Posted By Alex Ryding Hi all, last night in one of our canteens, a 7 inch boning knife was left lying around on a table. We need to take a sensible look at this, I am loathed to "knee jerk" and ban all cakes and cutting knives, but I don't want to find 18inch machetes lying around our workplace either. I was planning on something along the lines of: "Only knives for food eating are permitted to be brought onto the premises, these knives must be kept in your personal locker when not being used for food preparation. Any found lying around will be removed" We've never had an incident involving a knife, but we have had some tension and scuffles between people. Anyone had similar? I am over reacting?

Posted By neil poyznts-powell Alex, I have been involved with a similar sittuation. A memeber of staff compalined that a colleague had brought into work a 7" hunting knife. I sat down with the employee involved and advised him that the company polisy did not allow the carrying of knives, not required for working purposes. He stated tha the used the knife at work whereby I ensured he was given a tool appropriate to the job (safety knife). I also pointed out that should he be stopped and searched, on the way to or from work, by the police, they may prosecute him for carrying an offensive weapon. The employee had not realised this and the sittuation was resolved amicably. Hope this helps. Regards, Neil