Module Overview

• Hand and Power Tool Safety • Module covers:

– Various hazards, basic safety procedures and safeguards associated with hand and portable power tools.

– Training information presented should not be considered as a substitute for the full safety and health standards for general industry or for the construction industry.

– Estimated length: 30 minutes.

Module Overview

• Module Description – Objectives

• Given current OSHA and industry information regarding construction worksite illnesses, injuries and fatalities, the student will be able to recognize Hand & Power Tool hazards in construction.

• Specifically, the student will be able to: • 1: Identify major hazards associated with hand & power tools • 2: Describe types of hand & power tool hazards • 3: Protect themselves from hand & power tool hazards • 4: Recognize employer requirements to protect workers from

exposure to hazards associated with hand & power tools.

Module Overview

• References • OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, others.

• OSHA requirements, various sections of: – 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry). – 29 CFR 1926 (Construction).

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI). • Others.

OMIT Introduction

• A Brief Overview – Tools: A common part of our lives.

• Pose hazards. • Serious incidents can occur. • Workers using them face many exposures. • Along with PPE, workers must use the proper tool. • We will discuss safety requirements and hazards

and controls of common tools.

Module Overview

• Stop Needless Injuries – Five basic safety rules:

• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

• Use right tool for job. • Examine each tool for damage before use and do not

use damaged tools. • Operate tools according to manufacturers instructions. • Provide and use properly the right personal protective

equipment.

Precautionary Measures

• Requirements for Safeguards – Safeguards must meet minimum standards:

• Prevent contact with dangerous moving parts. • Be secure:

– Tamper-resistant. – Made of durable material. – Firmly secured to machine.

Precautionary Measures

• Requirements for Safeguards – Safeguards also should:

• Create no new hazards. – Example: edges of guards should be rolled/bolted to

eliminate sharp edges.

• Create no interference. – Not impede worker comfort/productivity.

Precautionary Measures

• Engineering Controls versus PPE – Engineering Controls are first choice.

• Engineering Controls eliminate hazard at source. • PPE last resort. PPE may create hazard, such as

glove caught in rotating parts. • Also beware of loose fitting clothing and jewelry,

which can catch on moving machinery.

Safety Tip: Examples of engineering controls include barriers, screens and guards.

Precautionary Measures

• PPE – PPE must be:

• Hazard-specific. • Maintained in good condition. • Properly stored. • Kept clean.

Precautionary Measures

• Precautions – Never carry a tool by the cord or hose. – Never pull the cord 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/cleaning; and when changing blades, bits, and cutters.

– Keep non-workers away from work area. – Secure work with clamps or a vise.

Precautionary Measures

• Precautions – Keep fingers off switches/buttons. – Maintain tools with care; keep sharp/clean for

best performance. – Follow user manual for lubricating/changing

accessories. – Maintain good balance and footing. – Wear proper apparel for the task. – Remove all damaged portable electric tools from

use and tag them: “Do Not Use”.

Precautionary Measures

• Guards – Exposed, moving parts must be safeguarded

at: • Point of operation. • In-running nip points. • Rotating parts. • Flying chips and sparks. • Never remove guards when a tool is in use.

Safety Tip: Guards are placed on tools for a reason, usually because people have been injured previously without them. Removing a guard will expose you to the hazard that caused those injuries.

Precautionary Measures

• Cutoff Devices • Switches and Controls:

– All hand-held, powered circular saws with blade diameter greater than 2 inches must be equipped with constant pressure switch that will shut off power.

– All hand-held gasoline-powered chain saws must be equipped with constraint pressure throttle control.

Precautionary Measures

• Cutoff Devices • A constant-pressure switch is also required

for : • Hand-held power drills, tappers, fastener drivers,

grinders with wheels, disc sanders (w/discs greater than 2 inches in diameter).

• Belt Sanders, Reciprocating, saber, scroll, and jig saws (w/blade shanks greater than 1/4 inch).

• May have lock-on control if turnoff by single motion.

Precautionary Measures

• Cutoff Switch – A positive on-off control is allowed on.

• Platen sanders. • Grinders with wheels. • Disc sanders (discs 2” diameter of less). • Routers, planers. • Laminate trimmers. • Nibblers, shears. • Saber, Scroll, jig saws (blade snakes 1/4 inch or less).

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tools are powered manually.

– From axes to wrenches. – Greatest hazards result from misuse and improper

maintenance. – Example: Using a chisel as a screwdriver, or

worse, a screwdriver as a chisel. The tip of the screwdriver may break and fly off, hitting the user or other employees. The photo shows correct use of a chisel.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hazards (misuse examples):

– Using a wooden handled tool (i.e. hammer / axe). If handle is loose, splintered, or cracked, head of tool may fly off and strike user or other employees.

