Hand Tool Safety

Construction/ maintenance

Hand tool safety

Safe tool methods job. Make sure the blow strikes squarely with Safety challenges In addition to having hand tools in excellent the face parallel to the surface it is striking. Never strike with the side or cheek of a Supervisors often fail condition and using them for the correct to train employees purpose, employees must also be taught hammer. on the safety, to use them correctly. Be sure they use the Screwdrivers: Use screwdrivers only for maintenance, and proper personal protective equipment for the replacement of their intended use—driving and withdrawing job and the tools being used. The following list manual hand tools. threaded fasteners. Never use them for This leads to higher identifies commonly-used hand tools and a brief scraping, prying, chiseling, or scoring. accident rates, loss description on how employees should use them: of production, lower Tool boxes: Tool boxes are meant to hold and quality of production, Chisels: Position yourself so the chisel will store tools. Do not stand on them or use them and higher business fly away from the body if it glances an object. as an anvil, saw horse, or a place to store food. costs. Four essential elements make up a Wrenches: Select a wrench with an opening good hand tool safety that exactly fits the nut. Do not use a leverage Safe storage and handling program: extension and do not use a wrench as a The same tools are often used at multiple work • Using a tool for hammer or crow bar. sites and by various employees. It is important its intended use Hand saws: Never place fingers or thumbs to keep track of all of them. When storing or • Keeping the tool close to the blade when starting to cut. moving tools, keep the following in mind: in good working • Is the person who is using the tools condition Pliers and wire cutters: Be very careful when authorized to do so and have they using these tools on or above live circuits as they • Using the tool checked out the tools? correctly may cause short circuits, burns, and shocks. (Continued) • Storing the Hammers: Always use a hammer tool properly of suitable size and weight for the

Find more on saif.com Construction/maintenance S1058 | Page 1 of 2 ©SAIF 10/18 • Are sheaths or guards available for Immediately correct the wrong use sharp-edged or pointed tools such as of tools knives and axes? Examples of improperly used hand tools • Is a tool crib or box available to deliver that resulted in injuries: tools to an outside work site? • Screwdriver used as a chisel • Are tools separated from the passenger compartment when being transported? • Knife used as a screwdriver • Are tools checked in and put back in their • Wrench used as a hammer appropriate place after use? (Some shops • File used as a drift pin to remove the have an outline of a tool to easily identify drill from the chuck missing items.) • Are all tools accounted for and checked Remember to repair or replace any damaged for defects prior to the end of each work equipment immediately. If you have further day and work week? questions dealing with hand tool safety, please contact your SAIF representative or the specific Identify and correct these common tool manufacturer. defects found in hand tools Chisels: Mushroomed or chipped heads, chipped or dull edges, over-tempered heads and points, too short for hand safety Mallets: Uneven, worn heads; poorly secured handles Files: Handles missing, chipped ends, teeth worn smooth or filled Hammers: Loose, split, or rough handles; chipped or battered heads; poorly secured handles (nails in place of wedge) Screwdrivers: Split or battered handles, dull or bent blade, bent shank Wrenches: Worn or sprung jaws; battered heads; rough, broken or sprung handles; worn mechanism