Transcript Hand Tools Safety Training Page 1 

Hand Tools
Safety Training
 2006 RiskAnalytics, LLC
Page
 2006 RiskAnalytics,
LLC 1
Learning Objectives
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At the end of this session the participant should be
able to:
1.
Identify the hazards associated with various types of
hand tools
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Understand the safety best practices that can prevent
accidents and injuries when using hand tools
Know the appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE) that can protect workers against injuries
3.
 2006 RiskAnalytics, LLC
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Introduction
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Hand tools are used by virtually everyone
Hand tools include anything from axes to wrenches
Misuse accounts for the majority of accidents and injuries
involving hand tools
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7 - 8 percent of all compensable injuries each year in the
construction industry
Improper maintenance is another leading cause of injuries
Even though the tool is powered by human inertia, these
injuries often involve severe disabilities
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Common Hand Tool Hazards
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Workers using hand tools may be exposed to a number of
potentially serious hazards:
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Falling objects
Objects that fly as a result of contact with tools
Objects that are abrasive, or splash
Harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, and gases
Contact with electrical power sources
Hazards are usually caused by misuse and improper
maintenance
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Common Hazards Lead to Serious Injuries
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The following are typical hand tool injuries and some of the
probable causes:
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Loss of eye/vision - using a hammer without eye protection
Puncture wounds - using a screwdriver as a pry-bar
Severed fingers, tendons and arteries - using a dull knife requires so
much force that your hand may slip down the blade.
Broken bones - using the wrong hammer for the job and smashing a
finger.
Contusions - using a small wrench for a big job and bruising a
knuckle.
Using a Hammer
Without Eye Protection
Using a Screwdriver
as a Pry-Bar
Sledgehammer
Crushed Thumb
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Hazard Prevention: Inspect Tools Before Use
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All hand tools must be inspected before they are used
Never use a tool if its handle has splinters, burrs, cracks,
splits or if the head of the tool is loose
Never use impact tools such as hammers, chisels, punches
or steel stakes that have mushroomed heads.
Tag worn, damaged or defective tools "Out of Service" and
do not use them
Cracked Handle
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Hazard Prevention: Personal Protective Equipment
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PPE must be used whenever a worker could come into
contact with a hazard
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With hand tools in a construction site, that means safety glasses,
safety shoes, hard hat and gloves all the time!
Most hand tool injuries could be avoided with the proper use of
PPE
PPE is designed for the work being performed - use the
right equipment!
PPE must be maintained in good condition, kept clean
and properly stored when not in use
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Basic Tool Safety Practices
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Safety is a state of mind. Always think when using a tool:
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Only use a tool for the job in which it was designed
Chisels, screwdrivers or other pointed tools should never be
carried in clothing pockets
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Is it in good condition?
Is it sized right for the job?
Is it in the proper working condition - sharp, clean, oiled, dressed and
not abused?
Always use tool belts designed for carrying tools
Never wear sandals, open-toed or canvas shoes when
working with tools
Avoid loose-fitting clothes that might become entangled in a
tool
Always remove rings and other jewelry
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Basic Tool Safety Practices, continued
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Make sure your grip and footing are secure when using large
tools
Never carry tools up ladders - use a hoist or rope
Use extra caution when using tools at heights - a falling tool
can kill a co-worker
Always pass a tool to another person by the handle - never
toss it to them
Select ergonomic tools for your work task when movements
are repetitive and forceful
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Safety Best Practice - Knives
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Only use a knife with a blade that is fully
sharpened
Always cut in the direction away from your
body
Never use knives that have broken or loose
handles
Never use knives as screwdrivers, pry bars,
or can openers
Never pick up knives by their blades
Always carry knives with their tips pointed
towards the floor
Never carry knives, scissors or other sharp
tools in your pockets unless they are first
placed in their sheath or holder
Never attempt to catch a falling knife
Store knives in sheaths after using them
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Safety Best Practice - Chisels
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Only use chisels that have been fully sharpened
Never use chisels that have "mushroomed"
striking heads
Whenever possible, hold a chisel by using a tool
holder
Always clamp small work pieces in the vise and
chip towards the stationary jaw of the vise
Always chip or cut away from yourself and be
sure to keep both hands back of the cutting
edge
Always wear safety glasses or a face shield
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Safety Best Practice - Hammers
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Never use a hammer if your hands are oily,
greasy or wet
Always check behind you before swinging a
hammer
Use a claw hammer for pulling nails.
