Cable Ties - a warning if using

(Admin, please relocate if not in appropriate forum.)

Increasingly more jobs are being made simpler by the use of cable ties especially when wiring in accessories, holding light pipework etc. A word of warning though, if you cut the excess "tail" off the tie make sure the stub is rounded off or is otherwise modified to prevent a blade-like spur that could cause very serious injury. Cases have occurred when people have inserted their hand to locate some unassociated item only to find a deep and dangerous laceration to their forearm,(which has required urgent medical attention) as their arm has slid past one of the cut ends of a tie. Some companies have banned the use of these items due to the injuries sustained by employees. I have noticed there are various types of plastic being used in the manufacture of them with some recent ones having a more flexible texture, even so, the spur mentioned above could still cause severe injury. :!:

I know what you mean Dave, I file them when using them on CV joints, the zip ties I have at the moment are very strong and have a metal band coated in plastic, first time Ive come across these, they are great and really strong but the metal obtrusion can really catch you like the plastic.

Been there, done that several times over the years. I make a point of cutting them flush with the 'ratchet' bit when I use them, and I always trim any I come across that have been trimmed badly.

There is a guy who works for us who nearly died from a blood infection he got from a small scratch he got while on site. You can never be too careful with these things, especially where there is random dirt and crud.

I know these things can be sharp but I think common sense will prevail....... :shock:

One tip is, cut them and dab a bit of super glue in the box bit to permanently lock them, they can "give" some on the ratchet system if under stress but the dab of glue locks them for ever and welds it up so to speak, plus coats the ends if you get it right :wink:

I hold the flame from a lighter for a couple of seconds to the end,rounding it into a ball which not only blunts it but stops it from giving way should the ratchet fail.
This can only be done if there is no danger of setting fire to associated parts though. :shock:

G.

As a non smoker Ive never got the hang of lighters, I tend to fry my thumb :oops:

I always try to align them away from danger before the final tighten.
Its the same with jubilee clips, I tap the edges down on these as well.

Good posting