You might imagine that a Rhino is a dangerous creature and, if you come face-to-face, you might indeed choose to give that fearsome horn a wide berth. But in actual fact the rhino is a relatively peaceful animal and we were glad to find that it ranks well down the list of predators. Lions, tigers, hippos, snakes, dogs, crocs and even snails kill many more people every year than the genteel rhino.
The Survey
So when we commissioned a survey of our customers across many sectors regarding usage of their RHINO products, it should come as no surprise that they too have experienced considerable safety when using them.
We surveyed a wide range of customers across manufacturing, warehousing, leather working, signage & printing, advanced manufacturing & composites, clothing & textiles and education.
The stunning survey results show that:-
- 92% of RHINO clients report improved operator safety
- 77% of RHINO clients report hand injury reduction
While these superb results are great news , when you consider the scale of the problem we are helping to tackle, this becomes even better.
The Facts
Many analysts have interrogated the HSE, RIDDOR and LFS datasets to understand the picture. According to Arco, hand injuries are the leading cause of workplace injury and result on average in more than a week off work. In total, laceration and open wound injuries result in 247,000 days’ absence from work annually. On average 2.8 days are lost per injured worker with all the consequences that has for both businesses and the individual. In total, hand and wrist injuries are said to result in costs of £1.3 billion per annum in UK.
Upper limbs, including hands and wrists, accounted for 37% of RIDDOR-reported non-fatal injuries. There were 6,468 injuries to fingers and thumbs, 4,418 to wrists and 4,107 to hands, say NimbleFins.
What’s even more striking, say PMC, is that an audit of UK hospitals over a two-week period assessed the preventability of hand injuries. They found that a huge 50% of the 1,909 hand injury cases were deemed preventable.
Cutting Mats Help Reduce Hand Injuries And Cuts
At RHINO we specialise in providing cutting mats designed to reduce risks and enhance precision for all users.
Using cutting mats in the workplace offers several advantages that contribute to a safer working environment:
Improved Knife Stability
Cutting mats provide a stable surface for cutting, reducing the chances of slips and accidental injuries. The mats are designed to prevent knives from accidentally sliding or shifting during use, providing workers with better control and precision.
Enhanced Knife Control
Safe cutting is all about predictability and control. Cutting mats offer a consistent and reliable surface for knife work, allowing employees to have better control over their cuts. This reduces the likelihood of the knife veering off course and accidentally cutting into the operator or co-worker. As the blade cuts into the mat surface a little, it allows the user freedom to cut out a pattern without the blade sliding sideways or into worksurface ruts. The mat material is designed to protect the knife’s ‘keenness’, or sharp edge, sustaining safer control whilst preventing tearing of material.
What Next?
Implementing the use of cutting mats is a proactive measure that significantly reduces the risk of hand injury.
So, while a rhino may not be high on your list for a household pet, remember that RHINO’s toughness and self-healing properties are not only good for protecting your products, but they also help protect your people as well.
To find out more about choosing the ideal cutting mat for your needs, please contact 01280 840 293. Let RHINO help make sure you have the safest option for your team.
