Hand and power tool safety policy

If a tool misfires, the employee should hold it in place for thirty seconds before attempting to fire it again. If it misfires a second time, the employee should hold it in place for thirty seconds, remove the load, and immediately place the faulty cartridge in water to lessen the chance of explosion. Abrasive wheel tools can send sharp fragments and debris flying, potentially injuring the operator or nearby employees.

These tools must be equipped with a special guard, and wheels should be properly ring-tested before each use. Employees should never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise and must wear both eye and face protection. While hand and power tools can be dangerous, the majority of these injuries are caused by careless use or improper maintenance.

With proper training, inspection and maintenance schedules, you can reduce the risk of tool-related injuries in your workplace. Hand and Power Tools. Hand and Power Tools 2.

Contact Sales at. See how it works! Get started with your free day trial. Find Your Account Menu. Discover New SafetySkills Courses! Hand and Power Tool Safety.

Share This Post. Share on facebook. Share on linkedin. Share on twitter. Share on email. Pneumatic Tools Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air. Hydraulic Tools Hydraulic tools use pressurized fluid to generate force. When using a hydraulic jack, employees should always take the following precautions: Make sure that the base rests on a firm, level surface Ensure that the tool is correctly centered Verify that the tool bears against a level surface Check that the lift force is applied evenly Jacks should never be used to support a lifted load.

Liquid Fuel Tools Liquid fuel tools are powered by fuel, typically gasoline. Powder-Actuated Tools Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and may only be used by specially-trained and certified employees. Abrasive Wheel Tools Abrasive wheel tools can send sharp fragments and debris flying, potentially injuring the operator or nearby employees.

Summary While hand and power tools can be dangerous, the majority of these injuries are caused by careless use or improper maintenance. For more information, click here. Next Machine Guarding Next. More To Explore. For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts of equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees.

All hand-held power tools will be fitted with any one of the following safety switch methods as appropriate for the particular tool:. Portable electric tools will be of the approved double-insulated type and used with an approved grounding device such as a GFI Ground Fault Indicator to prevent the unlikely event of an electrical shock.

Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders. The fluid used in hydraulic powered tools will be fire-resistant and must retain its operating characteristics at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed.

The manufacturer's safe operating pressures for hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings will not be exceeded. Powder-actuated tools are also known as "explosive-actuated.

Only employees who have been trained in the safe operation of the particular powder-actuated tool in use will be allowed to operate a powder-actuated tool. Scope This Plan covers site-specific practices and requirements for safe hand and portable power tool operation and maintenance.

The Plan applies to list non-exhaustive : Hand-held tools and portable equipment with point-of-operation hazards or physical defects such as broken handles, mushroomed heads, or dull edges that may cause an injury to the user.

Knives, axes, shovels, hammers, chisels, and paper cutters. Portable power tools supplied by energy e. Lawnmowers and jacks. Responsibilities Caltech will protect its employees from hazards related to hand and portable power tools and equipment through engineering controls, tool safeguards, communication of hazards and solutions, employee training, and personal protective equipment PPE.

Maintaining training records, maintenance documentation, and inspection records of hand and portable power tools. Providing additional on-the-job OJT training if the employee is not familiar with the equipment.

Providing safe hand and portable power tool equipment to employees. Removing defective hand or portable power tools from service. Employees All employees who use hand and portable power tools will: Anticipate work hazards. Understand and follow the hand and power tool safety procedures in this Plan. Inspect hand and portable powers tool before use.

Refrain from using damaged hand or portable power tools. Use the right tool for the job. Immediately pull damaged tools from use and report them to a supervisor. Not tamper with or remove safety guards. Hand Tool A tool that is non-powered or operates only through physical exertion by hand e. Point of operation The area of a tool where the work is performed, which may expose the employee to injury if defective or not properly guarded. Portable power tool A portable tool that requires a power source to operate, such as electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, explosive-actuated, and powder-actuated device or power supply.

Examples of regulated portable power tools are portable abrasive wheels and grinders, lawn mowers, powered drills,portable circular saws, portable belt sanding machines, explosive-actuated fastening tools, jacks, and abrasive blast cleaning nozzles.

