Professional negligence is typically defined as an action or the lack of action on the part of a professional who has been entrusted with your well being that has caused you harm.

This action or lack of action by a professional has harmed you and this is considered professional negligence, when it can be proved that the professional in question has acted in a way that displays a lack of competence that one would expect in their field. Professional negligence can occur in almost any profession and you will find that you may be wondering if you have been a victim of it.

When you think about professional negligence, you will find that this cannot be called into play simply if you have received a negative outcome.

For instance, you will find that the legal field is rife with claims of professional negligence. If you retained a lawyer and you lost your case, you are not necessarily guaranteed a claim of professional negligence. The only way the lawyer in question would be found to be professionally negligent is if he or she were discovered to be acting in a manner that another lawyer would not, with the same set of information. You will find that finding out what standards a professional should be held to, can be quite difficult to figure out.

One sign that you might need to consider a negligence claim is if your professional has been keeping you in the dark. You might find that you have had some information deliberately hidden from you, or you might find that you are in a situation where there are many different problems that you have not been informed of. This is usually a warning sign, so make sure that you stay on top of things and as always, stop and document everything!

If you strongly feel that your advising professional has made an error that has negatively affected your life and that another competent professional would not have made the same choices, you may find that you have a case for professional negligence.

With this in mind, you will find that the next thing that you should do is to take yourself directly to a lawyer who has training and experience in this field. As mentioned above, the courts are rife with cases of this kind and there are many lawyers who deal exclusively with claims of this type.

Claims of professional negligence can have some very powerful outcomes and results, so make sure that you know what you are getting into. Make sure that you speak to a legal professional the minute you know what you want to do.

Depending on the situation, you will find that you are very much in a position where you can think about getting restitution for your loss, but keep in mind that the sooner you act after the fact, the better.

When thinking about professional negligence, make sure that you get all of the facts and that you are in a good position to move forward with your case.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Loss Assessors and Professional Negligence claim services, he recommends Morgan Clark.

Category: Business
Keywords: loss assessor, claim consultant, insurance claim management, insurance claims, claim management service

The focus behind the concept of managed hosting is to give website hosting clients an option that is cost effective for them whilst providing a superior level of service beyond traditional website hosting services.

Managed website hosting essentially means that a large portion of the server side work is done by the hosting company, rather than the client themselves. This takes a lot of weight off the client’s plate, giving them more time to focus on their business or the client side’s aspect of the hosting.

There are a number of different options available when it comes to managed hosting, this is due all hosting companies having a unique offering when it comes to the level of services, support, benefits and features that they offer.

Pricing will vary significantly from hosting company to hosting company, and from plan to plan, meaning that there is plenty for a potential client to do before they select the right managed hosting plan for their needs.
Here are some of the options that are available for your consideration;

Unmanaged Hosting - With unmanaged website hosting, the client is expected to manage the majority of his or her account alone. While unmanaged website hosting does offer support services, data monitoring and back up services and disaster preparedness are usually handled by the client rather than by the hosting company. Some unmanaged hosting accounts do offer hosting services, but they will cost extra in addition to regular monthly fees which makes them less than a cost effective service for most business clients.

Semi-Managed Hosting - This is exactly what the name would suggest, a website hosting plan that offers some management by the hosting company without their services treading in fully managed territory. Semi-Managed hosting for business clients may include a certain amount of system admin time per month, monitoring of data, data backups, automatic notification for events, scheduled backups of the server, kernel and OS updates, virus scanning on the server side, spam filtering and so on.

However, most semi-managed hosting plans only offer some of these features, requiring extra fees for a more complete managed hosting solution.

Fully Managed Hosting - This, as the name suggests, is website hosting that offers a fully managed solution on the server side for clients. This is a cost effective solution as it means clients do not have to worry about server and data backups, disaster preparedness, constant monitoring of data, event notification and so on.

Fully managed hosting solutions usually include a predetermined number of hours available for system admin time, along with a myriad of other services which keep the data and server side of things effectively managed and out of the hands of the client.

