Are retractable blade safety knives suitable for use in low care areas
Hi all
Just inquiring to see if anyone knows if retractable stanley style safety knives are suitable in food production/low care areas? I have given production staff fish style safety knives which are very useful, however they do not seem to be sharp enough to cut through heavy pallet wrap and strapping when used by our dispatch operatives.
Thanks
ElaineMcM
Hi Elaine,
What commodity are you working with?
As long as you had an adequite knife control program that's backed up by a strong risk analysis I'd think this would be acceptible.
What ESQUEF said, and be sure that you have product contact knives SEPARATE from your utility non-food contact knives.
Be sure this is in your policies as well as have evidence you have trained your employees to this policy.
As part of our knife control, we have daily knife inspection in and out and all replacement blades are issued one at a time with the old blade recovered and the condition of the blade noted in the blade log.
Hi all
Just inquiring to see if anyone knows if retractable stanley style safety knives are suitable in food production/low care areas? I have given production staff fish style safety knives which are very useful, however they do not seem to be sharp enough to cut through heavy pallet wrap and strapping when used by our dispatch operatives.
Thanks
ElaineMcM
Hi Elaine,
It would depend on the standard you are working to and the controls in place.
BRC Food Safety Standard states 'snap-off blade knives shall not be used' and the corresponding Guidance states 'snap-off blades are not permitted in any area of production or storage.
SQF Code states 11.7.5.7 Knives and cutting instruments used in processing and packaging operations shall be controlled, and kept clean and well maintained.
I personally would avoid using them and try and find an alternative.
Regards,
Tony