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Sounds to me that it would be more dangerous if you were to constantly be changing the knifes, whether it be at the end of the shift or in between patients.  I had a similar safety instance but having to do with the occasional knife nick while working on microtomes.  After input from Histonet, it was decided that although there are safety devices out there, basically just being careful and not
being distracted while working around sharp objects is the bottom line.

Could the OSHA violation be quoted?

Vinnie Della Speranza wrote:

> in the aftermath of an employee injury, our safety officer is insisting that we remove cryostat knives at the end of the shift (leaving no blade in the cyrostat over night) and change blades in between patients. She claims that failure to do so would be a violation of OSHA's requirements for safe work practices. The employee nicked her thumb while tidying up the interior of one of our units.
>
> We commonly juggle frozen section specimens from more than one patient simulataneously. We are a busy facility with a very large transplant program. It is not uncommon for pathologists to be called to do frozens at odd hours, hence the need for a cold knife that is ready to go at all times.
>
> I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter and from facilities who might be using practices similar to that being asked of us. Thanks
>
> Vinnie
>
> Vinnie Della Speranza
> Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
> Medical University of South Carolina
> 165 Ashley Avenue
> Suite 309
> Charleston, SC  29425
> ph:  (843) 792-6353
> fax: (843) 792-8974
> email: Dellav@musc.edu

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