Depending on your knowledge, expertise and experience with website hosting and the server and data side of things, different levels of managed hosting may be more or less ideal for your purposes. If you want to save time and money by forgoing the hiring of a system admin, allowing your hosting company to handle the server instead, then managed website hosting may be the level of service that you have been looking for.

If you feel comfortable handling the server and have the time and energy to monitor your data and to plan and prepare for disaster and data loss, then managed hosting may be an expense that you can pass on.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Business Internet Services and Managed Hosting, he recommends Iconnyx.

Category: Internet
Keywords: Iconnyx, isp, internet service provider, hosting, it, business, uk, connectivity

Managed hosting is one of several different kinds of website hosting available to individuals and businesses that is intended to offer a more personalised level of service for clients. Managed hosting plans, simply put, are hosting plans that are personally managed by support staff with the hosting company taking away some of the responsibility that the client would normally have to focus on. There are a number of benefits that make this type of hosting an advantageous option for individuals and businesses.

1 - Clients with managed hosting accounts can expect a much quicker and more powerful connection because managed hosting plans involve the use of dedicated servers. In other words, rather than sharing hosting space and bandwidth with other clients of the hosting company, managed hosting plans allow clients their own 100% dedicated hosting server to work from.

2 - Managed hosting accounts mean that there is always an additional level of support beyond what a normal web hosting company would offer. The hosting companies offer hands on specialist experts that aid in the administration of the website.

3 - Managed web hosting is cost effective due to the level of administration offered can free up the time of clients and their employees, allowing them to save wages and make better use of their time.

4 - Most managed web hosting plans offer additional security, including plans for disaster recovery, data backup and so on and so forth. Businesses that rely on their website presences will benefit from hosting that protects their data and ensures that disaster recovery procedures are in place.

5 - Managed website hosting plans are managed and monitored on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis. This includes monitoring and management of both the network and all equipment used by the client.

6 - The equipment used by hosting companies for managed web hosting clients are usually a great improvement on what shared hosting clients tend to experience. Because managed web hosting involves the use of a dedicated server, clients can expect high quality and dedicated equipment.

7 - Clients who try to host their websites on their own dedicated servers often find themselves with an awful lot of down time. Making use of a dedicated server that is managed by a top hosting company means that you should never have to worry about down time ever again. This is simply because someone is always monitoring.

8 - While all web hosting plans offer varied features and benefits like hosting space, bandwidth allowance, tools, scripts and support, the level of services offered by managed hosting plans are usually much greater than with shared hosting plan options.

9 - These hosting plans are time saving plans as they eliminate the need for a full time website administrator. By allowing the website hosting company to handle a large amount of the administration tasks, clients can spend more time worrying about their business and less worrying about their website.

10 - With a managed hosting plan, you should never have trouble reaching support staff or services when you need them. If you ever need assistance, someone who can help you will be available all day every day, making it easier than ever for you to get the assistance that you need.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Business Internet Services and Managed Hosting, he recommends Iconnyx.

Category: Internet
Keywords: Iconnyx, isp, internet service provider, hosting, it, business, uk, connectivity

There are a number of advantages when it comes to using a multifunctional printer. A multifunctional printer is a printer that is designed to accomplish multiple functions such as printing, copying, faxing and scanning.

Advantages of a Multifunctional Printer

- A Single piece of office equipment
- Flexibility
- Portability
- Scalability

Small businesses, home offices and even standard businesses can find a great deal of benefit in being able to handle a number of tasks with a single piece of equipment. If you look at the features of a multifunctional printer it prints usually;

*black and white or colour
*it scans
*it copies
*depending on the model it may even fax.

It combines all the various functions of office equipment that is necessary for doing everyday business into a single space saving, compact design. Instead of four machines taking up an awful lot of space, you just have one.

Flexibility is something that is part of the definition of a multifunctional printer. You can do just about anything that needs to be done in a single location, on a single machine. It fits perfectly in small spaces; they are inexpensive enough to provide one for every member of an office or to be able to purchase a number of them instead of a single machine such as a copier. This means that there are no more people queuing waiting to do work, which then increases productivity.

