In this article, we will be considering “Power Tools Safety“. With so many power tools on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are safe to use and which ones you should avoid using at all costs. If you don’t properly use your power tools, they can be downright dangerous to operate—especially when they are used without proper safety precautions. To help you get started with your power tools, here are 8 safety tips that you need to know before operating them.
What Are Power Tools:
Wikipedia defines power tools as –
A tool that is actuated by an additional power source and mechanism other than the solely manual labor used with hand tools. The most common types of power tools use electric motors. Internal combustion engines and compressed air are also commonly used. Other power sources include steam engines, direct burning of fuels and propellants, such as in powder-actuated tools, or even natural power sources such as wind or moving water. Tools directly driven by animal power are not generally considered power tools.
Power tools are used in industry, in construction, in the garden, for housework tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and around the house for purposes of driving (fasteners), drilling, cutting, shaping, sanding, grinding, routing, polishing, painting, heating and more.
Power tools are classified as either stationary or portable, whereas portable means hand-held. Portable power tools have obvious advantages in mobility. Stationary power tools, however, often have advantages in speed and precision. A typical table saw, for instance, not only cuts faster than a regular hand saw, but the cuts are smoother, straighter, and more square than what is normally achievable with a hand-held power saw. Some stationary power tools can produce objects that cannot be made in any other way. Lathes, for example, produce truly round objects.
READ: 4 Types Of Electrical Injuries
Power Tools Safety Tips
Here are “55 Power Tools Safety Tips” you can’t afford to ignore:
- 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 using them, before servicing and cleaning them, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits, and cutters.
- Verify that all parts of the tool are fastened securely before each use.
- Never point a compressed air gun at yourself or another person.
- When you are finished using an air gun, make sure the pressure is released before you break the hose connections. Never store an air gun that is loaded.
- Use a safety clip or retainer to prevent attachments from being ejected during operation, and use a chip guard when using high-pressure compressed air for cleaning. Be sure to limit the nozzle pressure to 30 pounds per square inch.
- Always wear eye protection.
- Ensure a secure work environment by using screens to protect nearby workers from flying fragments.
- Never leave tools unattended.
- Keep all people not involved with the work at a safe distance from the work area.
- Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.
- Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold your fingers on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
- Maintain tools with care; keep them sharp and clean for best performance.
- Follow instructions in the user’s manual for lubricating and changing accessories.
- Use tools that are double-insulated or have a three-pointed power cord and are plugged into a power source with a rounded receptacle.
- Do not use electric tools in wet conditions unless they are approved for that use.
- Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an assured grounding program. Use the appropriate PPI like face protection or leather work gloves.
- Keep your work area dry and clean to avoid slipping while working with or around dangerous electric power tools.
- Be sure to find good footing, maintain balance, and secure your work with clamps or a vise to free both of your hands for the safe use of power tools.
- Wear proper apparel for the task. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can become caught in moving parts.
- Remove all damaged portable electric tools from use and tag them: “Do Not Use.”
- Buy quality tools. Hammers with wooden handles are not as safe as those made of steel hand tools. Make sure steel tools are heat-treated.
- Regularly inspect tools to ensure they are in good condition and work properly.
- Stay safe by wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), like leather gloves, safety goggles, or face shields.
- Be aware of the people around you and ensure they stay a safe distance from your workspace.
- Never climb a ladder with a tool in your hand. Instead, find someone on the ground to hoist tools to you with a bucket or bag on a rope.
- Don’t carry pointed tools in your pocket. Carry them in a toolbox or cart instead.
- Use the right tool for the job. For example, don’t use a wrench to pound in a nail when you should be using a hammer.
- If you find something wrong with a tool, don’t use it, and report the problem to your manager.
- Perform regular maintenance on your tools, like grinding or sharpening saw blades.
- Keep extra tools handy in case the tool you had planned to use is damaged.
- Make sure to store your tools in a safe place, keeping sharp edges from children and others who may get hurt trying to use the tools.
- When working up high, do not leave tools where they could fall on workers below.
- All portable power tools shall be equipped with a spring-loaded switch (dead man switch) which will actuate only when pressed. The switch shall be free from any locking.
- The user shall always disconnect the tool from the power source before maintenance & attaching accessories. Put the guard back in place before reuse.
- The user shall secure the tool in elevated places so that it will not fall.
- Avoid excessive force to make cutting tools cut faster. Feed material only as fast as the tool is designed to accept to prevent excessive wear and decreased control.
- Cords(double rubber insulated type) and hoses should be laid safely to avoid damage and tripping hazards.
- Braided extension cables shall be used for all power tools to reduce the possibility of damage due to site conditions which could lead to electrocution.
- Follow good housekeeping practices – keep the work area free of clutter and debris that could be tripping or slipping.
- Do not walk on or allow vehicles or other moving equipment to pass over unprotected power cords. Cords should be put in conduits or protected by placing planks on each side of the cord.
- Connections shall not be taken over water-logged
- Do not surprise or touch anyone who is operating a tool. Startling a tool operator could end up causing an accident.
- Only use accessories recommended by the manufacturers. Read the tool manufacturer’s manual to understand the tool’s proper applications, limitations, and operation.
- Use the right tool for the job. Ensure it is the right size and has sufficient power to do the job safely.
- Select low-vibrating tools as far as possible. Choose tools with vibration-absorbing handles, like those covered with cork, rubber, plastic, or plastic bonded to steel, to reduce hand-arm vibration syndrome.
- Choose hand tools that have the center of gravity within or close to the handle.
- Select tools with rounded and smooth handles that can be gripped easily.
- If they are available, choose hand tools with double handles to permit easier holding and better manipulation of the tool.
- Hold the tool close to the body.
- Keep a good balance and proper footing at all times. This will help operators to control the tool better, especially in response to unexpected situations.
- Rest the hands by putting the tool down when not using
- Reduce power to the lowest setting that can complete the job safely.
These Power Tools Safety Tips are for both portable and stationary power tools, it also cover power tools with electricity as its source of power and other sources.
READ: 13 Extremely Important Electrical Hazard Control Measures
You need to have an understanding of these safety precautions before using the power tools to ensure your safety and that of others when working with these tools. This is why this article on Power Tool Safety is very important.
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