Sad day at work

[4everYoung]

I just found out that the company I work for has now restricted our ability to carry a knife while on duty. It has been a "rule" for a while that you could have a knife but are not allowed to use it while on duty. However after some idiot sliced his hand open cutting a zip tie, the company has now issued a no carry rule. They issue us retractable box cutters that are considerably more dangerous to use because they are a awkward.
It's seems really sad to me to have to go to this extreme because of the ignorance of some.

[SteveC]

Bummer !   

[LoopCutter]

Would this include a Multi-tool?

I have work sites that restrict knives just as the TSA, with exception of utility knives. But, Certain Multi-tools are allowed.  Ex: SuperTool, Rebar, MP600, Diesel, ParaTool, MP400. No one hand openers. 


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[4everYoung]

Would this include a Multi-tool?

I have work sites that restrict knives just as the TSA, with exception of utility knives. But, Certain Multi-tools are allowed.  Ex: SuperTool, Rebar, MP600, Diesel, ParaTool, MP400. No one hand openers. 


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Yes it includes all pockets knives, folding knives, multifunction tools such as leatherman.  That's the wording they use anyway. A bladeless tool is ok to have but you could not use it while on duty. Only allows use of approved tools.

[cody6268]

Now that's a pretty dumb rule. I wouldn't even use a knife to cut a zip tie--I always use wire cutters for that.  I agree, box cutters are a bit more dangerous to use.

[ThundahBeagle]

Um, 4ever...

Sorry to hear that. Only takes one guy. Let us know when you and your coworkers are finished with that rolled up bit of carpet.

What do you do for work, then?

A private company may, of course, impose any number of restrictions on the employees, contractors, and visitors, including going completely around the unreasonable search and seizure laws, so do be careful. We don't want you to get sacked for carrying an unauthorized SAK.

[ThundahBeagle]

Yeah, I rarely would use a knife on zip-ties as well, but when I do, I try to follow that sage rule of thumb of cutting AWAY FROM yourself.

How old was this guy? First knife for him?

And I agree that box cutters are not the answer. Much thinner blade, which can shatter if torqued even a little.

I often just use PST players to remove zip-ties by grabbing the head and twisting. Or the Surge scissors.

Shame that they won't even let you use a bladeless Leatherman. Even the can opener would work for zip ties

[Douglas]

In all seriousness, I think I would have to start looking for a new Job.  I carry a minimun of two folders and an MT every day.

[Poncho65]

The problem is they see it as a weapon and not a tool Sorry to hear it buddy

[captain spaulding]

Only takes one to ruin it for everyone sadly. My company has the same rule but they do not enforce it.

[Aloha]

I've cut a bunch of zip ties with my LM Squirts wire cutters.  I can totally understand the company but to issue a box cutter as a remedy?  Why not have someone more experienced teach a knife safety course? 

[zoidberg]

Utility knife hook blades work good on zip ties. Go for the heavy duty ones if you can find them.
Even the snap off hook ones are better than straight blades.

[styx]

If they can choose the utility knife rather than being issued a generic one.

I understand the company is trying to protect itself in some way but this sounds very counterintuitive and likely won't be very productive

[lister]

Just explain to them that a human without a knife is only an emasculated monkey...     

 

[Kev D]

They did a similar thing where I work a few years back. They banned the use all knives other than the self retracting utility knife they kept in the stores.  After getting almost 3 times the injuries with the recommended one they finally listened to us and removed the rule. If they had looked at the statistics properly they would have seen it was all non engineering the younger people cutting themselves, mainly because they weren't training them how to use knives properly like the engineering apprentices are taught.  Once this was brought to their attention many many times the powers that be finally listened and started training people again.  It amazing what can happen easily if you just train people.

[hiraethus]

We have a similar policy at work now too - no blades other than the company approved 'safety' knives.

I've got a knifeless Rebar mod in my desk, and have sourced another for a cow-orker to use from Kirky.  Going to build a celidor cybertool/pliers/scissor thing to keep in my pocket too.

[Swisstof]

Les règles, les lois au travail il en faut, mais même sorti du travail je constate que dans beaucoup de pays les couteaux (même suisse) et les multifonctions deviennent interdit à porter ou à utiliser sauf chez soit ou en lieux privé !!!
Triste époque alors que les produits évoluent en sécurité, c'est l'humain qui est mis en cause avec le climat d'insécurité ambiant !!

Restons positif le site ou forum de partage est encore autorisé 

[balvenie]

Can you say that in English please?

[4everYoung]

Um, 4ever...

Sorry to hear that. Only takes one guy. Let us know when you and your coworkers are finished with that rolled up bit of carpet.

What do you do for work, then?

A private company may, of course, impose any number of restrictions on the employees, contractors, and visitors, including going completely around the unreasonable search and seizure laws, so do be careful. We don't want you to get sacked for carrying an unauthorized SAK.

I work for one of the 4 major railroads in the US. This is not by any stretch a strange rule or enough the dumbest for them. It's just the latest in an attempt to legally wash its hands of injuries.
At the railroad we do not have workers comp. if you get hurt you have to sue the company for coverage.

[4everYoung]

If they can choose the utility knife rather than being issued a generic one.

I understand the company is trying to protect itself in some way but this sounds very counterintuitive and likely won't be very productive

You can not chose the tool you use. They issue you the tools you can use on duty. In  he case of the knife, it's a cheapo plastic retractable box cuter.
The knife really only has a purpose to open boxes or cut traction motor boots.
Cutting zip ties are to be done with a dedicated zip tie cutting tool.

[ThePeacent]

absurd as always.
It' not the tool, but the ignorance.

And box cutters are way more dangerous for many tasks, they bend, shatter, break to pieces and slip easily on zip ties, and they make deep cuts.   
And as for the "weapon" idea, it was box cutters that the Terrorists used on the 2001 WTC attacks...

[lister]

Large philips screwdrivers always looked like a good stabbing weapons to me. I vote we ban those! 

[ironraven]

Large philips screwdrivers always looked like a good stabbing weapons to me. I vote we ban those! 

Weapons are the means by which one imposes their will upon another. Everything is a weapon. Fear of poverty is a large one, especially when leveraged into an instrument of torture and humiliation by the petty and those who are afraid of everyone more competent than they are.

I don't feel terribly welcome places where my knives aren't. It means you don't trust me and/or you think I"m an idiot child. When everyone thinks everyone else is an untrustworthy idiot, you don't have a civilization. We hide behind our culture, thinking that that is a key to civilization. What we don't remember, or have forbidden teaching, is that bacteria have culture to. 

[ToolJoe]

It's always fun and games until someone loses an eye. Or as I tell my cats as they destroy things in the house.. this is why we can't have nice things!!


People in my office saw my Spirit come out for use one day and asked twenty questions about it. Now when they need tools, they just look my way..