Hand and power tools may be the backbone of many jobsites, but they can also lead to serious injuries when used incorrectly or when they fail to comply with safety standards. In this guide, we’ll see how OSHA’s safety guidelines for tool use and procedures can keep the jobsite orderly, efficient, and safe for workers.
Hazards of Hand & Power Tools
OSHA’s Hand and Power Tools publication highlights how different kinds of tools pose unique hazards to workers. From aches and strain caused by unergonomic working procedures to life-threatening injuries caused by electrical mishaps or exposure to moving mechanical parts, here’s an outline of major hazards:
Hand tools present immediate hazards and longer-term ergonomic ones. For instance, using iron or metal tools can create sparks, which could be an ignition source for flammable materials nearby. Using tools for unintended purposes is also dangerous — for instance, using a screwdriver as a chisel could break the tool and send fragments flying. The repetitive use of tools also poses ergonomic hazards like musculoskeletal injuries over time. Compliance with OSHA’s ergonomics standard can mitigate these risks.
Power tools pose additional threats regarding electricity. For instance, mishandling power tools such as by yanking cords to unplug them, carrying tools by their cord, or removing the ground pin on a plug to fit it into an ungrounded outlet increases the likelihood of electric shock or burns. Proper training, regular inspections, and proper maintenance are essential to ensure power tool use meets OSHA’s electrical standards.
Tools with exposed moving parts, such as abrasive wheel tools for grinding and cutting, are also hazardous if used without guards, as mandated by the power tool guarding standard. Guards prevent workers from coming into contact with moving components, but also prevent flying debris — or in the case of abrasive wheel tools, protect workers from exploding blades or wheels.
Tools with vibrating parts, such as jackhammers, can cause health issues like carpal tunnel syndrome and vascular disorders. For instance, to protect workers from vibration exposure, the use of jackhammers requires heavy rubber gloves to reduce vibration fatigue alongside safety glasses and rubber boots to maintain control of the tool and protect from debris.
Inspections, Maintenance, & Storage
To ensure tools are always compliant with safety standards, regular inspections must be conducted. OSHA recommends using a safety checklist for each tool to identify cracks, wear, missing ground pins, frayed wires, or other damage that might compromise safety, minimizing the risk of worker injury.
Maintaining the integrity of tools and keeping an orderly workspace also means developing and implementing a storage system. This will keep electrical tools in safe and dry locations to prevent water damage, store cords in tidy coils to avoid tripping hazards and unnecessary wear, and allow for easy organization and retrieval of hand tools and other types of equipment.
To maintain these systems and worker safety while handling tools, training is essential. OSHA highlights the importance of training employees about the hazards various tools pose, identifying defects through inspections, finding and following manufacturer operating instructions, and complying with safety and storage protocols.
