[caption id="attachment_562" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Tips for Hand and Power Tool Safety[/caption]

Tips for Hand and Power Tool Safety

General safety tips for hand and power tools:

• Buy quality tools. Many tools, including cutters and hammers, should be made of steel and should be heat-treated.


• Regularly inspect tools to make sure they are in good shape and fit for use.


• Be sure to maintain your tools by performing regular maintenance, like grinding or sharpening. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.


• Dress for the job by avoiding loose clothing or articles that can get caught in a tool’s moving parts, like jewelry.


• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, like leather gloves.


• Use the right tool for the job. In other words, don’t try to use a wrench as a hammer.


• Make sure that your feet are planted on a stable surface.


• Be aware of the people around you and make sure they stay clear of the tools you are using.


• Never carry tools up a ladder by hand. Instead, use a bucket or bag to hoist tools from the ground to the worker.


• When working at heights, never leave tools lying out in the areas where they could present a hazard to workers below.


• When appropriate, secure work with a clamp or vise to keep it from slipping.


• Never carry pointed tools in your pocket. Carry them in a toolbox or cart instead.


• Inspect your tools on a regular basis, checking for damage. Report damaged tools to your supervisor.


• Make sure to keep extra tools handy in case the tool you had planned to use is damaged.


• Make sure tools are stored in a safe place.

Safety tips for electric power tools:

• Keep floors dry and clean to avoid slipping while working with or around dangerous tools.


• Keep cords from presenting a tripping hazard.


• Never carry a power tool by its cord.


• Use tools that are double-insulated or have a three-pronged cord and are plugged into a grounded receptacle.  


• Do not use electric tools in wet conditions unless they are approved for that use.


• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an assured grounding program.


• Use appropriate PPE.

• Verify that all parts of the tool are fastened securely before use.


• Never point a compressed air gun at yourself or another person.


• When you are finished using the tool, make sure that the pressure is released before you break the hose connections.


• Use a safety clip or retainer to prevent attachments from being ejected during operation, and use a chip guard when using high-pressure compressed air for cleaning. Be sure to limit the nozzle pressure to 30 pounds per square inch.


• Always wear eye protection.


• Use screens to protect nearby workers from flying fragments.


• Never leave your tool unattended.


• Never store a loaded air gun.