Portability is another feature that makes all in one or multifunctional designs appealing. There are some multifunctional printer designs that are perfect for being able to move from office to office especially if you are moving into or visiting places where you know you will need the functionality of these types of machines and there is not one available that you can plug into or connect to.

Scalability is probably one of the largest factors when considering multifunctional equipment. Scalability is the ability of a product to grow with you and your business. This is something that multifunctional printers are excellent for. They are usually high quality machines so they can withstand constant and consistent use. They can usually take multiple types of input for printing allowing them to print from a computer or memory card. They can also print black and white and some of the new models can create pictures to the same quality as if you took them to a photo developer.

These are just a few of the advantages that can be had with the use of multifunctional printers.
The greatest advantage perhaps is the ability to choose the features you want in a single machine for a price that is extremely affordable. This makes it easier to reduce equipment overhead and provide businesses with more resources to spend on expanding and growing their business. There are also a number of models to choose from so there is something that not only fits every budget but every space and feature requirement.
They are also easy to connect to a network or a single computer.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Canon Multi Functional Printers, Digital Cameras and Scanners, he recommends Just Canon.

Category: Business
Keywords: canon digital cameras, canon online shop, canon camcorders, canon binoculars, canon printers, canon scanners, canon lenses

There are a number of different cameras on the market that can make choosing a digital camera a confusing and difficult process. There are also cameras that are designed for different functions and uses and finding the right one for what you want to be able to do can be difficult.

The first steps to take when choosing a digital camera is to create a list of features that you want. This should be a complete list, so you may want to do a bit of research into the features that are available for digital cameras, in order to get a good idea of what you can do with them.

Once you have determined what you would like to have feature wise for your digital camera, then the next step would be to determine the price range for your camera. You can spend as little as £100 or more for a good digital camera so you will want to be sure to get what you are looking for the first time.

Test the cameras out. There will probably be several that meet the feature list you have created. Make sure that the weight of the camera as well as its ease of use matches with what you want. Even if the camera has all the features you want if it is bulky or hard to manage it is not going to provide you with what you want when it comes to taking pictures.

Canon produces a number of high quality cameras that can provide you with the features you are looking for. Canon has just released its ESO 1000D. This is an SLR camera that gives a 10.1 mega pixel Digital image. It has a CMOS sensor and features that are found on Canon’s more professionally oriented models but at a much more affordable rate. It also comes with a 2.5″ LCD for Live View Mode and a 7 point wide area AF. These cameras are sold as bodies so you will need to purchase the lens or lenses that you are looking for.

The Canon EOS 450D is another model of SLR to consider from Canon. This camera comes with a 12.2 mega pixel CMOS sensor, 3.0″ High resolution LCD screen as well as a new AF system that has a 9 point wide area AF. Due to the fact that is an SLR camera lenses are sold separately.

The Canon EOS 40D is a 10.1 mega pixel camera with CMOS censor, a 3.0″ LCD screen with live mode., It is also a SLR camera so lenses are sold separately and it does come with the new AF system. This camera also comes with a 2.0 USB hi speed connection and a Video out interface.

If you are looking for a serious camera consider the EOS 1Ds Mark III. This camera is a premier when it comes to digital photography. It comes with a 21 mega pixel full frame CMOS, High Precision wide area AF along with a 3.0″ LCD with live action. You can also get 5fps. It is a SLR so lens kits are separate.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Canon Digital Cameras, Camcorders and Scanners, he recommends Just Canon.

Category: Business
Keywords: canon digital cameras, canon online shop, canon camcorders, canon binoculars, canon printers, canon scanners, canon lenses

If you are anything like me then one of your favorite places in the world is probably your home. It is the place where we spend most of our time away from work and provides that sanctuary from the day to day labors of the real world. It is a place to relax and to enjoy time with our families. It therefore is also of no surprise that we want our home or cottage to look as good as we can possible make it.

