Use this SOP when situational, environmental, or physical conditions reduce control. Adverse conditions override speed and productivity. The rule is simple: slow down or stop. Control always takes priority over finishing a cut.

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1. Condition Recognition
   1. Identify degraded grip from wet hands, slick handles, or failing gloves.
   2. Identify degraded visibility from darkness, glare, or visual obstruction.
   3. Identify unstable footing or shifting work surfaces.
   4. Identify cognitive fatigue, distraction, or stress.
   5. Inspect for knife damage or mechanical failure (loose handle, chipped edge, bent tip, cracked blade, sheath failure).
2. Immediate Adjustment Protocol
   1. Reduce speed immediately.
   2. Reconfirm full grip before blade movement.
   3. Widen stance and stabilize posture.
   4. Re-establish safe slip direction.
   5. Inspect knife condition.
   6. Abort cutting if structural damage is present.
   7. Switch tools if the knife is unsafe.
3. Wet or Slippery Conditions
   1. Dry hands if possible.
   2. Use gloves if available and functional.
   3. Shorten cutting strokes.
   4. Increase distance from body.
   5. Pause between cuts to confirm grip.
4. Cold or Numb Hands
   1. Stop cutting if sensation is reduced.
   2. Restore circulation before resuming.
   3. Re-test grip strength.
   4. Resume only after control returns.
5. Low Visibility
   1. Add light or stop cutting.
   2. Do not cut by feel.
   3. Reconfirm blade orientation before each stroke.
6. Fatigue or Stress
   1. Pause cutting.
   2. Reset breathing.
   3. Re-check posture and stance.
   4. Resume only with stable control.
7. Abort Conditions
   1. Loss of grip confidence.
   2. Loss of safe slip direction.
   3. Shaking hands.
   4. Mental distraction.
   5. Knife structural damage.

   Abort rule: secure the knife immediately and stop work.

Environment overrides skill. If unsure, stop. Never push through degraded control.

Immediate correction rule: Stop. Reset. Restore control. Resume.

• [ ] Grip remained stable.
• [ ] Slip direction maintained.
• [ ] Cutting slowed appropriately.
• [ ] No blind cuts occurred.
• [ ] Knife secured after use.

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