Cutting Boxes Correctly

Working for a good company means working for a safe company. Sometimes safety can mean working with tools that can cause harm but end up actually causing fewer accidents in teh long run. It sounds strange but that is why knives and utility knives are used in warehouses consistently. It is simply the best tool for the job and can save a lot of money and keep your staff. What helps to do this is a good set of rules for operating tools and for keeping them in the best shape possible. That is why I make sure to have a great manual for bladed tools in my warehouse and it has allowed me to keep injuries to a very low number over the years and I simply wanted to go over a few highlights to help you out with your staff as well.

The number one rule in my warehouse is that if you have a balded tool that it is sharp. There is nothing less safe than a dull blade being used. Many people freak out right then and there over this concept until I explain the physics behind using dull blade versus a sharp one and how much effort is put in and all the accidents that can happen due to more force being used on a dull blade and having slipped and over-penetration happen. The safety issues from having a sharp blade saved are amazing and have lowered our insurance over the years.

How I tell and help my staff keep sharp blades is in two different areas. If they are using a utility knife then I provide blades and guidelines to replace them after so many cuts of different items. Each station has a different task they do for the most part and I give some decent guidelines on how many days apart they should change blades. If they are using a fixed blade or a regular knife I give them a chart on good knife steels and how long they should sharpen between uses as well. I also provide a sharpening device that even the dumbest human could use. That including myself and that is part of it. I want things to be easy and for them to be safe. So simple is simply good. When my employees are opening packaging supplies I want them to be able to get into them and not damage any goods or themselves.

Now another good tip for the warehouse is to always cut away from themselves. This comes into play this time of year when we get so many extra packaging supplies in that they have to cut through due to very high inventory. It can be really easy to not think about what you are doing and cut towards yourself or another employee. At the beginning of the day, I make a joke about it and also let them know I will be playing the worst kind of music in the car ride to the hospital if they get cut. So it is a good reminder each day during the busy season. Because we all need it and myself included. And that is part of the best advice is to follow it yourself and to be apart of the solution as well. I find it fun to live and be with my employees on all levels.