Never strike nails or other objects with the
"cheek" of the hammer
Do not strike a hardened steel surface, such
as a cold chisel, with a claw hammer.
Never strike one hammer against another
hammer
Never use a hammer as a wedge or a pry bar
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Safety Best Practice - Hand Saws
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Always keep handsaws sharp and free of rust
to prevent them from binding or jumping
Never carry a saw by the blade
Always hold the work piece firmly against a
work table
Keep control of saws by releasing downward
pressure at the end of the stroke.
Never use an adjustable blade saw such as a
hacksaw, coping saw, keyhole saw or bow
saw, if the blade is not taut.
Oil saw blades after each use
Never force the saw through the cut as this
may cause the saw to buckle or fly out of the
groove causing an injury
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Safety Best Practice - Screwdrivers
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Never use a screwdriver if your hands are wet, oily or greasy
Always match the size and type of screwdriver blade to fit the
head of the screw
Do not hold the work piece against your body while using a
screwdriver
Never put your fingers near the blade of the screwdriver when
tightening a screw
Never use a screwdriver to make a starting hole for screws
Never use a screwdriver as a chisel, pry bar or nail puller
When performing electrical work, always use an insulated
screwdriver
Never use a screwdriver to test the charge of a battery
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Safety Best Practice - Wrenches
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Never use wrenches that are bent, cracked or badly
chipped or that have loose or broken handles
Discard any wrench that has spread or battered
jaws, if the handle is bent, or if a wrench has broken
or battered points
Never slip a pipe over a single head wrench handle
for increased leverage.
Never use a shim to make a wrench fit
Pull on a wrench using a slow, steady pull -- do not
use push force on a wrench - losing your balance is
more likely if the wrench slips
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Safety Best Practice - Pliers
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Never use pliers that are cracked,
broken or sprung
Never use pliers as a wrench or a
hammer
Do not attempt to force pliers by using a
hammer on them
Never slip a pipe over the handles of
pliers to increase leverage
When performing electrical work, always
use insulated pliers
When using the diagonal cutting pliers,
shield the loose pieces of cut material
from flying into the air by using a cloth or
your gloved hand
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Safety Best Practice - Snips
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Never use snips as a hammer, screwdriver or pry
bar
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
when using snips to cut materials
Always wear your work gloves when cutting
materials with snips
Keep the blade aligned by tightening the nut and
bolt on the snips.
Never use straight cut snips to cut curves
Always use the locking clip on the snips after you
have finished using them - never leave or store
snips in the open position
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Safety Best Practice - Vise and Clamps
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Never use a vise that has worn or broken jaw inserts, or has
cracks or fractures in the body of the vise
Position the work piece in the vise so that the entire face of the
jaw supports the work piece
When clamping a long work piece in a vise, support the far end of
the work piece by using an adjustable pipe stand or saw horse
Never slip a pipe over the handle of a vise to gain extra leverage
Never use the C-clamp for hoisting materials
Never use the C-clamp as a permanent fastening device
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Safety Best Practice - Jacks
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The manufacturer's rated capacity must be
marked on all jacks and all jacks must have a
stop indicator
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Jacks should be lubricated and inspected
regularly
When setting up a jack, ensure:
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Never exceed the capacity or the stop indicator
The base is centered on a firm, level surface
The jack head is placed against a level surface
The lift force is applied evenly
Put a block under the base of the jack when the
foundation is not firm
Place a block between the jack cap and load if the
cap might slip
Immediately block the load after it is lifted
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Safety Best Practice - Tool Chests and Boxes
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Always use the handle when opening and
closing a drawer or door of a tool box or chest
Never stand on tool boxes, chests or cabinets
to gain extra height
Always lock the wheels on tool boxes and
chests
Never open more than one drawer at a time
Always push large chests and tool boxes; never
pull them
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Close and lock all drawers and doors before
moving the tool chest to a new location
Never move a tool box or chest if it has loose
tools or parts on the top
Do not use a tool box or chest as a workbench
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Summary
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Only use a tool for the job in which it was
designed
Always inspect tools before using them
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Never use tools that are loose or cracked
Tag worn, damaged or defective tools "Out of
Service" and do not use them
Always keep tools sharp and in good
condition
After using a tool, clean it and put it back in its
proper place
Always wear PPE that is appropriate for the
work
Never wear loose clothes or jewelry
Never work with oily or greasy hands
Remember: You are the key controlling
influence that can minimize the hazard!
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