Tools and Equipment

Course Objective:
• As the session closes, the user will be expected to
list the different safe guidelines in tool handling .

Hammer, Screw driver, Pliers, Saw (L – R)

• Almost all homes and offices carry a set of tools
for simple and fast remedies.

• Daily tasks are handled with better accuracy

and speed with the use of hand and portable
powered tools.

• In the process of removing or avoiding the

hazards, workers must learn to recognize the
hazards associated with the different types of
tools and the safety precautions necessary to
prevent those hazards.
 Operating Hand Tools
• Hand tools are non-powered.
They include anything from
axes to wrenches.
• The greatest hazards posed
by hand tools result from
misuse and improper
maintenance.
• Like using a screwdriver as a
chisel may cause the tip of the
screwdriver to break and fly,
hitting the user or other
employees.
Operating Hand Tools
• The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools
and equipment used by employees. The employees have
the responsibility for properly using and maintaining tools.

• Employers should caution employees that saw blades,

knives, or other tools be directed away from aisle areas and
other employees working in close proximity. Knives and
scissors must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous
than sharp ones.

• If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is

loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off
and strike the user or another worker.
• A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because
it might slip.
• Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if
they have mushroomed heads. The heads might shatter on
impact, sending sharp fragments flying.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety
goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn due to hazards that may
be encountered while using portable power tools and hand
tools.
• Safety requires that floors be kept as clean and dry as possible
to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand
tools.
• Around flammable substances, sparks produced by iron and
steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where
this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made from brass,
plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide for safety.
 Operating Power Tools
• Power tools can be hazardous
when improperly used. There are
several types of power tools, based
on the power source they use:
electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel,
hydraulic, and powder-actuated.

• Employees should be trained in the

use of all tools - not just power
tools.

• They should understand the

potential hazards as well as the
safety precautions to prevent those
hazards from occurring.
 The following general precautions should be
observed by power tool users:

• Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.

• Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the
receptacle.
• Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
• Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and when
changing
• Accessories such as blades, bits and cutters.
• All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the
work area.
• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to
operate the tool.
• Avoid accidental starting. The worker should not hold a finger
on the switch button
• Tools should be maintained with care. They should be kept
sharp and clean for the best performance. Follow instructions
in the user's manual for lubricating and changing accessories.
• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.
• Proper apparel should be worn. Loose clothing, ties, jewelry
can become caught in moving parts.
• All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed
from use and tagged "Do Not Use."
 Guards
• Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded.
• For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles,
drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving
parts of equipment must be guarded if such parts are exposed to
contact by employees.
• Safety guards must never be removed when a tool is being
used.
• For example, portable circular saws must be equipped with guards.
An upper guard must cover the entire blade of the saw.
• A retractable lower guard must cover the teeth of the saw, except
when it makes contact with the work material.
• The lower guard must automatically return to the covering position
when the tool is withdrawn from the work.
• Guards, as necessary, should be provided to
protect the operator and others from the
following:

– Point of operation,
– In-running nip points,
– Rotating parts, and
– Flying chips and sparks.
 Electric Tools

• Employees using electric tools must be

aware of several dangers; the most
serious is the possibility of electrocution.
• Among the chief hazards of electric-
powered tools are burns and slight shocks
that can lead to injuries or even heart
failure.
• Under certain conditions, even a small
amount of current can result in fibrillation
of the heart and eventual death.
• A shock also can cause the user to fall off
a ladder or other elevated work surface.
 Electric Sander
• To protect the user from shock, tools must either have a
three-wire cord with ground and be grounded, be double
insulated, or be powered by a low-voltage isolation
transformer.
• Three-wire cords contain two current-carrying conductors and
a grounding conductor.
• One end of the grounding conductor connects to the tool's
metal housing.
• The other end is grounded through a prong on the plug.
Anytime an adapter is used to accommodate a two-hole
receptacle, the adapter wire must be attached to a known
ground.
• The third prong should never be removed from the plug.
Double insulation is more convenient. The user and the tools are
protected in two ways: by normal insulation on the wires inside,
and by a housing that cannot conduct electricity to the operator in
the event of a malfunction.

