WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING UTILITY SAFETY Safety Meeting Overview

The weekly safety meeting is intended to be conducted by the supervisor or lead in their small group(s). This guide contains everything that is needed to conduct a meaningful small group safety meeting. This contains the following:

 Meeting Notice

 Leaders Guide

 Employee Handout

 Meeting Sign-In Sheet

Weekly safety meetings are not optional and must be conducted each week. If an employee is absent from the training – it is the responsibility of the supervisor or lead to conduct a make-up session to ensure that all employees have been trained. Training records (meeting sign-in sheets) must be turned in to the Plant Manager each week.

PRIOR TO THE WEEKLY MEETING:

 Post the meeting notice in your area where your employees will see it.

 Read through the Leaders Guide and Employee Handout to familiarize yourself with the topic for the week

 Make copies of the employee handout (one for each employee)

AT THE SAFETY MEETING:

 Pass around the meeting sign-in sheet – ensure all employees present at the meeting print and sign their names

 Pass out the employee hand-out

 Conduct the meeting - keep the meeting simple

 Encourage discussion and questions

WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING NOTICE

THIS WEEK, OUR SAFETY MEETING WILL COVER SAFETY

SHIFT:______

TIME: ______

DATE: ______

PLACE: ______

WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING

UTILITY KNIFE SAFETY

Leaders Guide

PROCEDURE REFERENCE: 19.0: Knife Safety

MEETING OBJECTIVE: The humble utility knife – a common and useful , but hardly much of a safety hazard, right? No so, because they must be extremely sharp to do their job, utility are also extremely dangerous if not handled and stored properly.

MEETING PREPARATION: Bring a utility knife to the meeting for demonstration purposes.

Read the SSG procedure, understand the contents, and ensure compliance.

Review the employee handout to see if there are any other materials you wish to bring to the meeting.

Use a flip chart during the discussion to write key points and employee responses. This technique visually reinforces your instruction.

MATERIALS CHECKLIST: Utility Knife Flip chart and marking pens

MEETING INTRODUCTION (Hold up the sample that you brought to the meeting) The utility knife, also known as a finger cutter, a common and useful tool, but hardly much of a safety hazard, right? No so, because they must be extremely sharp to do their job, utility knives are also extremely dangerous if not handled and store properly.

Question: What’s the appropriate for the job?

Answer: That depends on what the employees are – cardboard, plastic, wood, etc.

Choose the right blade for the job. Utility knives come in many different shapes and forms, each designed for a specific purpose. Selecting the correct blade for the job is essential to ensure that they job can be completed correctly and safely.

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WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING

UTILITY KNIFE SAFETY

Leaders Guide Use the utility knife that you brought to the meeting to show the group the type of blade that you have is an example.

Question: What type of edge is best for the purpose?

Answer: Fine-edged produce a smooth, clean cut. Serrated blades are better for cutting cardboard cartons and similar packing materials.

Question: What ergonomic question should be asked when using utility knives?

Answer: Is the handle large enough to provide a secure grip? This prevents the hand from slipping forward over the blade and reduces the force required to hold the knife, which helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Question: What are the key safety items related to utility knives?

Answer: Pay attention while cutting, and store knives safely! To prevent accidents, emphasize these safe work practices:

• Always cut in a motion away from the body and away from other people. This way, if the knife slips, it won’t cut you or a person standing next to you.

• Keep the other hand, fingers, and thumbs out of the way when cutting. If you must grip the object you are cutting, cut away from your hand.

• Stay focused on the cutting job. It only takes a second of inattention with a sharp blade to produce a serious cut. Letting the mind wander or talking with others while using a knife greatly increases the risk of an accident and injury. If you are interrupted while working with a utility knife, stop cutting, retract the blade, and place the knife down on a secure surface before dealing with the interruption. Never continue cutting while distracted!

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WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING

UTILITY KNIFE SAFETY

Leaders Guide

• Store utility knives safely. Retract the blade or sheath an open blade before storing. Never, ever, leave a knife with the blade exposed on the floor, on a pallet, on a work surface, or in a drawer or cabinet.

SUMMARY: As many as one-third of all manual tool injuries have been attributed to utility knives like box cutters. Because blades need to be sharp to work effectively, they can also deliver dangerous cuts. It only takes a moment of inattention for a blade to slip and an employee to be injured. Co-workers can be injured, too. Never leave a knife lying around with an open blade. Thank you for your attention today regarding utility knives.

EMPLOYEE HANDOUT

A. Employee Handout

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WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING UTILITY KNIFE SAFETY Employee Handout

There's one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant. Meet Mr. Sharp, the utility knife.

Many workers use utility knives to cut strapping, puncture shrink-wrap and open packaging. But one wrong move and these retractable blades can do serious harm. In fact, nearly 40 percent of all injuries attributed to manual workshop in the US involve knives with retractable blades.

Many accidents involving utility knives occur for the following reasons: • Drawing the knife towards you instead of away from your body. • Working with a dull blade. (Dull blades require more pressure, increasing the potential for injury.) • Trying to cut more than the knife can handle. • Improperly storing the knife with the blade extended. • Failing to wear personal protective equipment. • Neglecting to inspect the tool before use.

There have been cases where workers have suffered injuries from exposed blade tips. This is because the blades did not completely retract into the handle. That's why it's important for workers to use the proper size blades or replace defective retraction mechanisms. SSG requires self-retracting utility knives – the blade automatically retracts into the handle when not in use.

Problems also arise when some employees don't have or can't find a utility knife supplied by the company. As a result, they tend to use whatever is handy, such as a pocket knife or other tool with a sharp edge. This can quickly turn hazardous if the tool slips or is used incorrectly.

The following are safety precautions to keep in mind when using utility knives: • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes in case a blade breaks. • Always use a sharp blade. • Wear metal mesh gloves to protect your hands. • Hand a utility knife to a co-worker with the handle first. • Consider using self-retracting blades. • Ensure the blades are properly positioned in the handle before use. • Keep extremities out of the cutting path. • Don't apply too much pressure on the blade. • Follow manufacturer’s instructions when changing blades. • Don't use utility knives to pry loose objects. • Dispose of dull or broken blades in a puncture-resistant container.

Utility knives are extremely handy on the job, but they can also be handy in causing serious injuries.

WEEKLY SAFETY MEETING UTILITY KNIFE SAFETY Meeting Sign-In Sheet

LOCATION

MEETING DATE ______MEETING CONDUCTED BY

CONTENTS OF MEETING (Attach Handouts, etc.)

ATTENDEES: Name (Print) Signature Name (Print) Signature 1 22

2 23

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6 27

7 28

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9 30

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12 33

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