Weekly Safety Training: HAND TOOLS Hand tools are non-powered and include hammers, saws, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, shovels, and many others. They are so common we often fall into the trap of thinking they are harmless. Even though they are not powered, they can still be quite dangerous. Hand tool accidents often result from misuse and improper maintenance. Recognize the hazards associated with the tools you use and take precautions so those hazards don’t cause accidents and injuries. Here are eight things you can do to prevent accidents with hand tools. Put them into practice today. 1. Always take time to inspect the tool you are going to use. Look for splits, cracks, splinters, and lose parts. Any of these faults can cause injury. Look for lose heads on hammers and hatchets or for chips and cracks in hammer heads. Check chisels for chips and nicks in edges and mushroom heads. Inspect wrenches and pliers for bent jaws. 2. Always wear personal protective equipment. Eye protection is an absolute must when using hand tools. Gloves can help prevent blisters, can improve your grip, and some gloves are even cut-resistant. Ear plugs should be worn when you use impact tools. 3. Maintain tools before and after use. Dress mushroomed heads. Impact tools like chisels with mushroomed heads are unsafe because those little chips can crack off on impact and fly through the air. Wipe down wet tools with just a little light oil to prevent rust. 4. Keep tools clean. Mud, dirt, and grease can cause you to lose your grip. They can also dull cutting edges and cause premature wear. 5. Practice proper use. Use the tool as it was designed to be used. Never make do with another tool. Don’t “cheat” with hand tools: don’t use a pipe for extra leverage on a wrench, or strike a hand chisel with a hammer. 6. Keep hand tools sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous, harder to use, and less productive than sharp ones. Dull cutting edges take more force to cut and generally produce poor results. The additional force will tire you out, slow you down, and increase the likelihood of accidents. Take time to sharpen or replace dull blades. 7. Carry carefully. Carry hand tools with blades, points, and sharp edges pointed towards the ground. This will help prevent an impalement injury if you trip and fall. 8. Wear a tool belt. A tool belt makes it easier to carry small tools and keeps them handy while you’re working. It’s not a good idea to carry tools in your pockets. Hand tools help you get your job done, but many of them are inherently dangerous. It is up to you to use them safely. SAFETY REMINDER: Keep floors clean, dry, and free of obstacles to prevent accidental slips when you’re working with or around hand tools.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:04:44 +0000
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