Hi, just jumping in on the end of this.  

What I do has worked for me, but seems too simple to contribute much to 
the the problem.

I take a piece of paper labeling tape and run it down both sides of the
blade area not needed for cutting the block like the corners.  I seal it
together extending over the top of the blade 3-4mm.  I have never cut
myself when I have remembered to do this, maybe because I feel the tape
first, but it is hard to cut something when the blade has a little
protective hat on.

tape  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
      !  ______________________  !
      !- - - - - - - - - - - - - !
  blade  _____________________

Trisha
      
On Tue, 25 Apr 2000, Buttigieg Carmen at MOH wrote:

> Marylou
> 
> All of my Histotechnologists have been through this experience. We just call a 
> mark of the trade, some kind of initiation since it usually happens during their 
> first year here. We have tried knife guards but their are not practical. Any 
> kind of gloves are impossible to work with. The only good thing about it is that 
> once it happens, they really understand what the knife can do and they are more 
> careful. It rarely ever happens with the more experienced workers.
> 
> One thing that reduced the frequency of incidents was when we changed from 
> knives to disposable blades. This must be due to the fact that they simply are 
> smaller and there are no sharp edges jutting out beyond the cental cutting area.
> 
> I'll be on the lookout for other interesting ideas.
> 
> Carmen
> St. Luke's Hospital
> Malta
> 
> 

Trisha