are prime for women because of the small size. The overall length is 4.1 inch and when it's closed, the length is 2.4 inch.

The utility knife has the ability to act as a keychain and bottle opener. This yellow and silver stainless steel multi-purpose knife , it holds one standard blade. In addition, since it takes the standard blade, you wouldn't have a problem changing out the blades, but you do need a screwdriver to do it. Very lightweight at less than 1 lb.! It's slim. Dimensions are 6 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches and the size is 3/16″ x 13/16" x 3 1/8",

One of the cutter safety tips is seen in this knife and that's because of the safety position it has the ability to be in when it's closed or open. It has a safety secured area where when it's closed, it doesn't retract back when not in use. Naturally, this is where the cutter safety tip fall under. It also has a clip on to wear on your clothing. The operator can use it for cutting wire. In addition the operator will be able to carry it on their belt if they need to.

Box Cutter Safety Tips to Follow While Using a Box Cutter

Shorten the blade

By shortening the blade, you can reduce the risk of injury. Long blades are riskier to use because of the length. Trimming the blade will reduce the risk of lacerations on the surface of the skin.

Always point away from body and face. One of the basic rule is work your hand with the blade "horizontal and outward. Do not do a vertical plane, you should go left right or vice versa. Avoid working with others so no one interferes with you while working with a blade, knife, or box cutter.

Retract Fully When Not in Use

Retract the blade or box cutter if you aren't using it. You don't want anyone to get into your tool box and put their hand in it only to find out you left you box cutter open. Practicing safety while using knives should be a main priority. It may be a good idea to pay extra attention to the common practices on how to use utility knives safely. For instance, when you use a knife for work or need to use it as a tool for a home project, make sure its sharp and not dull, rusted, or too old to use. Because of such wear and tear on a blade, it can cause the most horrific pain which comes with lacerations.

Wearing gloves is one of the most basic safety wear equipment you can use when cutting. This is another box cutter's safety tip which has saved many fingers and/or lacerations. You will get away with a slip when you ware gloves. In fact, when you wear safety gear remember them. They are made strictly to prevent sharp objects such as blades. When you get "cut-resistant gloves and sleeves ," they can prevent you from any slippage blades.

Work on a Stable Surface

Work on a stable surface or table, will not move or "wobble" when utilizing a tool such as a box cutter on surface area. This will reduce box cutter accidents such as "knicking" you hand of thumb.

Know The Laws of Using Box Cutters Safely

By remembering the high-risk of injuries to people while they use box-cutters or knives, then here's another box cutter safety tip which shouldn't go unnoticed. It's important to keep the rules and laws of using box cutters in mind all the time you use them. Any construction company as an industry leader will train their employees how to use the tool properly. If its deemed high risk for injury by the standards of OSHA, it's the company's responsibility to train their workers on the safety tips for box cutters and knives immediately.

One thing to know is everything about your box cutter or knife that you use in the industry. Know the in's and out's of the tool. The one you pick is the one you want to know all about. The abilties it has, you may not need them, or you may but may not know how to use those tools to its fullest potential. Therefore, when buying these box cutters or knives for yourself, or for your workers, know the laws of the box cutters, and train your employees how to use them properly while having a safety meeting.

The Last Resort: First Aid for Emergency

It's important to have a first aid kit nearby your work station or at home. When you have to resort to the first aid kit because you accidentally cut your thumb or finger, retrieving it shouldn't be difficult. Keep your employees informed when it comes to first aid and emergency scenarios. It can save theirs or their coworkers lives. Besides a first aid kit, you should have all employees trained properly when they have to use any type of risky equipment or tool. Additional first-aid kits can be offered at multi-work sites since there may be a need for multiple kits for more workers.

These items are included in every first-aid kit, according to the Department of Labor and Statistics of America:

Cleaning The Wound With Your Kit's Contents

All in all, you should be able to clean a wound with your custom first aid kit. You should be able to give yourself, or someone else, the proper first aid while you wait for the medics to show up if you've called 911. In fact, it isn't a good idea to use knives and cutters on objects that are too thick for the tool to cut into. In other words, you shouldn't "force apply pressure" onto the object you're cutting into because if this happens, then a blade can break.

It can also cause you to have an increased chance of hurting yourself as you are working with a utility tool. Then, it can make the object you are cutting slip, or move a little. As a result of this movement, this random chain of events can cause your hand to slip towards the knife, thus, cutting yourself.

Conclusion

We've recommended the safest way to keep yourself from harm's way while also recommending the top 5 best box cutters on the market. Our safety tips come from those who regularly purchase these tools for their workplace or for home projects. The experts in the construction, health, and safety industry find these box cutter safety tips and practice them until it's second nature.

Each tip is recommended for your careful consideration and were designed to help you choose the best box cutter you'll benefit at work or in special projects at home.  You may need to use a tool like these at home or work, so hopefully you take these basic rules, tips, and methods into consideration when using a blade, or box cutter. Showing how to use them the proper way can be summed up in five words: "Cut boxes, not your fingers."