From furniture to gardens we want to beautify the place where we live, as subconsciously we want it to reflect what people’s perception of us will be. This article looks at some of the things that you can do to improve the appearance of your home or cottage so that the next time you come back after a hard day or you have friends around you will feel proud at the impression that your home gives out.

Why Should I Beautify My Home: Apart from the fact that it will look and feel great, there is also the added financial incentive. By making improvements to the functionality of the property and also its appearance you will be increasing its market value at the same time. Home improvements do not need to be expensive and the following advice will demonstrate to you some of the things that can be done at very little expense but give you maximum benefits.

How To Improve The Interior: Firstly, let’s think about the interior. With the correct advise you can dramatically change the feel of a room with little effort or expense. Small effects such as the addition of blinds, rugs or a table lamp can help to enrich the environment. These accessories are not expensive and can be bought for under $20 in most hardware or furniture stores.

Dried or plastic flowers can help to create a more pleasant atmosphere particularly in the living quarters of the home. If you would prefer to have fresh plants and flowers, than this does not require too much cash and the introduction of natural fragrances can really help to create a wonderful and pleasant smell around your home. Your local garden center is sure to have a large selection of house plants that you can use to change the feel of the home.

Finally you can also make cost-effective improvements by decorating the walls. Simply changing the tones around the home can create a positive feel to the home. Your local hardware stores will probably stock just about every color you can imagine and these will not cost that much.

How To Improve The Exterior: There are lots of things that you can do to improve the look of your home or cottage’s exterior.

Simple things such as mowing the lawn, trimming overgrown plants, bushes and trees will all help to create a more attractive garden. Painting the fences and other areas can also create a brighter feel and these require only that you do a little house work.

In addition you can think about adding garden furniture. Any reputable garden center will stock garden tables and chairs for little expense. By adding this you can help to improve the appeal of your garden and create a move inviting atmosphere outside your home. Perhaps you might want to add outdoor lighting which again will not cost too much. This can have a dramatic effect at night and is great if you plan to invite friends around for an evening meal.

Author Bio: If you are looking for Cottage Signs or Landscape Lighting for your home look no further.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: beautify your home or cottage, handcrafted,HDU sandblasted signs, low voltage landscape lighting, pa

From the home and garden to the garage and basement, home owners frequently face repair and honey-do projects that require one of the most basic tools - the utility knife. Its versatility and strength makes it a tool no homeowner should be without.

Looking to add insulation in your home to get a handle on your utility bills? There’s nothing like a cold, windy winter to bring out the cracks and areas in your home that could use some additional insulation. You can easily reduce the cost of the project by doing the work yourself.

Assembling the appropriate tools for the job is pretty straightforward. In addition to a utility knife, have on hand fiberglass insulation, work gloves, a measuring tape, staplers, a dust mask, and stepladder, if needed. A wooden pole can also be useful if you’re going to be pushing insulation into roof rafters or other hard-to-reach areas. Also, if you’re working in the attic or other area where there is no light source, use portable clamp lighting.

As you place the insulation between the studs, joists and rafters, staple it into place. Use scraps of insulation in open areas where heat loss can occur. Your utility knife comes in handy for cutting the insulation when necessary to fit specific areas. Make sure the insulation is placed paper/foil side down before making any cuts with the utility knife. Follow up with caulk in areas around windows and doors where drafts can get through.

Utility knives are also the tool of choice when it comes to replacing worn-out carpeting. Removing carpeting is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project, and can save you money if you’re having new carpet or hardwood installed.

In addition to a utility knife, have masking tape, a pry bar and hammer on hand. You’ll want to begin in a corner of the room where you can pull the carpet from the tack strip. Approximately three feet in from the corner, cut a strip of carpeting wall to wall with your utility knife. Then, begin rolling the cut strip of carpeting, pulling it from the tack strip as necessary. Secure the three-foot section with masking tape. Continue cutting and rolling the 3-foot strips until all the carpeting has been removed. Repeat the same method with the carpet padding. The pry bar and hammer are good tools for removing the tack strip if you will be replacing the carpeting with hardwood. Otherwise, the tack strip can remain in place.

