That sucks, cuts are always bad in my book. I usually just unsnap one side of the knoby rubber thing (Lazer and mora) and let the whole thing just fall off. Buckets/pails are way too bulky, IMO, but whatever keeps ya safe....use it. I tend to be a minimalistic angler and pails take up too much space for me. StrikeMaster (I think) has a guard that’s suppose to come off with using your foot and snap back on just by placing the auger head in it. I haven’t heard much good news about them though.
Using traditional style blade covers actually keeps myself reminded that those blades are always sharp and to treat them with respect. It seems like I have more focus putting the blade cover back on than I do the entire day of fishing lol.
I hope it works out for you and your buddy isn’t too badly injured.