These general practices should be followed when using

electric tools:

•Electric tools should be operated within their design limitations.

•Gloves and safety footwear are recommended during use of
electric tools.
•When not in use, tools should be stored in a dry place.
•Electric tools should not be used in damp or wet locations.
•Work areas should be well lighted.
 Powered Abrasive Wheel Tools
• Powered abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire
buffing wheels create special safety problems because they
may throw off flying fragments.
• Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it should be inspected
closely and sound- or ring-tested to be sure that it is free from
cracks or defects.
• To test, wheels should be tapped gently with a light non-
metallic instrument.
• If they sound cracked or dead, they could fly apart in
operation and so must not be used.
• A sound and undamaged wheel will give a clear metallic tone
or "ring."
• To prevent the wheel from cracking, the user should be sure it
fits freely on the spindle. The spindle nut must be tightened
enough to hold the wheel in place, without distorting the
flange. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Care
must be taken to assure that the spindle wheel will not exceed
the abrasive wheel specifications.

• Due to the possibility of a wheel disintegrating (exploding)

during start-up, the employee should never stand directly in
front of the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed.

• Portable grinding tools need to be equipped with safety

guards to protect workers not only from the moving wheel
surface, but also from flying fragments in case of breakage.
 Pneumatic Tools
• Pneumatic tools are powered by
compressed air and include chippers,
drills, hammers, and sanders.

• There are several dangers encountered

in the use of pneumatic tools.

• The main one is the danger of getting

hit by one of the tool's attachments or by
some kind of fastener the worker is
using with the tool.

• Eye protection is required and face

protection is recommended for
employees working with pneumatic Pneumatic hammer
tools.
• Noise is another hazard. Working with noisy tools such as
jackhammers requires proper, effective use of hearing
protection.
• When using pneumatic tools, employees must check to see
that they are fastened securely to the hose to prevent them
from becoming disconnected.
• A short wire or positive locking device attaching the air hose to
the tool will serve as an added safeguard.
• A safety clip or retainer must be installed to prevent
attachments, such as chisels on a chipping hammer, from
being unintentionally shot from the barrel.
• Compressed air guns should never be pointed toward anyone.
Users should never "dead-end" it against themselves or
anyone else.
 Powder-Actuated Tools
• Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and
should be treated with the same respect and
precautions. In fact, they are so dangerous that only
specially trained employees must operate them.
• Additional Safety precautions to remember include the
following:
– These tools should not be used in an explosive or
flammable atmosphere.
– Before using the tool, the worker should inspect it to
determine that it is clean, that all moving parts
operate freely, and that the barrel is free from
obstructions.
– The tool should never be pointed at anybody.
– The tool should not be loaded unless it is to be used
immediately. A loaded tool should not be left
unattended, especially where it would be available to
unauthorized persons.
• Hands should be kept clear of the barrel end.
• To prevent the tool from firing accidentally, two
separate motions are required for firing: one to
bring the tool into position, and another to pull
the trigger.

• The tools must not be able to operate until they

are pressed against the work surface with a
force of at least 5 pounds greater than the total
weight of the tool.

• If a powder-actuated tool misfires, the

employee should wait at least 30 seconds, then
try firing it again.

• If it still will not fire, the user should wait another

30 seconds so that the faulty cartridge is less
likely to explode, than carefully remove the load.
The bad cartridge should be put in water. Blast cap riveter
• Suitable eye and face protection are essential
when using a powder-actuated tool.

• The muzzle end of the tool must have a

protective shield or guard centered
perpendicularly on the barrel to confine any
flying fragments or particles that might
otherwise create a hazard when the tool is
fired.

• The tool must be designed so that it will not

fire unless it has this kind of safety device.
 General Safety Precautions
• Employees who use hand and power tools and who are exposed
to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, or
exposed to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be
provided with the particular personal equipment necessary to
protect them from the hazard.

• Following 5 basic safety rules can prevent all hazards involved in

the use of power tools:
– Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
– Use the right tool for the job.
– Examine each tool for damage before use.
– Operate according to the manufacturer's instructions.
– Provide and use the proper protective equipment.
Any questions?