Cut the Wrap Without Putting Your Hand Behind the Blade

Read aloud

Stretch wrap can hide a loose carton or hold a load together. Before cutting it, check whether the items could shift when the wrap releases. Do not stand downhill from a leaning stack or pull the film while a coworker cuts toward your hand.

Choose the cutter approved for the material and follow its instructions. Expose only the blade length needed. Keep the supporting hand and other people outside the blade's path, cut away from the body, and avoid excessive force. If the blade catches, stop and reposition rather than yanking it through the film. Retract or cover the blade before walking or putting the cutter down.

Remove wrap in a planned order that preserves load stability. Stop if cartons lean or loose items begin moving; arrange safe support before continuing. Gather removed film so it cannot catch feet or hide debris. Never put a loose used blade in a trash bag. Use the designated sharps container. These checks take less time than dealing with a hand injury or a collapsed delivery.

Scenario

A mover grips wrap against a carton while a coworker brings a utility knife toward that hand. They stop, stabilize the load, and reposition so the supporting hand is entirely outside the blade's travel.

Supervisor follow-up

Provide suitable cutters and blade disposal containers. Observe one routine unpacking task and correct unsafe hand positioning or unstable-load release.

Session and source notes

Suggested session: 3–5 minutes including discussion. Ohio State University Environmental Health and Safety — Box Cutter Safety — https://ehs.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2022_safety_brief_box_cutter.pdf. Load-stability and wrap-removal steps are recommended task-planning practices.

Show the crew

With the blade retracted, demonstrate the planned hand positions on an empty stable carton. Use no live blade during the talk.