– Impact tool (i.e. chisel / wedge) has mushroomed head, head might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments flying toward user or other employees.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Inspect before issuance / use.

– It is important that hand tools be inspected before each use.

– Damaged or improperly maintained hand tools must not be issued or used.

– If found to be damaged or otherwise defective: • Tagged as “Damaged, Do Not Use”, repaired, or • Made unusable and disposed of.

Safety Tip: Most injuries from hand tools result from either using a damaged tool or from using a tool in manner that was not intended, or using the wrong tool for the job.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool basics.

– When using saw blades, knives, or other tools, direct the tools away from your body, from aisle areas and away from other employees working in close proximity.

– Knives and scissors must be sharp; dull tools can cause more hazards than sharp ones.

– Cracked saw blades must be immediately removed from service.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool basics.

– Wrenches must not be used when jaws are sprung to point that slippage occurs.

– Impact tools such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels must be kept free of mushroomed heads.

– Wooden handles of tools must not be splintered.

Safety Tip: Using PPE, especially safety glasses, can prevent serious injury from flying particles off impact tools with mushroomed heads. In fact, even a tool in good condition can create flying particles. Wear that PPE!

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool basics.

– Iron or steel hand tools may produce sparks, an ignition source around flammable substances.

– Where hazard exists, spark resistant tools made of non-ferrous materials should be used where flammable gases, highly volatile liquids, and other explosive substances are stored.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool basics.

– Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches should not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs.

– Also select a hand tool with a handle that does not conduct electricity or heat. Metal hand tools do conduct electricity unless effectively guarded.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool ergonomics.

– A serious consideration. – Hand tool comfortable in your hand. – Not hurt your hand when you hold tight. – Get a non-slip handle with a surface made of

soft materials, like rubber or plastic.

Types of Tools

• Hand Tools • Hand tool ergonomics.

– Use a lot of force? handle should be long enough for your whole hand.

– Wear gloves? may need a thicker handle. Gloves can make it harder to hold onto tool.

– For some tools, handle should have a spring return. Spring return saves wear and tear on finger muscles.

– A bent or adjustable angle on some tools can help keep wrist straight.

Types of Tools

• Electric Tools – Electrical tools must:

• Have three-wire cord with ground. • Be plugged into grounded receptacle, or • Be double insulated; or • Be powered by a low-voltage isolation

transformers. Best Practices 1 Do not use in damp or wet locations unless approved for that purpose. Keep work areas well lit. Ensure that cords do not present a tripping hazard. Employees must be protected by: Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or Assured grounding program.

Best Practices 2 Operate electric tools within their design limitations. Use gloves when they do not cause a hazard; for example, gloves are not to be used when operating a drill as they may get caught in the rotating chuck. Appropriate eye protection and safety footwear are necessary when using electric tools. Store electric tools in a dry place when not in use.

Case Study – Power Tool Electrocution

• Power Tool Case Study • Young worker killed!

– Victim killed by electric shock from electric drill.

– Extension cord had a missing grounding prong. – Faulty wiring energized the drill's frame. – The drill was not double insulated

Case Study – Power Tool Electrocution

• Power Tool Case Study • OSHA issued citations and made several

recommendations. Which of the following was recommended by OSHA? – Use approved ground fault circuit interrupters or an assured

equipment grounding conductor program. – Use equipment that provides a permanent and continuous

path from circuits, equipment, structures, conduit or enclosures to ground.

– Inspect electrical tools and equipment daily and remove damaged or defective equipment from use until it is repaired.

Safety Tip: The ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second.

Case Study – Power Tool Electrocution

• Sources Of Help • OSHA sources.

– OSHA General Industry Standards. – OSHA Construction Standards. – OSHA- consultation services. – OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for

Construction. – Courses in construction safety offered by OSHA

Training Institute. – For more information: visit www.osha.gov

Types of Tools

• Portable Power Tools – Circular saws.

• Must have guards if blade is larger than 2 inches. • Upper/lower guard must cover the saw to the

depth of the teeth. – But lower guard must allow for proper retraction.

• Lower guard must automatically return to covering position.

Types of Tools

• Portable Belt Sanding Machines – Belt sanding machines must:

• Be provided with guards at each nip point. • Guards must prevent hand/finger contact. • Unused or upper run of sander must be guarded.

Types of Tools

• Portable Abrasive Wheels – For safety guards on right angle head/vertical

portable grinders: • Maximum exposure of 180o. • Guard between operator and wheel during use and

adjusted. • Maximum exposure of grinding wheel

periphery/sides may not exceed 180 degrees. • The top half of the wheel must be enclosed at all

times.

