13 Mar Power Tool Safety

Power Tool Safety

Power tools make many jobs faster and easier, but they can cause serious injuries when they are improperly used, damaged, or poorly maintained. Common hazards include cuts, amputations, electrical shock, flying particles, burns, noise, vibration, and entanglement.

Only employees who have been properly trained and authorized should operate power tools. Always use the correct tool for the job and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Before Using a Power Tool

Inspect the tool and work area before each use.

• Check the tool, cord, plug, battery, hose, and accessories for damage.
• Make sure guards, handles, and other safety devices are installed and functioning properly.
• Verify that switches and controls operate correctly.
• Use blades, bits, wheels, and other accessories that are designed and rated for the tool.
• Keep cutting edges sharp and clean.
• Remove chuck keys, adjustment keys, and other tools before starting the equipment.
• Make sure the work area is clean, adequately lighted, and free of unnecessary personnel.
• Secure the workpiece with clamps, a vise, or another suitable method when necessary.
• Remove damaged or defective tools from service and clearly identify them so they are not used.

Never remove, bypass, disable, or defeat a tool’s guard or safety device.

Electrical Safety

Electric power tools can expose workers to shock, electrocution, burns, and fire.

• Use tools that are properly grounded or double-insulated.
• Never remove the grounding prong from a plug.
• Use required ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection.
• Inspect cords and plugs for cuts, fraying, exposed conductors, damaged insulation, and missing grounding prongs.
• Keep electrical connections away from water and wet conditions.
• Do not carry or lift a tool by its electrical cord.
• Disconnect tools by grasping the plug—not by pulling on the cord.
• Protect cords from sharp edges, heat, oil, traffic, and other sources of damage.
• Route cords to prevent trip hazards and equipment damage.
• Disconnect the power source before changing blades, bits, accessories, or making adjustments when required.

Do not use damaged electrical equipment until it has been properly repaired.

Safe Operating Practices

While using a power tool:

• Use the correct tool and accessory for the task.
• Maintain a stable stance and good balance.
• Keep hands and fingers away from blades, bits, wheels, and other moving parts.
• Allow the tool to reach operating speed before contacting the workpiece when appropriate.
• Do not force the tool or use excessive pressure.
• Never carry a tool with your finger on the operating control.
• Do not leave an operating tool unattended.
• Wait for moving components to stop completely before setting the tool down.
• Do not touch blades, bits, or other components until they have stopped and cooled.
• Never use a tool for a purpose for which it was not designed.
• Stay alert and maintain control of the tool throughout the operation.

Do not operate power tools when your ability to work safely is impaired by fatigue, medication, alcohol, drugs, or other conditions.

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment

Wear PPE appropriate for the tool and hazards involved. Depending on the task, this may include:

• Safety glasses with side protection.
• Goggles for splash or fine-particle hazards.
• Face shields used in addition to required primary eye protection.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection when required by the exposure assessment and Respiratory Protection Program.
• Safety footwear.
• Hard hats where overhead hazards exist.
• Task-appropriate gloves when they do not create an entanglement hazard.

Secure long hair and avoid loose clothing, jewelry, lanyards, or other items that could become caught in moving equipment.

Gloves should not be worn around rotating equipment when they could become caught and pull the hand into the tool.

Flying Particles, Dust, and Debris

Grinding, cutting, drilling, sanding, and similar operations can generate high-speed particles and hazardous dust.

• Keep guards and shields properly positioned.
• Direct sparks and debris away from yourself and other employees.
• Use appropriate dust collection, local exhaust ventilation, or wet methods when required.
• Protect nearby employees from flying debris and sparks.
• Use respiratory protection when required after appropriate hazard evaluation.

When working with concrete, masonry, stone, or other silica-containing materials, follow the company’s silica exposure-control requirements.

Pneumatic and Other Powered Tools

Power tools may also be operated by compressed air, hydraulic pressure, fuel, or other energy sources.

• Inspect hoses, fittings, and connections before use.
• Secure hose connections as required.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended operating pressure.
• Never point compressed-air-powered tools toward yourself or another employee.
• Shut off and relieve pressure before disconnecting hoses or servicing equipment.
• Follow applicable requirements for fuel-powered equipment, including ventilation and fire prevention.

Maintenance and Adjustments

Before servicing, cleaning, clearing a jam, or performing maintenance:

• Shut the tool off.
• Disconnect it from its energy source.
• Allow moving parts to stop completely.
• Release or control stored energy.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures when servicing activities meet the requirements of the company’s energy-control program.

Only qualified or authorized personnel should perform repairs.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is an important part of power-tool safety.

• Keep floors and work surfaces free of debris.
• Route cords and hoses away from walkways whenever possible.
• Remove scrap and waste regularly.
• Maintain adequate lighting.
• Keep flammable materials away from sparks and hot work.
• Store tools and accessories properly when they are not in use.

Remember

Power tools are designed to make work easier—not to eliminate the need for safe work practices. Inspect the tool before use, keep guards in place, use the correct accessories, protect yourself with appropriate PPE, and disconnect the energy source before making adjustments or repairs.

Never sacrifice safety to save a few minutes.