Hand and Power Tool Safety
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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What the Regulations say about Hand Tools
Employers 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.
Impact tools, such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels, shall be kept free of
mushroomed heads.
The wooden handles of tools shall be kept free of splinters or cracks and
shall be kept tight in the tool.
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Most common injuries from working with hand and
power tools
Flash burns
Falling
Hand and Eye injuries
Electric shock
Hearing loss
Crushing, cuts or
losing a body part
Basic Tool Safety Rules
Maintain regularly
Inspect before use
Use the right tool for the job
Operate according to manufacturers’ instructions .
Use the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Use guarding
Basic Rules for Portable Power Tools
Even small power tools can cause serious injury—on or off the job.
ALWAYS...
Use your tool only for what it was designed to do.
Know how to operate the tool before you try to use it.
Inspect tools before each use and replace or repair if parts are worn or damaged.
Make sure all nuts, bolts and other moveable parts are tightened before using the
. Tool.
Before plugging in or unplugging tools, be sure the power switch is turned to “OFF.”
When working on ladders or scaffolding, rest power tools on a flat surface or place
them in a bin secured to the ladder. Falling tools are dangerous.
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter when working with power tools.
Wear appropriate personal protectiveequipment.
NEVER
Never use any tool unless you are trained to do so.
Never unplug a tool by pulling on the cord.
Never clean or repair tool while the power is connected.
Never wear rings, jewelry or loose clothing when operating power tools.
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Hand Tools - Protection
Keep floor surface where working free
from debris and tripping or slipping
hazards
Keep cutting tools sharp
Use tools as they were intended to be
used
Use Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), such as safety glasses and
gloves
PPE determined by Job Hazard
Analysis (JHA)
Examples of PPE
Body Part Protection
Eye safety glasses, goggles
Face face shields
Head hard hats
Feet safety shoes
Hands and arms gloves
Bodies vests
Hearing earplugs, earmuffs
OSHA Office of Training and Education 9
Personal Protective Equipment
Responsibilities
• Employer
Assess workplace for hazards
Provide PPE
Determine when to use
Provide PPE training for employees and
instruction in proper use
• Employee
Use PPE in accordance with training
received and other instructions
Inspect daily and maintain in a clean and
reliable condition
OSHA Office of Training and Education 8
Power Tools
Must be fitted with guards and safety switches
Extremely hazardous when
used improperly
Different types, determined
by their power source:
Electric
Pneumatic
Liquid fuel
Hydraulic
Powder-actuated
Switches
Hand-held power tools must be equipped
with one of the following:
Constant pressure switch
shuts off power upon release
Examples: circular saw, chain saw, grinder,
hand-held power drill
On-Off Switch
Examples: routers, planers, laminate
trimmers, shears, jig saws, nibblers, scroll
saws
Power Tools - Precautions
Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing and
cleaning, and when changing accessories
Keep people not involved with the work away from the work
Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the
tool
Don’t hold the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool
Keep tools sharp and clean
Remove damaged electric tools & tag them: “Do Not Use”
Would you use this extension cord?
Electric Tools – Good Practices
Operate within design limits
Use gloves and safety shoes
Store in a dry place
Don’t use in wet locations unless
approved for that (use GFCI)
Keep work areas well lit
Ensure cords don’t present a tripping hazard
इलेक्ट्रिक उपकरण - अच्छी
प्रैक्टिसेस
डिजाइन सीमा के भीतर संचालित
दस्ताने और सुरक्षा के जूते का प्रयोग करें
एक सूखी जगह में स्टोर
रखें काम क्षेत्रों अच्छी तरह से रोशनी पड़ रही
डोरियों एक tripping खतरा मौजूद नहीं है
सुनिश्चित करें
Electric Tools – Good Practices
Operate within design limits
Use gloves and safety shoes
Store in a dry place
Keep work areas well lit
Ensure cords don’t present a tripping hazard
Abrasive Wheels and Tools
May throw off flying fragments
Equip with guards that:
Cover the spindle end, nut, &
flange projections
Maintain proper alignment with
the wheel
Don’t exceed the strength of the fastenings
Guard so that a minimal amount of the wheel
is exposed
Abrasive Wheel Work Rests
Keep work rests not more than
1/8th inch from wheel surface
This prevents jamming the
work between the wheel and
the rest, which may cause the
wheel to break
Don’t adjust wheel while it’s
rotating
Guarding
Guard exposed
moving parts of
power tools
Guard belts, gears,
shafts, pulleys,
sprockets, spindles,
flywheels, chains,
or other moving 20
Pneumatic Tools
Powered by
compressed air
Includes nailers,
staplers, chippers, Nail Gun -
drills & sanders Cut-Away View
Main hazard - getting
hit by a tool
attachment or by a
fastener the worker is
using with the tool
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Pneumatic Tools - Fastening
Ensure tool is fastened
securely to the air
hose to prevent a
disconnection
Wire used to secure hose
Use a short wire or
positive locking
device attaching the
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Pneumatic Tool Connections
Hose
Unacceptable
clamp
Acceptable
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Compressed Air Cleaning
Don’t use compressed air for cleaning
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Powder-Actuated Tools
User must be trained
and licensed to operate
Test tool each day
before loading to ensure
the safety devices are
working properly
Wear suitable ear, eye,
and face protection
Select a powder level
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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Powder-Actuated Tool Safety Tips
Don’t use in explosive or flammable
atmosphere
Inspect tool before use to ensure:
it is clean,
that moving parts operate freely
the barrel is free from obstructions and has
the proper shield, guard, and attachments
Don’t load the tool unless using immediately
Don’t leave a loaded tool unattended
Keep hands OSHA
clear of the barrel end
Office of Training and Education
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Reporting Accidents/Injuries
First priority is to receive prompt
medical attention (call 911)
Report all work-related accidents,
injuries or illnesses to your supervisor
Regardless of severity
Paperwork to be filled out
Incident Report
OSHA Office of Training and Education
Workers’ Compensation 27
Summary
Hazards are usually the result of improper tool use or
not following one or more of these protection
techniques:
Inspecting the tool before use
Read Tool Owners Manual prior to use
Using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Using guards
Properly storing and maintaining the tool
Keep the workplace neat and free of clutter
Using safe handling techniques
OSHA Office of Training and Education
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