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.

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Hand & Power Tools Recommendations

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or beginner do-it-yourselfer looking to save on the cost of hiring a professional, using power and hand tools to do small (and large) jobs around the house is something the majority of Americans have done and will continue to do. Power tools make lighter work of difficult jobs and are essential to those in the skilled trades.

It’s important to keep in mind that many tools can be quite dangerous when used incorrectly or without the right amount of knowledge or skill. Even with proper training, even the most expert tradesmen can still have an accident.

Possible injuries that can be caused by tools include cuts, crush injuries, bruises, pinches, electrical injuries including electrocution and fires, and even death in extreme cases.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) estimates that there were more than 12,000 reported cases of injuries to children under the age of 18 caused by power tools such as sanders, joiners, drills, etc. that were treated in hospital in the United States in 2013.

The number of actual injuries caused by power tools is bound to be quite higher than this, as the data from the CPSC only looked at those injuries which resulted in medical treatment at a participating hospital, and minor injuries were likely treated at home or another medical treatment facility not included in the reporting data. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 400,000 injuries or hospitalizations occur every year as a result of power tools.

Hand & Power Tools Recommendations

When purchasing

• For the most part, safety standards for tools have been created by a mix of consumer groups, government agencies, producers, retailers, and suppliers and they’re completely voluntary on the part of manufacturers. Look for a sticker on your item that tells you it’s been approved by CSA, NSC, ANSI, IEC, UL, CPSC or some other such safety association. Be cautious of purchasing products that are made in China, as regulatory standards are much different there than in the United States.
• Look for safety features such as automatic lockout, enclosed or covered blades, and/or a dust collection kit. Another key safety feature to look for in a power tool is whether or not it is double insulated, which will help protect the user from the risk of electrical shock.
• If your tool came with a warranty or registration card, be sure to complete the form and mail it in to the manufacturer. This way, you’ll be notified of any recalls or other safety information in the event of a problem with your model. Surveys done by Consumer Reports National Research Center show that most people seldom or never take this essential safety step.

Hand & Power Tools Recommendations

When operating

• Do not operate tools when over tired or if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol as the risk of injury will increase.
• Tie back any long hair and remove loose clothing or jewelry. If a tool calls for specific safety equipment, such as glasses or a hard hat to be worn when operating, do so. If you’re going to be using a loud tool for an extended period of time, consider using earplugs or noise muffling headphones in order t-o protect your hearing. You might also need a dust mask, depending on the tool you’re using.
• Ensure the power is turned off to any tool before plugging it in or installing a battery pack.
• Be aware of any safety symbols or warning icons on your tool and follow the recommendations for safe operation. Only use a tool for its intended job.
• When using a saw, ensure you do not use your hands to push material through to the blade, but rather use another piece of ‘junk’ wood to push an item through.
• If necessary, use clamps to hold material in place. Always wait for all moving components of a power tool to stop before removing clamps or changing any parts.
• Keep all tools out of reach of children, and do not operate near wet or otherwise dangerous surfaces. A safe work area is essential.
• If using an extension cord, ensure it is out of the way and not a trip hazard. Outdoor use of power tools calls for an outdoor-rated cord. And, don’t forget that 3-pronged (grounded) tools must be plugged into the proper outlet – never under any circumstances should you remove the third prong or modify a plug in any way.

Hand & Power Tools Recommendations

When cleaning

• Unplug your power tools before cleaning in order to prevent any nasty surprises. Take them to a professional if you are nervous or unsure about cleaning them yourself. Maintaining your tools properly can help prolong their life and keep them safe for many years to come.
• Take extra care when cleaning or changing out the blades of cutting tools such as saws. They will be especially sharp and can easily cut you.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and cleaning of your tools, and don’t hesitate to contact them if you should have a question about something specific that isn’t covered in your user manual.

In case of accident

• In all cases of injury or accident, stop using the tool immediately and when possible, disable the power source.
• In case of a cut, pinch or other mild injury, immediately remove yourself from the area and seek first aid treatment when necessary.

