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TOOL SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 Tools are part of every construction job and hand tools are needed for almost any task. However, hand tools, when used improperly or not kept in good condition, can also result in very serious injuries. Workers should be sure that they take good care of their hand tools and avoid common injuries such as: Severe cuts that could require stitches Scrapes and bruises that can end up as skin infections Eye injuries from chipping or chiseling Electrical shocks from using improperly insulated tools for electrical work (*1) Injuries with tools often take place when workers fail to use them as intended or forget to inspect them before using. Workers should be trained and reminded to follow safe work practices every time they use their tools. OSHA OSHA Standard Standard 1926.301(a) 1926.301(a) says says that that employers employers shall shall not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools. not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools.

Weeklysafety.com, LLC (*2) 1 TOOL SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 Hand tools have to be inspected before use. Look for any damage such cracks in handles, sharp edges, or splintering. Make sure that tools are not covered in paint, grease, or dirt that can create a hazard or hide a serious defect. Using a damaged tool can be dangerous to you and your co-workers! (*3) OSHA OSHA Standard Standard 1926.301(d) 1926.301(d) The The wooden wooden handles handles of of tools tools shall shall be kept free of splinters or cracks and shall be kept tight in be kept free of splinters or cracks and shall be kept tight in the the tool.

tool. Weeklysafety.com, LLC Both of these tools have cracked handles and show signs of job-made repairs that make them a hazard. (*4,5) 2 TOOL SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 Never used rusted, cracked, or warped tools! Wrenches that are warped, rusted, or sprung can result in breaking or slippage that lead to serious hand injuries. Spades, shovels, and other long handled tools should not be used unless in good working condition. (*6) OSHA OSHA Standard Standard 1926.301(b) 1926.301(b) Wrenches, Wrenches, including including adjustable, adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches shall not be used when pipe, end, and socket wrenches shall not be used when jaws jaws are are sprung sprung to

to the the point point that that slippage slippage occurs. occurs. (*7) (*8) Weeklysafety.com, LLC 3 TOOL SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 Always use the proper attachments, handles, and grips provided by the manufacturer! Use the right tools for the job o Screwdrivers are not a chisels! o Channellocks are not fuse pullers! o Wrenches are not hammers! Never use impact tools that have mushroomed heads. They can chip and send pieces flying off as projectiles. Chisel head showing mushrooming. (*10) OSHA OSHA Standard Standard 1926.301(c) 1926.301(c) Impact Impact tools, tools, such such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels,

shall be as drift pins, wedges, and chisels, shall be kept kept free of mushroomed heads. free of mushroomed heads. (*9) Weeklysafety.com, LLC 4 TOOL SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 Remember the following tips to avoid potentially serious injuries when working with hand tools: Workers should be sure that they take good care of their hand tools. Inspect tools for any damage before use. Handles of tools should be kept free of splinters or cracks and be kept tight in the tool. Never used rusted, cracked, or warped tools! Wrenches that are warped, rusted, or sprung can result in breaking or slippage. (*11) Use the right tools for the job. Never use impact tools that have mushroomed heads. Remember to use the right personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, goggles, or faceshields. Weeklysafety.com, LLC 5 TOOL

SAFETY || Hand Tools Volume 1 Issue 33 COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER This material is the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC. Purchase of this material from Weeklysafety.com, LLC grants the owner the right to use this material for workplace safety and education purposes only. Use of this material for any other purpose, particularly commercial use, is prohibited. This material, including the photos, may not be resold. Weeklysafety.com, LLC does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in these materials. Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety requirements. These materials are meant for informational purposes only and it is not the intent of Weeklysafety.com, LLC to provide compliance-based training. The intent is more to address hazard awareness in the construction and related industries, and to recognize the potential hazards present in many workplaces. These materials are intended to discuss Federal Regulations only, as individual State requirements may be more stringent. Many states operate their own state OSHA and may have standards that are different from information presented in this training. It is the responsibility of the employer and its employees to comply with all pertinent OSHA safety rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work. PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Unless specified below, all photos are the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC and may not be used in any other training materials or resold for any purpose. (*1) Photo Credit Hernan Vargas. wrench rust. https://www.flickr.com/photos/hvargas/2114683166/ (*2) Photo Credit Ruth Hartnup. Tree fort sliding injury. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/11138874126/ (*3) Photo Credit Dwayne. broken hammer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/twostoutmonks/184338724/ (*4,5) Photo Credit Matias Romero. Enxadao e Chibanca. https://www.flickr.com/photos/matiasromero/2987294166/ (*6) Photo Credit s.benno. Broken Tool. https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/577382652/ (*7) Photo Credit Nina Hale. with the hammer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/377916126/ (*8) Photo Credit Chris Penny. a busted spade. https://www.flickr.com/photos/clearlydived/5439922524/ (*9) Photo Credit James Case. Buck Knives Hammer. https://www.flickr.com/photos/capcase/5075278861/ (*10) Photo Credit Hand and Power Tools Presentation. OSHA.gov. Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0 For more information on this weekly safety topic, other topics that are available and the full list of FAQs please visit www.weeklysafety.com or email [email protected] Weeklysafety.com, LLC 6