Repairing holes in drywall is not an unusual task for homeowners, either. The project is relatively simple and can make a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your home.

To repair a small hole in the drywall, gather together fiberglass mesh tape, joint compound, a putty knife, sandpaper, and a utility knife. After cutting a 2-inch square around the hole with the utility knife, stretch fiberglass mesh drywall tape over the square. Apply a layer of joint compound and smooth it with the putty knife, blending the edges into the wall. Repeat the steps several times to completely cover the hole. Finish up by sanding the final layer with fine-grit sandpaper.

For larger holes, follow the first step as above with a utility knife or keyhole saw. Use strips of plywood, cut three to four inches larger than your opening, and fasten inside the square with drywall screws. Measure and cut a drywall patch to fit inside the square, followed with fiberglass mesh drywall tape. Apply several layers of joint compound, using the putty knife to smooth the ridges in between coats. As with small-hole repairs, sand the final layer of joint compound using fine-grit sandpaper.

Author Bio: Safecutters Inc., provides an online store of utility knife box cutters for opening shipping boxes and shipping packages, as well as safety knives to open moving boxes and packages. For more information about Klever Kutter and other Safecutters products contact us!

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Safecutters,shipping and receiving,mail room,utility knife,box cutter,box cutters,safety knife,safet

Since childhood, many have discovered the joy of creation through art. Working with the various materials is an exciting and creative venture for many artists. However, research has shown that an artist’s craft has the potential to adversely affect his/her health. Art materials and supplies, improperly used, can cause physical injury.

A fundamental aspect of many art businesses and institutions is the hand tool. While indispensable to the artist, hand tools are also involved in many injuries to artists. According to Accident Facts, hand tools are involved in 6 percent of all compensated work injuries. This figure increases to 14 percent for non-compensated work injuries. Average hand tool injury costs can run approximately $1250 - this is only counting the direct costs and not the indirect injury costs such as lost production.

Hand tool injuries can most often be traced to the improper use or maintenance of the hand tool. Ways to avoid non-powered hand tool injuries include:

1. Make sure to use the right tool for the job. Examples of misuse of tools include using a wrench as a hammer, pliers as a wrench, knife as a saw, claw hammer as a ballpeen hammer, screwdriver as a chisel, etc.

2. Ensure you have the correct size tool.

3. Individuals using tools should be trained in basic safety and proper use of the tool.

4. Artists must keep their tools in good condition. Broken or worn tools should be repaired or discarded. Report defective equipment to the necessary supervisor, if applicable.

5. Use your tool the way it was intended. For instance, drive a wood chisel outward and away from your body.

6. When using a safety knife or utility knife, cut away from the body and keep hands and body clear of the knife stroke.

7. Razor blades and utility knife blades should be disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.

8. Store tools in a safe place. Many accidents have been caused by tools falling from overhead, sharp tools carried in pockets, or tools left in toolboxes with the cutting edges exposed. Ensure the tool is stored in its proper place and that sharp edges or blades are protected or enclosed to prevent contact.

9. Hand tools such as chisels and punches must be reconditioned or replaced as necessary.

10. Keep tool cutting edges sharp so the tool will move smoothly without binding or skipping. Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp tools.

11. Wear other personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, respirators, appropriate shoes, gloves, etc.

12. Consider ergonomically designed tools to fit the tool to the worker - especially those tools used frequently and repetitively during the day.

The work of many artists, such as potters, glassblowers weavers, involves repetitive motion. Repetitive motion, particularly of the hands, wrists and arms may lead to painful inflammation of muscles, tendons, and nerves over time and cause eventual deterioration of those tissues. Symptoms associated with repetitive-motion disorders can include pain, warmth, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint involved. Grip positions that use high-force finger pinching along with a bent wrist have been associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hand polishing and sanding, and drawing and painting in awkward positions are examples of high-risk repetitive tasks. Repetitive motion disorders can be disabling if not treated early.