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Safe handling of tools

Safe handling of tools

Workers should be trained on safe procedures for working with tools. However, safe practices when carrying or storing those tools may not be thoroughly covered. Tools can pose a safety risk when they are misplaced or improperly handled by workers. The National Safety Council offers the following tips for safe handling of tools when they are not in use:

• Workers should never carry tools up or down a ladder in a way that inhibits grip. Ideally, tools should be hoisted up and down using a bucket or strong bag, rather than being carried by the worker.
• Tools should always be carefully handed from one employee to another – never tossed. Pointed tools should be passed either in their carrier or with the handles toward the receiver.
• Workers carrying large tools or equipment on their shoulders should pay close attention to clearances when turning and maneuvering around the workplace.
• Pointed tools such as chisels and screwdrivers should never be carried in a worker’s pocket. Accept­able ways to carry them include in a toolbox, pointed down in a tool belt or pocket tool pouch, or in the hand with the tip always held away from the body.
• Tools should always be put away when not in use. Leaving tools lying around on an elevated structure such as a scaffold poses a significant risk to workers below. This risk increases in areas with heavy vibration.

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Risks associated with lifting operations

What makes manual lifting hazardous?

There are several risk factors that may increase the occurrence of injury from manual lifting . These factors are related to the different characteristics of the load, the task and organization of the work, the work environment and the worker

The load, which may be:

• too heavy – There is no exact weight limit that is safe. A weight of 25 kg is heavy to lift for most people, especially if the load is handled several times in an hour
• too large – if the load is large, it is not possible to follow the basic rules for lifting and carrying — to keep the load as close to the body as possible; thus, the muscles will get tired more rapidly; moreover, the shape or size may obscures the worker’s view, thus increasing the risk of slipping, tripping or falling
• unbalanced or unstable objects or if the contents can move make it difficult to hold the center of gravity of the load close to the middle of body; this leads to uneven loading of muscles and fatigue; moreover, liquid causes uneven loading of the muscles and sudden movements of the load can make the worker lose their balance and fall
• difficult to grasp: this can result in the object slipping and causing an accident; loads with sharp edges or with dangerous materials can injure workers. Gloves usually make the grasping more difficult than with bare hands. Providing the objects with handles or using aids for gripping (e.g. when carrying plate material) reduces the load on the worker.

The task and organization of the work, if it requires:

• awkward postures or movements, e.g. a bent and/or twisted trunk, raised arms, bent wrists, over-reaching
• a high frequency or repetition with insufficient recovery periods;
• a high rate of work, which cannot be influenced by the worker
• unstable loads or loads handled with the body in an unstable posture.

The work environment, if it has:

• insufficient room, in particular vertically, to carry out the activity; this may lead to awkward postures
• uneven floors, thus presenting tripping hazards, is unstable or is slippery in relation to the worker’s footwear
• bad position of the load or work place design, causing reaching with the arms, bending or twisting the trunk and elevated arms yield high muscular force
• variations floor levels or in working surface, requiring the load to be manipulated on different levels
• unsuitable temperature, humidity or ventilation, making workers feel tired; sweat makes it hard to hold tools, meaning that more force must be used; cold can make hands numb, making it hard to grip
• insufficient lighting, increasing the risk of accidents, or force workers into awkward positions to see clearly what they are doing.

Individual characteristics, such as:

• lack of experience, training and familiarity with the job
• age: the risk of low back disorders increases with age and with the number of years at work
• physical dimensions and capacity such as height, weight and strength
• prior history of musculoskeletal disorders, in particular back disorders.

Moreover, manual handling of heavy loads can cause injuries if the load suddenly hits the worker or causes slipping or falling. Handling of smaller loads for a long time without rest can result in fatigue. For a tired person loads can become too heavy after hours of handling, resulting in faulty movements, and the risk of injuries and disorders will increase.

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What is 5S?

5S is a system for organizing spaces so work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely. This system focuses on putting everything where it belongs and keeping the workplace clean, which makes it easier for people to do their jobs without wasting time or risking injury.
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