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ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES DIVISIONJUNE 19, 2012

CUT PREVENTION AWARENESS

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CUT PREVENTION• Cuts are a leading cause of accidents in EETD.• Cuts are mainly caused by any of these:

– Knives– Broken glassware– Razor blades– Sharp work surfaces

• Improper use of sharp tools, defective equipment, and not paying attention are all factors that contribute to cut injuries.

• Cuts involving hands and fingers are never more than a few millimeters away from a disabling injury to tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.

• Cut injuries ARE preventable!

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KNIFE SAFETY TIPS• Keep knife blades sharp. If your knife is sharp, it

will slide through what you are cutting with little force involved.

• Don’t cut with the sharp edge towards you or your fingers. Cut away from your body.

• Use a designated cutting mat for frequent cutting jobs.

• Don’t leave loose blades on tables or bench tops.– Store razor blades in a labeled box when not in use.– Immediately dispose of used removable blades in a proper

sharps container.• Don’t leave sharp knives and blades loose in a

drawer or tool box. Someone might reach in!• When carrying sharp tools, keep the cutting edge

or sharp point toward the floor.– Cover or shroud sharp points or edges when carrying.

• If you drop a knife, stand back and let it fall. Don’t try to catch it!

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BROKEN GLASS SAFETY TIPS• In the event of a broken glass container:

– Clean-up with a dust pan and broom– Do not use bare hands. If needed, wear gloves.– Place pieces in a designated broken glass receptacle.

• Keep glass containers secured so that they cannot easily fall or get knocked over. Use slip resistant mats or trays.

• If the container held hazardous materials, chemical spill cleanup procedures must be followed. Call X6999 if needed.

• In the event the glassware contained mercury, DO NOT cleanup. Call X6999 for assistance.

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SHARPS SAFETY TIPS• Use needles or syringes only when there is no

other alternative. • Needles must not be bent, sheared, broken, or

removed from disposable syringes.• Use syringes that re-sheathe the needle or select

a needless system for the task whenever possible.

• Promptly dispose of sharps in a designated sharps disposal container.

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One-Handed Scoop Method• If re-sheathing or mechanical re-capping devices

are not an option, use the “one-handed scoop method” for capping sharps.

• Place the cap on the bench top and “scoop” it up with the sharp, keeping your free hand out of the way.

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Cut First Aid• In the event you are cut:

– Stop the bleeding- Use gentle pressure– Clean the wound- Rinse with clean water– Cover the wound- Bandage or gauze

• Seek medical attention immediately through Health Services in Building 26. Call X6266.

• Notify your supervisor of the injury.• Health Services will initiate an Accident Report. • Follow all recommendations given by the

physician or nurse to prevent infection.

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EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO DO!

Straight Edge BladeNot Properly Stored

Loose Glassware in Drawer Can Break!

Poorly Stored Xacto Knife. Blade Pointing Out!