few tools are more ubiquitous than pair of scissors: They can be found in a kindergarten as well as in a multinational factory. And just as in schools for children, in warehouses, in large factories, the use of safety scissors.
why use a safety scissor? In the first place, they offer superlative advantages in terms of safety compared to traditional scissors, which allow the risks of accidents in general and work-related accidents in particular to be eliminated; this without significantly affecting the budget. Secondly, they allow you to work with greater comfort and confidence, increasing productivity.
On the other hand, it is not difficult to imagine that in certain applications, they are the ideal complement to the safety cutter. In short, these are essential personal protection elements, and they are always under the consideration of occupational safety and hygiene professionals.
we will see below what are safety scissors, how they differ from traditional ones and how to choose them according to the work we will do.
What are safety scissors?
Simply, they are scissors manufactured taking into account the safety of the operator who will use them. The vast majority provide straight cutting angles, which allow cutting various materials without the risk of damaging the skin or hands of users. Many times the tip is blunt or rounded, thus avoiding the risk of accidental punctures.
They also often have non-slip handles made of a semi-soft material such as rubber or gum, which allow them to be handled without the risk of falling.
Safety scissors – Features
Differences with traditional scissors
They are usually manufactured with the operator’s safety as a priority; that is why they differ from traditional instruments in several points:
- They cut using the shear principle, but the cutting angle is 90º (or a very close angle), so there is no risk of cutting fingers or hands.
- They are ergonomic by nature and fit any hand size; they are also suitable for right and left handed people alike most of the time.
- The blades, made of ceramic or stainless steel, are joined by means of screws of the same material (usually AISI 304 steel) and are lubricated with non-toxic oils (approved by NSF). This allows its use in works where the safety scissors must be in contact with food substances or medical instruments.
In turn, they differ from safety scissors for children in size (they are designed for adult hands) and in the approach to use: the safety scissors for industrial use allows cutting more materials, something that with plastic scissors for school use it is not possible to achieve, or at least not easily achieved.
Safety scissors for ambidextrous use
What materials allow safety scissors to cut?
Basically a good safety scissors They must cut the same materials as traditional scissors: paper, cardboard, sheets of cellophane or cellophane, packing tape (including plastic), plastic bands or clamps, sheets of aluminum foil, sheets of rubber, fabrics, thin sheets of leather , and so on.
Avoid the use of safety scissors to cut other materials, such as metal sheets thicker than 0.2 mm, lead rolls, conglomerate covers, rigid plastics, cables and in general any zinguerÃa material; For these materials there are other types of scissors and shears that are more appropriate.
safety scissors
Tips for buying or choosing a safety scissor
The selection criteria should be based on the use to which it will be put: administrative or packaging work, general warehouse work, making textiles, handicrafts, etc.
As a general rule for all uses it is important, if the scissors will be shared by several people, to get those suitable for ambidextrous use, that is, for right-handed and left-handed people alike.
Some manufacturer brands offer models that meet all the conditions of use that are recommended here.
Administrative work, what scissors to use?
In this case, its use is not too far from those that are presented in educational institutions: cutting paper and cardboard, cardboard and other stationery materials.
For this use it is advisable to acquire those safety scissors with blunt tip and ergonomic handles. The choice of those models that have a considerable length in the edges will also be favourable; In this way, the task of cutting paper and cardboard will be easier.
safety scissors
Warehouse work, which safety scissors to choose?
In the warehouse it is usual to cut paper (for labeling), corrugated cardboard, packing tape and some plastic bands.
For this use it is important to have a good edge and a handle that is comfortable and non-slip at the same time.
As a secondary factor, consider buying only those safety scissors whose joining element is a screw and not a rivet, since it will need to be adjusted with some regularity due to use.
Important
If the reservoir materials are food or surgical products, make sure the scissors can be easily sterilized and use non-toxic oils for lubrication.
Scissors for textile manufacturing
For cutting fabrics and leathers of small thickness, it is essential to have a reliable cutting edge and a screw joint, which allows the two halves of the blade to be adjusted from time to time. tool, since the difference in thickness and the hardness of some materials will cause the sheets to separate a little with time and use.
Choose, as a secondary purchase parameter, the safety scissors that have a non-slip handle and a semi-flexible material. It is important that this handle, or handle, is ergonomic, to avoid injuries such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
safety scissors
Craft Scissors
The craftsman or craftswoman generally uses scissors to cut molds and patterns on paper, cardboard and cardboard, although it is also common to cut other materials such as cellophane, adhesive tape, fabrics, etc.
As a general use parameter, acquire those safety scissors that provide straight edges in the cutting area, and non-slip handles.
Although the use of safety scissors it is still incipient, we hope that very soon they will spread more and more, providing users with additional protection when carrying out their tasks.
Videos application and use of safety scissors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzeYKNpcMSQ
