Free Safe Operating Procedure (Knife Handling) Template

Purpose of the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Knife Handling) Template

Knives are an essential tool in many industries, from hospitality and food processing to warehousing and retail. However, their improper use is a leading cause of serious workplace injuries.

This Free Safe Operating Procedure (Knife Handling) Template provides a structured starting point for documenting a safe system of work to manage the risks associated with knife use. Formalising your procedures helps ensure all workers, including new and young employees, understand the expected safe behaviours, required personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency actions. It is a critical component of demonstrating your commitment to risk management and forms a key part of effective WHS management systems.

How to use the Free Safe Operating Procedure (Knife Handling) Template

This Safe Operating Procedure for knife handling is provided in an easy-to-edit DOCX format, allowing you to tailor it precisely to your operational needs. A PDF version is also available for straightforward printing and distribution.

To use the template effectively, you must methodically work through each section and replace the placeholder text with information specific to your equipment, environment, and tasks. This includes detailing the types of knives used, the specific cutting tasks performed, maintenance schedules, and clear instructions for safe storage and disposal of blades.

Integrating it with other procedural documents, such as an SOP for deep fryer operation in a commercial kitchen, creates a more comprehensive safety framework.

Important: This is a template only. We have provided a solid foundation based on Australian WHS principles, but you must customise it to reflect the specific hazards and control measures relevant to your workplace.

A generic document is not sufficient for compliance; it must be made site-specific.

Key Elements to Customise

• Knife and Task Identification: List all types of knives used (e.g., utility knives, boning knives, butcher's knives) and the specific tasks they are used for.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Specify the mandatory PPE, such as cut-resistant gloves (including the required cut level rating), safety glasses, and aprons.
• Pre-operational Checks: Detail the process for inspecting knives before use, checking for sharpness, and ensuring handles are clean and intact.
• Step-by-Step Procedure: Clearly outline the safe steps for each cutting task, including proper grip techniques (e.g., the 'claw' grip), cutting direction (away from the body), and maintaining a stable cutting surface.
• Storage and Cleaning: Define the procedures for cleaning, sanitising, and storing knives safely, such as in designated knife blocks, magnetic strips, or sheaths. Never leave knives loose in sinks.
• Maintenance and Disposal: Describe how knives will be sharpened and who is responsible. Outline the procedure for safely disposing of worn-out or broken blades using a sharps container.
• First Aid and Emergencies: Specify the immediate first aid response for cuts and lacerations and list the locations of first aid kits and trained personnel.

When to use a Safe Operating Procedure

A Safe Operating Procedure for knife handling should be a core document used consistently across your organisation. It is essential for inducting new workers, providing refresher training for existing staff, and before undertaking non-routine cutting tasks.

The SOP should be readily available near work areas where knives are used. It also serves as a critical reference tool during incident investigations and regular WHS compliance audits to verify that documented procedures are being followed in practice.

Who should use it

This SOP is intended for all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) where knives are used. It must be read and understood by any worker required to handle knives as part of their job, including chefs, kitchen hands, butchers, food processing workers, warehouse staff, and retail employees who open boxes.

Supervisors and managers are responsible for implementing the SOP, ensuring workers are trained on its contents, and monitoring its application in the workplace. For complex operations, engaging specialist WHS consulting support can help ensure your procedures are robust. While this document is for manual knives, other cutting tools require their own specific procedures, such as our circular saw SOP.

By implementing and enforcing a clear SOP, you create a safer, more predictable work environment. Explore our free WHS resources library to find other templates that can help you build out your safety management system.