According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, cuts and lacerations to the hands and fingers are among the top work-related injuries. These injuries can result in time away from work for the employee, and higher insurance rates for the employer. Surprisingly, many of these injuries are preventable with proper training and tools.

Companies worldwide use tools like box cutters, utility knives and blades regularly for different purposes. The HVAC industry is one that uses these blades heavily for fiberglass insulation. All of the blades do what they are designed to do—cut. But are they safe?

Traditional blades are just as dangerous whether they are dull or sharp. Overly sharp blades can easily pierce the skin and dull blades require more force to cut, which can result in a slip of the knife. So, what is the best blade to use for fiberglass insulation?

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass insulation is commonly found in many commercial and residential structures. There are four types used for HVAC duct systems:

• Duct boards
• Duct liners
• Flex ducts
• Duct wrap

Each of these types come in varying degrees of thickness and require a cutting blade that is not only safe, but efficient.

Two Essentials In One Tool

Slice®, manufacturer of safer cutting tools, understands that selecting the right tools for the job is key. When developing their cutting tools, they took into consideration two essential criteria: safety and durability.

Slice believes that you do not have to sacrifice safety or durability, so they designed a line of products that meets both. Their manual and auto-retractable industrial knives are ideal for cutting fiberglass easily and safely.

A Safer Longer Lasting Solution

Slice’s industrial knives provide an effective solution for cutting fiberglass insulation. Their award-winning knives are specifically designed to cut through thick layers. The blades are finger-friendly® and last 11x longer than standard metal blades.

Traditional metal blades wear down quickly, especially when used with abrasive material like fiberglass. For this reason, manufacturers make them dangerously sharp to increase blade longevity. Slice blades last 11x longer, so they don’t need to be overly sharp.They start at an effective sharpness and stay there up to 11x longer than metal.

Listed below are some properties of these innovative industrial blades:

• No rust
• No need for lubricants and oils
• Non-contaminating
• Non-reactive to salt and acids
• Chemically resistant and non-porous
• Ambidextrous

More Tips for Working with Fiberglass Insulation

Exposure to fiberglass particles through skin contact, ingestion, or breathing can cause harmful reactions such as hand irritation, wheezing, coughing, and eye irritation. Make sure to use personal protective equipment including gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and a dust mask before working with this material.

Cutting fiberglass insulation does not have to be challenging or unpleasant. With the proper knowledge and tools, you are on your way to completing the job efficiently and safely.

About Slice, Inc.

TJ Scimone founded Slice, Inc. in 2008 with a goal of creating safer cutting tools. Working with internationally recognised designers, he’s done just that. Slice offers a unique line of tools, all of which are ergonomic and feature finger-friendly® blades. We also publish a Workplace Safety Blog for health and safety professionals around the world.