Types of Tools

• Portable Abrasive Wheels • Wheel inspection!

– Immediately before mounting grinding wheel onto grinder, all wheels must be closely inspected to make sure not been damaged.

– Spindle speed of machine checked before mounting wheel to make sure it does not exceed maximum operating speed marked on wheel.

Types of Tools

• Angle Grinders • Hand-held portable Angle Grinders:

– Grinders can causer serious injuries if used improperly.

– Purpose of guard is to protect worker if wheel breaks apart during operation.

– Guard must be in place when hard wheel is in use.

Types of Tools

• Specialty Guards • Manufacturers may provide specialty

guards. – Sometimes guard supplied with tool is not

compatible. – Contact manufacturers. – Specialty guards which meet special operation

needs are available. – Guard can be removed when using sanding

disks.

Case Study – Portable Grinder Accident

• An operator was using a portable grinder on a piece of angle iron when cutting disc on portable grinder he was using shattered. Disintegrated fragments of disc penetrated into his body causing serious pelvic and stomach injuries.

• 1. What were the Causative Factors? – 1. It appears from the angle of the disc, pressure exerted by the operator and the disc striking intrusion

brackets, caused the grinding disc to shatter. There was no guard fitting, allowing disintegrated fragments of the disc to fly towards the operator resulting in serious injuries.

• 2. What does OSHA require? – 2. OSHA requires that grinding machines be equipped with safety guards in conformance with the

requirements of American National Standards Institute, B7.1-1970, Safety Code for the Use, Care and Protection of Abrasive Wheels, and applicable OSHA standards.

• 3. What must suppliers provide? – 3. Suppliers must provide portable grinders with guards which protect the operator in the event of a disc

shattering. And the guards should never be removed.

• 4. What must employers do? – 4. Ensure that all guards and protective devices must be maintained in good condition and correctly replaced

when removed. It is also important that other personnel in the area are protected by barriers booths or segregated work areas. The condition of cutting discs should be checked prior to each use and safe storage of discs should also occur to prevent inadvertent damage. And above all, ensure that operators are trained in the hazards and safe work practices.

Pneumatic Tools

• Compressed Air – Powered by compressed air.

• Chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders. • Pneumatic tools must be checked before use. • Hazards include being struck by the tool’s

attachment. • A short wire or positive locking device attaching air

hose to tool must be used. • If air hose is greater than 1/2 inch in diameter, a

safety excess flow valve must be installed.

Pneumatic Tools

• Hazards – Hazards of air hoses include:

• Accidental striking, potential for air hoses to whip. • Tripping hazards of hoses. • Safety clips must be used to prevent attachments

from ejection.

Pneumatic Tools

• Nail Guns, Etc. • Pneumatic tools that shoot:

– Nails, rivets, staples, or similar fasteners. – Operate at pressures more than 100 pounds

per square inch must be equipped with special device to keep fasteners from being ejected, unless muzzle is pressed against work surface.

– Always wear eye protection.

Link: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/NailgunFinal_508_02_optimized.pdf

Pneumatic Tools

• Airless spray guns: – That atomize paints / fluids at pressures of 1,000

pounds or more per square inch must be equipped with automatic or visible manual safety devices that will prevent trigger from being pulled until safety device is manually released.

– Eye protection is required. – Head, hearing and face protection is

recommended.

Pneumatic Tools

• Jack Hammers / Chipping guns – Cause fatigue / strain.

• Use of heavy rubber grips reduces fatigue. • Safety glasses required. • Additional foot protection needed.

Pneumatic Tools

• Noise • Noise hazard associated w / pneumatic

tools. – Hearing protection required. – Remove air hose before changing tools or

repairing.

Safety Tip: If the noise level is high enough that you cannot carry on a normal conversation with someone next to you, you should be wearing hearing protection.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Liquid Fuel Tools • Usually run on gasoline.

– Potential for vapors to burn, explode, or give off dangerous gases.

– Workers must use only designated “flammable liquid” containers.

– Before refilling, user must shut-down engine and allow it to cool to prevent accidental ignition of hazardous vapors.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Liquid Fuel Tools • Use in enclosed areas.

– When tool used inside enclosed area, adequate ventilation and/or proper respirators, and monitoring devices must be utilized to avoid breathing carbon monoxide, other gases and vapors.

– Fire extinguishers must be available in area.

Safety Tip: Be sure your fire extinguisher is properly rated with a “B” designation when using any flammable liquids. For example a 20BC extinguisher is good for flammable liquids and electrical fires.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Chain Saw • Guarding and PPE:

• Be aware that chain is not guarded. • Workers must have appropriate knowledge and

experience BEFORE use. • Using the proper PPE is essential to your safety.

