1 Hand and Power Tool Safety

2 OSHA Regulations For General Industry 1910 Subpart P - Hand and Portable Power Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment Definitions Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general Guarding of portable powered tools Other portable tools and equipment

3 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

4 Hazards Workers using hand and power tools may be exposed to these hazards:  O bjects that fall, fly, are abrasive, or splash  Harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, and gases  Frayed or damaged electrical cords, hazardous connections and improper grounding

5 Basic Tool Safety Rules Maintain regularly Use right tool for the job Inspect before use Operate according to manufacturers’ instructions Use the right personal protective equipment (PPE) Use guards

6 6 Machine Guarding Point of Operation must That point where work is performed on the material, such as cutting, shaping, boring, or forming of stock must be guarded!

7 7 Machine Guarding Machine Guarding Requirements for Safeguards Prevent contact Prevent contact - prevent worker’s body or clothing from contacting hazardous moving parts Secure Secure - firmly secured to machine and not easily removed Protect from falling objects Protect from falling objects - ensure that no objects can fall into moving parts Create no new hazards Create no new hazards - must not have shear points, jagged edges or unfinished surfaces Create no interference Create no interference - must not prevent worker from performing the job quickly and comfortably Allow safe lubrication Allow safe lubrication - if possible, be able to lubricate the machine without removing the safeguards

8 Guarding Guard exposed moving parts of power tools Guard belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, flywheels, chains, or other moving parts Never remove a guard when a tool is in use

9 Hand Tool Hazards Hazards are usually caused by misuse and improper maintenance Do not use:  wrenches when jaws are sprung  impact tools (chisels and wedges) when heads have mushroomed  tools with loose, cracked or splintered handles  a screwdriver as a chisel  tools with taped handles – they may be hiding cracks Crack

10 Proper Use Always use the right tool for the job. Each tool is designed for a specific function. Use only tools that are in good condition. Do not use tools that are damaged or not in good condition. Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes from flying objects and tool parts. Pay attention to positioning to ensure that balance can be maintained and to prevent muscle strain.

11 Screwdrivers Inspect the tip for chips or cracks prior to using. Discard and replace any damaged screwdriver. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE a damaged screwdriver. Use the correct tip for the job (e.g. Don’t use a Torx tip for a Phillips tip application). Never use a screwdriver as a punch, wedge, pry bar, or chisel.

12 Hammers Inspect the tip of the hammer for chips, cracks or a mushroom head, the handle for cracks, or splintering, and that the head is securely attached to the handle Discard and replace any damaged hammer. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE a damaged hammer! When using a hammer be sure to position yourself so that you can apply the hammer blow square and parallel to the surface being struck

13 Wrenches Inspect the wrench handle and head for chips and cracks. Verify that the teeth are sharp and not worn Discard and replace any damaged wrench. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE a damaged wrench Position yourself so that you can apply force to the wrench so that your wrist is in-line with your forearm Be sure your feet are securely positioned so that you can maintain balance as you apply force to the wrench. Always pull the wrench toward you instead of pushing away from your body

14 Chisels Inspect the chisel for a chipped or bent tip, and the head for mushrooming Discard and replace any damaged chisel. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE a damaged chisel Always wear leather cloves and safety goggles when using a chisel Be sure that anyone who may be present is positioned behind you when you strike the chisel head.

15 Pliers Inspect the joint of the pliers for smooth operation. The joint should not be loose-fitting or excessively resistant to movement Check the handle and pliers tips for cracks Discard and replace any damaged pliers. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE damaged pliers Do not use a pliers as a wrench. A pliers is designed for gripping an object.

16 Hand Saws Inspect the teeth of the saw for visual wear or dullness Check that the handle is securely mounted to the saw blade Discard and replace any damaged saw, or have the teeth sharpened before using.. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE damaged pliers Always wear leather gloves when using a hand saw Make sure that the object being cut is fixed securely to prevent movement during cutting When cutting do not apply excessive force and cause the saw blade to bend.

17 Protection When Using Hand Tools Use PPE - safety gloves and eye protection Keep floor surface where working free from debris and tripping or slipping hazards Keep cutting tools sharp

18 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

19 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

20 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  Consider what you wear – loose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving parts  Remove damaged electric tools & tag them: “Do Not Use”

21 Power Tools – Precautions Electric Cords Don’t carry portable tools by the cord Don’t use electric cords to hoist or lower tools Don’t yank cord or hose to disconnect it Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges

22 To protect a worker from shock, these tools must:  have a 3-wire cord plugged into a grounded receptacle  be double insulated, or  be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer Electric Power Tools Double insulated markings Plug with a grounding pin

23 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 Keep work areas well lit Ensure cords don’t present a tripping hazard

24 Taking Care Of Pneumatic Tools  Compressed air tools are commonly used in many workplaces  Many workers take them for granted, ignoring the hazards involved in their use  Compressed air is not "just air"  It's a focused stream of air driven at a high velocity, which can cause serious injury or death to its operator or persons in the immediate area

25 Pneumatic Tools  Fooling around with compressed air can be lethal  In one case, a blast of air playfully directed behind a worker startled him and caused him to fall against a moving piece of machinery  A misdirected blast of compressed air can "pop" an eyeball from its socket, rupture an eardrum or cause a brain hemorrhage  Directed at the mouth, it can rupture the lungs and intestines  If used to blow dust or dirt off clothing or body parts, it can cause bubbles of air to enter the blood stream, even through a layer of clothing, and inflate and rupture body organs

26 Pneumatic Tools Powered by compressed air Includes nailers, staplers, chippers, drills & sanders Main hazard - getting hit by a tool attachment or by a fastener the worker is using with the tool Take the same precautions with an air hose that you take with electric cords Nail Gun - Cut-Away View

27 Liquid Fuel Tools Usually gas powered Main hazard – fuel vapors Use only approved flammable liquid containers Before refilling a fuel- powered tool tank, shut down the engine and allow it to cool Concrete Saw Sprayer

28 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 that will do the work without excessive force

29 Related Accident  An employee was using a powder actuated tool to install fasteners through metal decking and into a concrete floor above  He shot at an angle, and the stud went through the metal deck, ricocheted, and struck him in the head, killing him  The employer was issued three citations, two serious and one willful.

30 Fatal Fact Employee killed when struck in head by a nail fired from a powder actuated tool Tool operator was attempting to anchor a plywood form in preparation for pouring a concrete wall

31 Easily Penetrated Material Avoid driving into materials easily penetrated unless materials are backed by a substance that will prevent the pin or fastener from passing through Also, don’t drive fasteners into very hard or brittle material that might chip or splatter, or make the fasteners ricochet

32 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 clear of the barrel end Never point the tool at anyone Store unloaded in a locked box

33 Homemade Tools Should never be used! Have not been third-party tested and certified Engineering questionable or non-existent

34 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  Using PPE  Using guards  Properly storing the tool  Using safe handling techniques

35 End Of Chapter Eleven Questions? Comments? Concerns?