PIP Consumables Catalogue JULY 2024 ED1 DIGITAL V3 - Flipbook - Page 268
PRO CHOICE SAFETY GEAR
MINIMISING HAND INJURIES
IN THE WORKPLACE
Hands have always been human9s greatest tools, constantly in the oring line of the
elements and risks.
This is true for workers everyday especially for those in
manufacturing, construction and mining who are most likely
to sufer hand injuries. However, all industries can beneot from
taking precaution and following best safety practices.
HAND AND WRIST INJURIES ACCOUNT FOR 38%
OF ALL OCCUPATIONAL INCIDENTS THAT LEAD
TO HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS1
According to Kinnect Australia the most common injuries relate
to thumbs and ongers.
Most hand injuries are caused from operating machinery or
interacting with power tools. Improper handling of tools,
like knives, can be one of many reasons for such injuries.
Safety knives are simple and valuable tools in the workplace
that are utilised in warehousing, construction, food processing
and retail among others. Although according to the
Queensland Government, young workers, speciocally 15-24
year olds, are the most at risk for injury caused by knives, with
one-third of all their injuries being cuts.2
The common causes for these types of injuries come from
improper use. Knives are often not kept sharp and/or
improperly used. In addition, people sometimes do not wear
the correct protective equipment nor use the right cutting tool
for the task at hand.3
Given the amount of caution workers should take with knives,
it9s important to choose a safety knife that will ot the task
being conducted. Knife selection is critical for safe and
efective use to get the job done. Other considerations also
include the weight, ergonomics as well as longevity of the blade.
CHOOSING
A KNIFE
Dual Action Safety Knife
Concealed Knife
Dual Action Safety Knives are those that allow the blade to
retract once pressure is released from the blade even if the
blade trigger is still engaged. This is achieved with a second
spring mechanism. Knives like these have long been ofered as
ambidextrous.
A concealed knife is one that has no open blade. This range
is the safest to use and the Ronsta Team9s orst option as it is
extremely diïcult to get injured.
Single Action Safety Knives
RONSTA KNIVES
The most popular knives in the market, the Single Action
Safety Knives have self-retracting blades through a spring
technology. This single spring technology allows the blade to
retract once the trigger mechanism is released.
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Using the knife properly and engaging the blade, one then
simply needs to take the thumb of the knife trigger. This will
allow the blade to retract once the cut is onished and the
pressure is removed from the knife blade. If a worker leaves
the thumb on the trigger after the cut is onished the blade will
remain engaged and therefore can possibly cause an injury.
This is why proper use of knives and cutting applications are
paramount when in use. Safety knives typically have many
variations depending on the price and size so you can have
premium and economical choices. Likewise, ambidextrous
options exist.
Hidden behind a guard for limited exposure it comes in a
variety of sizes. Usually having a hook or beak-shaped guide
that can cut olm, shrink wraps, tape, strapping and cardboard.
Utility Knives
Utility Knives have more blade exposure and can be used for
both household and industrial purposes. It is considered an
all-around tool and can cut through diferent materials like
wood, rubber, paper, plastic, among others.
There are typically two types of Utility Knives. Manual
Retractable and Fixed Blade Knives. Manual Retractable
Knives have blades that remain exposed when the trigger is
released. The blade remains exposed and does not retract on
it9s own like Dual Action and Single Action Knives.
These knives are often left alone with the blades exposed
which is a common accident in the workplace.
Fixed Blade knives have no retraction at all meaning the blade
is constantly exposed. Common in the nooring market, these
are the most dangerous of all knives. A utility knife often has
the option to replace its blades easily.
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