Hazard Assessments The Supervisor will ensure that a hazard assessment is conducted in each work area where hand and portable power tools may be used. The assessment will identify hazards that could expose employees to: Flying objects Electric shock Sparks Punctures or lacerations Crushing forces For example, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source around flammable substances.

General Safety Requirements Personal Protective Equipment PPE Employees using hand and power tools may be exposed to falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, flying dusts, fumes or mists, vapors or gases, and should be fitted with the appropriate PPE necessary to protect them from hazards.

Hearing Protection Hearing protection is recommended when using power tools. Housekeeping Floors will be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent slips and falls. Extension cords will be used as needed for temporary power only, and must be stored properly when not in use. Waste will be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles. All work areas and walkways will be well lit. Hand Tools Hand tools are non-powered or operate only through physical exertion by hand.

Hand tool precautions include the following: Use the right tool for the job. Saw blades, knives, and other sharp tools will be directed away from aisle areas and other employees working in close proximity.

Knives and scissors will be kept sharp; dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones. Only spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will be used around flammable substances. Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, box-end, and socket-style wrenches, will not be used when the jaws or socket are stripped or sprung in such a way that slippage occurs. Impact tools such as drill pins or punches, wedges, and chisels will be kept free of mushroomed heads.

Wooden-handled tools will be kept free of cracks and splinters and will be kept tightly attached to the working end of the tool. Tools will be stored in appropriate storage areas when not in use. Portable Power Tools A portable tool is one that requires a power source to operate, such as electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, explosive-actuated, and powder-actuated device or power supply.

Examples of regulated portable power tools include: Portable abrasive wheels and grinders Lawn mowers Powered drills Portable circular saws Portable belt sanding machines Explosive-actuated fastening tools Jacks Abrasive blast cleaning nozzles Power tool general precautions include the following: Read the owner's manual to understand the tool's proper applications, limitations, operation, and hazards Use the right tool for the job.

Inspect tools prior to each use. Inspection will include the power cord and plug. Wear proper eye and face protection while operating power tools. Never carry a tool by the cord or hose. Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle. Never stand in or near water when operating tools. Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges. Electric power tools will be either three-wire grounded or double-insulated and must be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories or another recognized listing agency.

Disconnect tools and ensure a zero-energy state when not in use, prior to servicing and cleaning, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits, and cutters. Keep unauthorized persons away from the work area by using signage, barricades, stanchions, keyed access, etc.

Avoid accidental starting; do not hold fingers on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool. Maintain tools with care; keep them sharp and clean for best performance. Never leave tools unattended with parts still moving; even after the machine is turned off, some parts may still be capable of moving. Maintain good housekeeping practices by keeping the work area free of debris or other items that can get caught in tools or power equipment.

Follow instructions in the user's manual for the tool when lubricating and changing accessories. Maintain good footing and balance when operating power tools. Do not wear loose clothing, ties, or jewelry when operating portable power tools; such items can become caught in moving parts.

Remove all damaged or defective portable electric tools from use and tag them: "Do Not Use. Always plug cord-connected, hand-held electric tools into ground-fault circuit interrupter GFCI -protected receptacles or in compliance with the facility's assured electrical grounding conductor program.

Cup wheels Types 6 and 11 will be protected by safety guards or special "revolving cup guards" which mount behind the wheel and turn with it. They will be made of steel or other material with adequate strength and will enclose the wheel sides upward from the back for one-third of the wheel thickness. Belt sanding machines will be provided with guards at each nip point where the sanding belt runs onto a pulley.

Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise. When operating a riding-rotary mower, never make sharp turns at high speeds, especially on a hill. Never put hands or feet under a running mower. Always shut off the mower and disconnect the spark plug before servicing or reaching under the mower deck. Guards Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded. Guards, as necessary, shall be provided to protect the operator and others from the following: Point of operation Nip points Rotating parts Flying chips and sparks Power tool guarding precautions include the following: Always consult supervisor when the manufacturer recommendations for guarding a specific power tool are not available or cannot be implemented.