SAFETY TOOLBOX TALK (8/3/20)
Hand Tool Safety
Why does the use of hand tools require safety procedures?
- Each year, hand tools are responsible for about 7% to 8% of all injuries.
- These injuries often involve severe disabilities.
What injuries result from improper hand tool use?
- Loss of eyes/vision resulting from use of striking tools without eye protection.
- Puncture wounds from using a screwdriver with a loose handle which causes the hand to slip.
- Severed fingers, tendons, and arteries caused by a dull knife that requires so much force that hands may slip down the blade.
- Broken bones due to use of the wrong hammer for the job and smashing a finger.
- Contusions resulting from using a small wrench for a big job; bruising a knuckle.
- Infections produced by ignoring a cut in the skin made by a dirty chisel.
4 basic rules of hand tool safety
- Select the right tool for the job.
- Keep tools in good condition & don’t use damaged tools.
- Use tools properly.
- Keep tools in a safe place.
General safety procedures for use and handling of tools
(demonstrate if possible)
- Metal-cutting tools (chisels, hacksaws, files, cutters, etc.): Never strike files against metal vises or other objects.
- Wood-cutting tools (wood chisels, saws, hatchets, etc.): Never use axes or hatchets on metal, stone, or concrete.
- Miscellaneous cutting tools (planes, scrapers, bits, knives, etc.): Never carry a scraper around in your pocket.
- Torsion tools (wrenches, tongs, screwdrivers, etc.): Never hold small work in your hand when using a screwdriver.
- Shock tools (hammers, etc.): Never use a hammer with a chipped face.
- Keep tools in good working order with regular maintenance and repair.
- Remove from service immediately if damaged.
- Never carry tools while climbing (e.g., should be properly secured).
- Chisels, screwdrivers and pointed tools should never be stuck into pockets.
- When handing tools to another worker, always offer the handle of the tool.