– eye protection. – hardhat with face shield. – cut-resistant chaps and boots. – and hearing protection. – Maintain PPE kit attached to saw in storage area.

Link: http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/chainsaws.pdf Safety Tip: All chain saws must be equipped with an anti-kickback device.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Chain Saw • Use safe technique.

• Using proper technique will reduce risk. • Always hold running saw firmly with both hands. • Right hand at trigger/rear handle. • Left hand at front handle bar. • Turn off when walking. • Read and be familiar with manufacturer’s requirements.

Safety Tip: The ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a fast-acting circuit breaker designed to shut off electric power in the event of a ground-fault within as little as 1/40 of a second.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Gas-Powered Cut-Off Saws • Guidelines (gas powered cut-off saw).

• Can expose workers to hazards. • To reduce silica dust hazard, use wet methods and

wear appropriate PPE.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Powder-Actuated Tools • Training, PPE, use.

– Operator must be trained and certified. – Must wear suitable ear, eye, and face protection. – Proper powder level must be used. – Muzzle end of the tool must have a protective shield or

guard that will not allow the tool to operate unless depressed.

– Must not be able to operate until pressed against work surface with force of at least 5 lbs. greater than weight of tool.

Safety Tip: Suppliers and distributors of powder-actuated tools generally offer on site training and certification for their tools. Use them before you start work.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Powder-Actuated Tools • If tool misfires:

• Hold tool in operating position for at least 30 seconds before re-firing.

• If it fails again, hold for another 30 seconds and then carefully remove load per manufacturers instructions.

• The bad cartridge should then be put in water immediately after removal.

• Tag and remove defective tools from use.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Power-Actuated Tools • Use guidelines:

– Do not use in an explosive or flammable atmosphere. – Inspect the tool before use to ensure:

• Cleanliness. • Moving parts operate freely. • Barrel is free from obstruction. • Proper shields, guards, and attachments are present.

– Do not load the tool unless it is to be used immediately.

– Do not leave unattended.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Powder-Actuated Tools • More guidelines:

– Never point tool at anyone. – Keep hands clear of barrel end. – When applying fasteners:

• Make sure material being fired into can sustain the impact.

• Don’t drive fasteners into very hard or brittle material that might chip/splatter/cause ricochet.

• Use an alignment guide.

Liquid Fuel/Powder-Actuated Tools

• Powder-Actuated Tools – Other guidelines:

• Do not leave a loaded tool unattended. • Do not drive fasteners less than 3 inches from

unsupported edge or corner in brick or concrete. • Do not place fasteners in steel closer than ½ inch

from unsupported corner edge without special guard, fixture or jig.

Case Study –Power Tool Fatality

• Fatal Facts #2 • A 22-year-old carpenter’s apprentice was

killed when he was struck in the head by a nail fired from a powder-actuated nail gun. – The nail gun operator fired the gun while

attempting to anchor a plywood concrete form. – The nail passed through the hollow form and

traveled 27 feet before striking the victim. – The gun operator had never received training. – Employees in the area were not wearing PPE.

Case Study –Power Tool Fatality

• Fatal Facts #48 • In another situation, two workers were

building a wall while remodeling a house. – One of the workers was killed when he was struck

by a nail fired from a powder-actuated nail gun. – The tool operator who fired the nail was

trying to attach a piece of plywood to a wooden stud.

– The nail shot though the plywood and stud, striking the victim.

Case Study –Power Tool Fatality

• Fatal Facts Review • You have reviewed both reports, including the

recommendations. It should come as no surprise that there were common issues in both. What were they? – Both reports recommended the use of PPE when

using powder-actuated tools. Both reports recommended training of employees in the safe operation of the powder-actuated tool.

New Summary

• Employer Responsibilities • The employer must:

– Ensure that tools are inspected before use – Ensure that proper PPE (Personal Protective

Equipment) is used as required – Ensure that guards are in place and in good repair – Ensure that tools are properly stored – And, above all, that employees are trained in the

proper use and safe handling techniques for all tools on the job

Summary

• Summary • This module has covered:

• Hazards associated with hand and portable power tools.

• Hazard control options. • Basic hand and power tool safety procedures and

safe guards. • Hand and portable power tool selection, use,

maintenance, inspection and care. • Employer responsibilities

Summary

• Hand and Portable Power Tools • Five Basic Safety Rules

• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

• Use right tool for job. • Examine each tool for damage before use and do not

use damaged tools. Tag damaged tools “Defective – Do Not Use”.

• Operate tools according to manufacturers instructions. • Provide and use properly the right personal protective

equipment.