Safety Bulletin: Laceration While Cutting Cat 6 Data Cable
A team member recently sustained a significant laceration to the finger while cutting Cat 6 data cable with snips. As the cut was made, the snips slipped and contacted the employee’s index finger, resulting in a deep cut that required five stitches at a medical facility. Although the task was viewed as routine and low risk, this incident underscores the consequences of bypassing basic safety practices.
The employee was not wearing his cut-resistant gloves, and their non-cutting hand was placed too close to the path of the snips. The root cause analysis revealed gaps in task-specific hazard recognition and PPE use. The decision was influenced by the perception that the job would only take a few seconds and carry minimal risk. Unfortunately, this mindset led to a preventable injury and an OSHA recordable incident.
This case reveals a broader issue – gaps in task-specific hazard recognition. While general PPE training is provided, there is a clear need for reinforcing what’s required for specific tasks, especially those we perform daily and may underestimate.
Key Lessons Learned
- No task is too small or too quick for safety. Many injuries occur during routine work when we drop our guard.
- Cut-resistant gloves must be worn at all times. This is not optional.
- Proper body placement is essential. Always keep your hands clear of the cutting path.
- Perceived low-risk tasks still carry real hazards. Quick jobs can lead to serious consequences.
- Training must reflect the actual work we do. General safety policies must be backed by task-specific guidance and expectations.
- Field leadership must model and enforce safe behavior. If we allow shortcuts, we’re signaling that safety is flexible—which it isn’t. Leaders must spot and correct unsafe shortcuts in the moment.
Corrective Actions
- PPE availability checks are being conducted to ensure all crews have proper gloves accessible in gang boxes, tool carts and that they are being worn at all times.
- JHAs/Daily Huddles are being updated to better capture hand safety requirements and expectations for routine tasks.
- Supervisors and foremen will place added focus on task planning and real-time coaching to prevent future incidents.
- Safety professionals will continue monitoring field behaviors for high-frequency, low-risk tasks that may not get the attention they deserve.
This injury resulted in five stitches—a serious outcome that could have been avoided with basic preparation. These incidents are reminders that safety isn’t just for complex or high-risk tasks. It’s for everything we do, every day, especially the things we think we can do on autopilot. If a task is worth doing, it’s worth doing safely. Let’s all recommit to that standard, starting now.