British health service centre bans paper fasteners

Have you ever injured yourself on a paper fastener like the one shown above, or the longer ones used to hold papers together in folders? (iStockphoto) Get ready to use a lot more staples than before if you're a U.K. hospital worker - as long as you don't end up hurting yourself.

Staff at the National Health Service centre in Manchester are no longer allowed to use metal paper fasteners anywhere on the premises after reports of injuries caused by the sharp-ish objects.

A memo sent to staff reads, "Due to recent incidents NHS Manchester has decided to immediately withdraw the use of metal paper fasteners.

"Please ensure that any that remain in use should now be replaced by similar plastic fasteners. The use of these metal fasteners is prohibited and must be carefully disposed of immediately. Thank you for your co-operation."

The Manchester Evening News reported that a picture of the offending metal fastener was included along with the memo.

Earlier, The Mirror and Metro reported that paper clips, not the metal paper fasteners that are used to hold papers together in folders or binders.

According to the Evening News, one staff member said,  "It is ridiculous. They're vaguely sharp, like drawing pins and fountain pens.

"I can only assume that the top brass think that they've employed idiots who need nannying through the working day."

Looking around the cbc.ca newsroom right now, it's clear that the average office space is rife with potential horrors. Staples, push pins, even heavy-duty printing paper can injure the careless employee nursing a coffee-to-sleep deficit. But is it enough of a worry to ban the use of them altogether?

How often have you cut or injured yourself on mundane office equipment?


(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)