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Knife Safety In The Workplace Online Interactive Training

16 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1910.132 - PPE General Requirements; 29 CFR 1910.138 - Hand Protection
Quick Answer

Knife Safety in the Workplace is a 16-minute online course that trains employees on safe industrial knife handling techniques, proper knife selection, and laceration prevention strategies. It is designed for workers in warehousing, manufacturing, food processing, and any industry where industrial knives are used and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Lacerations from knives and cutting tools are among the most common and costly workplace injuries in industries that rely on manual cutting tasks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that cuts and lacerations account for tens of thousands of recordable injuries each year, with hands and fingers being the most frequently affected body parts. The average workers' compensation claim for a serious hand laceration can exceed $7,000 in direct costs, and severe cuts involving tendons, nerves, or arteries can result in permanent disability and claims exceeding $50,000.

This course trains your employees on the specific knife safety rules that prevent cuts and lacerations in industrial settings. Your team will learn about selecting the right knife for the task, proper cutting techniques that keep hands and fingers away from the blade path, the importance of maintaining sharp blades (dull knives require more force and increase the risk of slippage), and when to use cut-resistant gloves. The course explains why hand and finger injuries from knives are so damaging and what every employee can do to protect themselves.

What You'll Learn

  • Proper knife selection for different workplace cutting tasks
  • Safe cutting techniques that protect hands and fingers from the blade path
  • The relationship between blade sharpness and injury risk
  • Cut-resistant glove selection and proper use
  • Safe storage, carrying, and passing procedures for knives
  • Retractable blade safety knives and when to use them
  • First aid response for knife lacerations

Who Needs This Training

  • Warehouse workers who use box cutters and utility knives for shipping and receiving
  • Food processing and preparation employees using commercial knives daily
  • Manufacturing workers using industrial cutting tools on production lines
  • Retail employees who unpack merchandise using knives and box cutters
  • Maintenance workers who use knives for cutting insulation, strapping, and packaging
  • Supervisors responsible for enforcing safe knife handling practices

Regulatory Background

While OSHA does not have a specific standard dedicated to knife safety, employers are required to protect workers from laceration hazards under the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) and the PPE standards. Under 29 CFR 1910.132, employers must conduct a hazard assessment and provide appropriate protective equipment, which includes cut-resistant gloves when employees face laceration risks. The hand protection standard at 29 CFR 1910.138 specifically requires employers to select hand protection that addresses identified hazards including severe cuts and lacerations. OSHA can and does cite employers for failing to protect workers from knife-related laceration hazards. Serious violations carry penalties of up to $16,550 per citation. Employers should establish clear knife safety policies, provide appropriate cutting tools, require cut-resistant PPE where warranted, and train all employees who use knives as part of their job duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.138, employers must conduct a hazard assessment and provide appropriate hand protection when employees face laceration hazards. If the assessment identifies knife-related cut risks, the employer must provide cut-resistant gloves at no cost to employees. The appropriate ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance level depends on the type of knife, the cutting task, and the materials being cut.
A dull blade requires the operator to apply significantly more force to make a cut. This additional force increases the likelihood that the blade will slip off the material and into the worker's hand or body. A sharp blade cuts cleanly with less force, giving the operator better control. Employers should establish a blade replacement or sharpening schedule and train employees to recognize when a blade needs replacement.
Retractable or self-retracting blade knives significantly reduce laceration risk by automatically retracting the blade when the user releases the slide mechanism. OSHA encourages the use of safer cutting tools as an engineering control. Employers should evaluate whether retractable blade knives can replace fixed blade knives for each cutting task, as this substitution eliminates one of the most common causes of knife injuries - exposed blades during carrying and handling.
Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to control bleeding. Elevate the injured hand above heart level if possible. Do not remove embedded objects. If bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure, or if the cut involves tendons, nerves, or arteries (indicated by inability to move fingers, numbness, or spurting blood), the worker needs immediate emergency medical treatment. All significant lacerations should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Knives should be stored in designated holders, sheaths, or racks that protect the blade and prevent accidental contact. Retractable blade knives should have blades fully retracted. Knives should never be left loose in toolboxes, drawers, or on work surfaces where someone could reach in and contact the blade. Each employee should have their own designated knife to encourage proper maintenance and accountability.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person