To prevent these injuries, select appropriate tools and lay work out in more neutral positions while performing tasks. It’s also a good idea to take frequent breaks to stretch muscles and schedule work to alternate tasks.

Back injuries often occur from lifting heavy objects such as sculptures and lithography stones. Whenever possible, use mechanical aides such as hoists and dollies to move heavy objects. Artists should always practice good lifting techniques including flexing knees, keeping the back straight, hold the load close to the body, and lifting with the legs. Artists should never lift and twist at the same time.

Author Bio: Safecutters Inc., provides an online store of utility knife box cutters for opening shipping boxes and shipping packages, as well as safety knives to open moving boxes and packages. For more information about Klever Kutter and other Safecutters products contact us!

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Safecutters,shipping and receiving,mail room,utility knife,box cutter,box cutters,safety knife,safet

With curbside recycling programs available to more than half of all Americans, there’s no reason you can’t easily set up your own at-home recycling center. Still, the EPA estimates that while 75 percent of what Americans trash every week could be recycled, only 25 percent is. There is still more to be done. Most recycling programs accept certain types of plastics, paper, and glass. Set up and maintenance of your at-home recycling center can be a fast, simple undertaking.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need
A designated spot for your recycling center
Sturdy plastic containers
Compost Bin
Trash Cans
Trash Bags
Labels and Marker
Utility Knife

Steps
Step One
Find an area in your home, garage or apartment where your recycling center will be located. Your space does not need to be large. A corner of the kitchen, a storage closet, or spot in the garage will work nicely.

Step Two
It’s important to use sturdy containers to store your recycled materials. Designate each container for one type of recyclable. For example, you might label your bins (using your labels and marker): plastic, newspaper, cardboard, and aluminum.

Step Three
To recycle tin and/or bi-metal cans, wash them out and remove the labels. Flatten the cans to conserve space.

Step Four
To recycle aluminum, check first to make certain the cans are aluminum. Use a magnet if in doubt, as aluminum will not be attracted to the magnet. Rinse the can and flatten to save storage space. Keep aluminum cans separate from other aluminum products.

Step Five
When possible, purchase returnable or reusable bottles. To prepare glass for recycling wash the glass and remove and properly discard all metal caps and rings. Keep the glass separated by color, if necessary. Glass that should not be recycled includes: Pyrex, light bulbs, glass tableware, mirrors, windows, and broken glass.

Step Six
Recycle all white office paper, mixed-color paper and newspaper. Depending on your community’s recycling program, these may need to be separated by type and/or color. High-grade paper would include computer paper, tab cards, ledger paper and copier paper.

Step Seven
To recycle newsprint, keep papers stacked in a fire-safe area. Tie papers in stacks or bundle in brown grocery bags, if required by your local recycling program. Most recycle programs do no accept magazines, shipping envelopes, or envelopes with windows.

Step Eight
To recycle corrugated cardboard, which is made up of two layers of heavy cardboard with a ribbed section in between, use a utility knife box cutter to safely cut the box and flatten for easy storage and transport.

Step Nine
According to Earth 911, managing your organic material at your home not only decreases the amount of material that you send to the landfill, it can also help turn your organic waste into a landscape asset. Composting bins allow homeowners to recycle their biodegradable food scraps and yard waste. Bins are designed with air vents which accelerate the composting process. Compost bins can be placed outside in your backyard or near the garden. Compost improves the soil, thus creating a better environment for your plants.

Tips & Warnings
Keep the containers clean before recycling. Leaky soda cans or food containers could pose ant or mice problems.
If you choose to take your recyclables to a buyback center, it’s a good idea to keep recyclables separated for easy drop off.

Be informed on how to safely dispose of unwanted medications, grooming products, and hazardous household waste.

Author Bio: Safecutters Inc., provides an online store of utility knife box cutters for opening shipping boxes and shipping packages, as well as safety knives to open moving boxes and packages. For more information about Klever Kutter and other Safecutters products contact us!

