Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe Jim, I have had this problem many times in the past, and there really is nothing like a stanley (or similar maker) knife that works as well as a stanley knife does. The risks of sitting on whilst in pocket with the blade exposed is one that i have crossed by sourcing a safety version of the knife that relies on pressure to keep the blade out and in use, the moment you let go the blade retracts into a safety positon. I have not had to do this for some time but i hope that this will point you in a search direction.

Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe http://www.diytools.co.u...uct.asp?iProductID=29891 hope this helps

Posted By Smiff I tried introducing safer knifes, but people resisted them and kept stashes of fixed blade knifes. SO. I issued one person with a retracting stanley type knife that came on a fancy leather belt holster. After he's swaggered around the factory for a day or so I was inundated with demands for "one a them fancy noifs" So I suggested a deal; A knife amnesty, with ANY dangerous knifes found on the line thereafter being a disciplinary offence - in return for a retracting knife and holster for anyone requesting it. It seemed expensive, but it fixed the problem overnight, cut injuries went to zero, and over time it saved money since people looked after and didn't lose their "badge of honour" knife.

Posted By Martin Taylor We operate in the plastics manufacturing field and use the fixed Stanley type knives extensively for removing flash from moulded parts After introducing Dyneema style (Cut level 3 resistance) gloves we dramatically reduced the instance of cuts as well as reducing the severity of cuts. It has taken some time but it is now normal practice for anybody holding a knife to be wearing correct gloves. Other things to look at are safe storage of knife when not being used - e.g. on the workbench and we encourage the knife to be sheathed whenever it is not being used. We have also change the style of blade from a pointed end to a curved end which has also reduced the number of puncture type injuries. One other option which has not been too succesful for us but may apply in other areas of plastic 'shaving' are ceramic blades - these are readily available from plastics manufacturing supply companies hope that this helps Martin

Posted By Carrell Jim, we are also in the plastics industry and have implemented almost the same as Martin - gloves. Our accident stats show that when we clamp down on ensuring gloves are worn and the procedure of trimming away from yourself is followed there are hardly any cuts (only extremely minor nicks if so). Some of our longer term employees still have the curly ceramic blades from past tests and use these for jobs where possible - perhaps look at having a supply of these handy as well.

Posted By craig davies Have you considered uusing retractable stanley knives? This way the blade is out of sight when no in use.

Posted By The toecap We did a tolbox talk on them and made the guys wear kevlar gloves when using stanley knives. This reduced the number of slashes.