Technology is always progressing and moving products forward. The safety knife industry is no different. First, fully automatic retractable knives developed in the late 90's made lacerations much less likely to happen. (More about that in a different article of mine.) 

Proper cutting techniques can reduce and eliminate lost time from accidents and increase productivity.

Knife safety training for employees has a great return on investment for companies where employees utilize knives on a regular basis. Companies may have to invest more in the beginning, but the savings they reap from safety trainings and the benefit of knowing that their employees are safe is always worth it. To understand how much the savings will be, you must know exactly how much knife injuries cost companies. The cost of lacerations and injuries from knives add up because employers are paying for the injured workers to have the injuries treated, for their hospital bills, for the days the employees are out of work, and sometimes for lawsuits. According to OSHA, the average cost per claim for a direct or indirect laceration injury is $36,472. The National Safety Council reported that over 1 million hand injuries occur each year in the United States and 63% of these are from knife lacerations. On top of that, there are 2.4 million hospital visits from cutting or piercing instruments. The main reason so many knife injuries occur in the workplace is because employees are not properly trained on how to use their cutting tools or on the safety precautions they should take while utilizing them.

Many workplace injuries are caused by a lack of focus while on the job. Whether you are operating heavy machinery, driving a vehicle, or using cutting tools, you are far more likely to make a mistake when the task you are doing does not have your full attention. Workers who utilize potentially hazardous tools and equipment are more likely to be injured when they are not 100% focused. There are many reasons why workers may not be fully focused, but one of the main reasons is lack of sleep. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation inhibits cognitive functions, such as alertness and attention. It can cause slow responsiveness and a wake state of instability. Attention lapses, “brief moments of inattentiveness”, are the main reasons for a decrease in cognitive function due to sleep deprivation. Imagine trying to operate potentially dangerous tools or equipment, such as a knife, with brief moments of inattentiveness. A worker may accidentally slice a finger or drop the knife onto their foot. The possibilities are endless. 

Every safety knife has different advantages depending on its use. Having different types of knives for your cutting needs is not only going to make you and your employees more efficient, but it is also a safety precaution. Using the wrong knife often leads to cuts and lacerations in the work place. At Martor USA, we offer a diverse collection of knives that vary in what materials they should be used for. Whether you are purchasing safety knives from Martor USA or anywhere else, it is critical that you are purchasing the correct knives for their unique use. Here are our recommendations of the top features a knife should have for the following cutting purposes.