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Safecutters,shipping and receiving,mail room,utility knife,box cutter,box cutters,safety knife,safet

The reasoning is simple: If employees have access to a good, useable tool, they will use it, preventing potential injury and product damage. In all facets of today’s workplace, the safety knife is making its presence - and use - known. Consider, emergency rescue personnel using a seat belt cuter to remove an injured child from a wrecked vehicle, or bakers opening bags of flour effortlessly with food-safe bag cutters. Imagine a disaster animal rescue team cutting string, debris, and plastic cording wrapped around injured wildlife after a flood.

Safety knives take many shapes and forms, but they have found a prominent place in almost every workplace. They are known as safety knives, safety cutters, utility knives, box cutters, hook knives, rotary cutters, and more.

In the retail and restaurant industries, the indispensable hand tool has been around for generations. Not just for boxes and cartons, the safety knife can be used in nearly any industry. Employers who provide access to the safety knife discover their employees keep these tools for their convenience and use.

Endless Features

Most employees do work that could be enhanced by a cutting tool made just for the job. While they may be largely unaware of the specialty features, employers or managers should consider what features will be most useful for their workers. The features available are too numerous for listing: blade and handle material; ergonomic features; shape, size, and strength of blades; blade replacement or quick change; blade dispensers; and blade disposable bins to maintain shop floor safety are just a few of the options available. This is a constantly changing field, and new items and features are available to employers regularly.

Selection

Consider what your employees will be doing and ask the following questions before purchasing safety knives:

1. Talk to seasoned employees about their needs. Ask for samples of various safety knives or other specialty cutters and let employees try them to see what works well. Listen to the feedback from your frontline users.

2. What weight of item is to be cut? Is it a multi-material situation, or are they cutting one material all day?

3. What position will employees be in when using the knife? Will he/she be cutting vertically or horizontally?

4. Are there moisture, corrosion, or electric hazards?

5. How often does the employee use the knife?

6. What special features does the employee need?

7. Is there an accident history with workers in this position using safety knives? How can a better selection of utility knives help reduce lacerations?

Safety Training

Long gone are the days of handing a new tool to an employee and letting him figure out how to use it. In order to reduce workplace injury, take full advantage of awareness and education items provided by utility and safety knife manufacturers and distributors. Training can include presentations, video, live training sessions, and literature, often in many languages. Most importantly, make sure employees understand blade replacement, the value of keeping a sharp blade at all times, and disposing of used blades correctly.

Following training and once safety knives and cutters have been placed with employees, document what is working and what needs attention and additional consideration. Ask for employee feedback.

Consider the following audit checklist on potential safety issues on which to focus:

1. Has your facility been evaluated by a competent person as to activities that can be enhanced by correct use of safety knives or cutters by employees?

2. Is there a designated place for employees to view training materials on using safety knives or cutters correctly?

3. Is the need for specialty knives or cutters evaluated on a regular basis by safety personnel as operations change or grow?

4. Is there a designated person responsible for the safety program dealing with hand safety, including cutting tools? Has a history of injuries been documented?

5. Is this person knowledgeable about laceration hazards and potential situations at your facility?

6. Is the equipment chosen by the workers and supervisors who use cutting tools, rather than chosen on the basis of cost?

7. Is the equipment evaluated and tested prior to purchase and compared with other like items for employee acceptance and usefulness?

8. Are employees advised to maintain a sharp blade through replacement as needed?

Involvement from employees on the choice and use of safety knives will promote an efficient and safe workplace. If employees have access to a good useable tool, they will use it, thus preventing potential injury and product damage.

Author Bio: Safecutters Inc., provides an online store of utility knife box cutters for opening shipping boxes and shipping packages, as well as safety knives to open moving boxes and packages. For more information about Klever Kutter and other Safecutters products contact us!

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Safecutters,shipping and receiving,mail room,utility knife,box cutter,box cutters,safety knife,safet