Trends in ... safety tools, tethers and knives

When purchasing workplace safety tools, are you asking workers for input?

“Make sure you’re involving and empowering your team in selections about their tools and how they do their jobs,” says Cassie Donnelly, senior brand manager at OLFA North America. “We see a tendency for workers to be reluctant in accepting a safety knife program because the choice of product is not theirs. Your knife should fit the work being done, not a forced product to meet a safety guideline.”

Why else should you involve the end users?

“Safety managers and workers often express concerns about the balance between safety and tool usability,” says Nate Bohmbach, product director at Ergodyne. “Our advice is they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Truly collaborative PPE manufacturers have taken that concern and run with it, resulting in tool tethering solutions that can enhance safety without compromising tool performance. In fact, certain solutions can even improve tool usability, making them more comfortable and efficient to use.”

He added: “Finding the ‘sweet spot’ between safety and usability is key to encouraging widespread adoption … and it does exist!”

Need more help?

Donnelly pointed to a free safety audit that OLFA will conduct to evaluate all the materials being cut in your workplace and your work environment to help you find the best fit for the job tasks.

Compiled with the assistance of the International Safety Equipment Association

Coming next month:

• Facility safety
• Women’s PPE