Hand and Power Tool Safety for Workers

Unsafe tools stay out of use

On construction sites, all hand and power tools must be kept in a safe condition, whether your employer furnished them or you brought your own. In general industry, the employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools employees use, including ones employees furnish. On construction sites, employers must not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools.

Look for these before you use a tool

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.300(a) · 29 CFR 1910.242(a) · 29 CFR 1926.301(a) · 29 CFR 1926.301(b) · 29 CFR 1926.301(c) · 29 CFR 1926.301(d) · 29 CFR 1910.243(a)(4)

Guards stay on

On construction sites, if a power tool is designed to take a guard, it must have that guard on it when in use. A guard that is removed, wired open or broken means the tool is not ready to use.

Portable circular saws

• Guards are required above and below the base plate or shoe. In general industry this applies to saws with a blade diameter greater than 2 inches.
• When you pull the saw out of the cut, the lower guard must automatically and instantly return to cover the blade. If it sticks or is pinned back, do not use the saw.

Belt sanders

In general industry, belt sanders must have guards at each nip point where the belt runs onto a pulley, and the unused run of the sanding belt must be guarded against accidental contact.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.304(d) · 29 CFR 1910.243(a)(1)(i) · 29 CFR 1910.243(a)(3)

Switches: what should happen when you let go

On construction sites, switch rules depend on the tool type.

These switch rules do not apply to concrete vibrators, concrete breakers, powered tampers, jack hammers, rock drills and similar hand operated power tools.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.300(d)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.300(d)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.300(d)(5)

Electric tools

On construction sites (29 CFR 1926.302):

• Electric tools must be either the approved double-insulated type or grounded. Do not use a tool with the ground prong cut off.
• Do not hoist or lower a tool by its electric cord. Use a hand line.
• Fuel-powered tools must be stopped while being refueled, serviced or maintained.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.302(a)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.302(a)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.302(c)(1)

Air tools and compressed air

On construction sites (29 CFR 1926.302(b)):

• Air tools must be secured to the hose or whip by a positive means so they cannot accidentally disconnect.
• Pneumatic impact tools need safety clips or retainers so attachments cannot be shot out.
• Nailers and staplers with automatic feed that run at more than 100 p.s.i. at the tool must have a muzzle safety device, so the tool will not fire unless the muzzle is against the work surface.
• Do not hoist or lower tools by the air hose.
• Hoses exceeding 1/2-inch inside diameter must have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

In general industry, a tool retainer must be installed on each piece of air-powered equipment that could otherwise eject the tool.

Cleaning with compressed air

Compressed air may be used for cleaning only when reduced to less than 30 p.s.i., and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment. On construction sites, the 30 p.s.i. limit does not apply for concrete form, mill scale and similar cleaning.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(4) · 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(6) · 29 CFR 1910.242(b) · 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(7) · 29 CFR 1910.243(b)(1)

Before and during grinding

These rules come from the construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.303. General industry has matching ring-test, spindle-fit and one-eighth-inch work rest rules in 29 CFR 1910.215.

Mounting a wheel

• Closely inspect and ring-test all abrasive wheels before mounting, to make sure it is free of cracks or defects.
• The wheel must fit freely on the spindle. Do not force it on. Tighten the spindle nut only enough to hold the wheel.

Bench and floor grinders

• The work rest must be kept no more than one-eighth inch from the wheel.
• Clamp the work rest securely after each adjustment, and do not adjust it while the wheel is moving.

Your eyes

Everyone using abrasive wheels must wear eye protection, except when adequate protection comes from eye shields permanently attached to the bench or floor stand.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(8) · 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.303(e) · 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(9) · 29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.215(d)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.215(d)(2)

Check the bench grinder

303).

Wheel guard

Bench and floor stand wheels used for external grinding must have safety guards (protection hoods). No hood, no grinding.

Work rest gap

Keep the work rest no more than one-eighth inch from the wheel, so the work cannot jam between the wheel and the rest.

Adjusting the rest

Clamp it securely after each adjustment. Do not adjust it with the wheel in motion.

Eye shield

Wear eye protection unless an adequate eye shield is permanently attached to the bench or floor stand.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.303(e) · 29 CFR 1926.303(c)(9)

Trained operators only

A powder-actuated tool drives a fastener using a powder load. On construction sites (29 CFR 1926.302(e)), only employees trained on the particular tool in use may operate one. If you have not been trained on that tool, do not pick it up.

Rules for the trained operator

• Test the tool each day before loading to see that the safety devices work, using the manufacturer's recommended testing procedure.
• A tool not in proper working order, or that develops a defect during use, is removed from service immediately until properly repaired.
• Load it only just before you intend to fire. Do not point a loaded or empty tool at anyone. Keep hands clear of the open barrel end.
• Do not leave a loaded tool unattended.
• Do not drive fasteners into very hard or brittle materials, for example cast iron, glazed tile, surface-hardened steel, glass block, live rock, face brick or hollow tile.
• Do not use the tool in an explosive or flammable atmosphere.

Reference: 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(1) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(2) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(3) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(5) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(6) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(7) · 29 CFR 1926.302(e)(10)