Hand and Power Tool Safety

Regulations Covering �Hand and Power Tools

• For General Industry
• 1910 Subpart P, Hand and Portable Power Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment.
• 1910.241, Definitions.
• 1910.242, Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general.
• 1910.243, Guarding of portable powered tools.
• 1910.244, Other portable tools and equipment.

What the Regulations �Say About Hand Tools

Each employer shall be responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, including tools and equipment which may be furnished by employees.

Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.

What the Regulations �Say About Hand Tools

Students shall not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools.

Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches shall not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs.

The wooden handles of tools shall be kept free of splinters or cracks and shall be kept tight in the tool.

General Safety Precautions

• Students and Teachers have a responsibility to work together to establish safe working procedures. If a hazardous situation is encountered, it should be brought to the attention of the teacher immediately

General Safety Precautions

• Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools.

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• Floors should be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools. Clean up after Yourself

Hand Tools

• Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

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Hand Tool Misuse

• The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.
• Some examples:
• Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly, hitting the user or other employees.
• If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or another worker.
• A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip.

Hand Tools

Everyone is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment, notify the teacher immediately if a tool is broken.

Saw blades, knives, or other tools be directed away from aisle areas and other students working in close proximity. Knives and scissors must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones.

What Are Spark Resistant Tools

• "Non-sparking", "spark-resistant" or "spark-proof" tools are names given to tools made of metals such as brass, bronze, Monel metal (copper-nickel alloy), copper-aluminum alloys (aluminum bronze), copper-beryllium alloys (beryllium bronze), and titanium.
• Preferred "non-sparking" metals have less tensile strength than steels usually used to make tools. A lower tensile strength means the metal has less strength or resistance to tearing apart when stretched under test conditions.
• It also means that these tools are softer, wear down more quickly than ordinary steel tools, and have to be dressed more frequently.

Common Hand Tools

Today’s Power Tools

Offer more power, adaptability and dependability than ever before.

With enhanced tool performance comes the responsibility to address power-tool safety issues.

Hazards of Power Tools

• All hazards involved in the use of power tools can be prevented by following five basic safety rules:
• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Examine each tool for damage before use.
• Operate according to the Safety Rules
• Provide and use the proper protective equipment.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

The following information offers general safety guidelines for power tools

Individual manufacturers' tool owner/operator manuals, shipped with tools and accessories, are recommended as a final source for proper procedures for specific tool use.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

• Know the power tool.
• Operators must read and understand the owner's manual.
• Labels affixed or included in the shipping container must be read and understood.
• Ground all tools unless double insulated.
• Avoid dangerous environments. Do not use power tools in a damp, wet and/or explosive atmosphere -- fumes, dust or flammable materials.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

Follow Safety Guidelines

Wear proper apparel. Do not wear loose clothing, dangling objects or jewelry. Long hair must be restrained. Gloves should not be worn when operating certain power tools.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.

Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle.

Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.

Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

• All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the work area.
• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.
• Avoid accidental starting. Studentss should not hold a finger on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.
• The proper apparel should be worn. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can become caught in moving parts.
• All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed from use and tagged "Do Not Use."

General Safety Precautions-Electric Tools

• Under certain conditions, even a small amount of current can result in fibrillation of the heart and eventual death.
• A shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface.

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Portable Circular Saws

Among professionals, the circular saw is probably the most commonly used power saw and perhaps the most commonly abused.

Familiarity should not breed carelessness.

The following are specific safety musts when using any portable circular saws.

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Portable Circular Saw�Safety Precautions

Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields complying with the current national standard and a full face shield when needed.

Don't wear loose clothing, jewelry or dangling objects, including long hair, that may catch in rotating parts or accessories.

Don't use a circular saw that is too heavy for you to easily control.

Portable Circular Saw�Safety Precautions

• Be sure the switch actuates properly. It should turn the tool on and return to the off position after release.
• Use sharp blades. Dull blades cause binding, stalling and possible kickback. They also waste power and reduce motor and switch life.
• Use the correct blade for the application. Check this carefully. Does it have the proper size and shape arbor hole? Is the speed marked on the blade at least as high as the no-load RPM on the saw's nameplate?

Portable Circular Saw�Safety Precautions

• Is the blade guard working? Check for proper operation before each cut. Check often to ensure that guards return to their normal position quickly. If a guard seems slow to return or hangs up, repair or adjust it immediately. Never defeat the guard to expose the blade by, for example, tying it back or removing it.
• Before starting a circular saw, be sure the power cord and extension cord are out of the blade path and are long enough to freely complete the cut. Keep aware of the cord location. A sudden jerk or pulling on the cord can cause loss of control of the saw and a serious accident.

Portable Circular Saw�Safety Precautions

• For maximum control, hold the saw firmly with both hands after securing the workpiece. Clamp workpieces. Check frequently to be sure clamps remain secure.
• Avoid cutting small pieces that can't be properly secured and material on which the saw shoe can't properly rest.
• When you start the saw, allow the blade to reach full speed before contacting the workpiece.
• When making a partial cut, or if power is interrupted, release the trigger immediately and don't remove the saw until the blade has come to a complete stop.

Portable Drills

Available in a variety of types and capacities, portable power drills are undoubtedly the most used power tools.

Because of their handiness and application to a wide range of jobs, drills often receive heavy use.

For this reason, you'll need to check with care your drill's capacity limitations and accessory recommendations.

Portable Drill Safety Precautions

Check carefully for loose power cord connections and frays or damage to the cord. Replace damaged tool and extension cords immediately.

Be sure the chuck is tightly secured to the spindle. This is especially important on reversible type drills.

Tighten the bit securely as prescribed by the owner/operator's manual. The chuck key must be removed from the chuck before starting the drill. A flying key can be an injury-inflicting missile.

Portable Drill Safety Precautions

• Check auxiliary handles, if part of the tool. Be sure they are securely installed. Always use the auxiliary drill handle when provided. It gives you more control of the drill, especially if stalled conditions occur. Grasp the drill firmly by insulated surfaces.
• Always hold or brace the tool securely. Brace against stationary objects for maximum control. If drilling in a clockwise -- forward -- direction, brace the drill to prevent a counterclockwise reaction.
• Don't force a drill. Apply enough pressure to keep the drill bit cutting smoothly. If the drill slows down, relieve the pressure. Forcing the drill can cause the motor to overheat, damage the bit and reduce operator control.