7: Hand and Power Tools
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- 7.2: Power-Operated Hand Tools
- Powder-actuated tools require certification of use through training. Workers are required to be trained in the safe use of all tools but powder-actuated tools pose a unique danger in that they operated using the mechanism of a fire arm and can be purchased without restrictions.
"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." – Jeff Cooper
Overview
In Chapter 0 Valuing Work we explored the history of work highlighting how work was done throughout history, some of the tools, equipment and materials used. Tools and equipment allow us to increase our efficiency and output. They help us protect our limbs and even vital organs. However tools and equipment used incorrectly, can quickly become a hazard and reverse any efficiency gained from their use.
Most of us have used hand tools of some sort; a pair of scissors, a box cutter, a screwdriver. It is important to note however that any physical device that we operate or handle in the course of performing a task can be considered a tool or piece of equipment requiring special consideration for safe use. In this chapter we will discuss the standards for hand and power tool safety but also address how we extend the substance of these standards to equipment in general.
Chapter Objective:
- Recognize the hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools.
- Determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when using hand and power tools.
- Understand the machine guarding methods used to protect employees from the hazards associated with the use of machinery.
- Identify OSHA requirements for proper and improper use of hand and power tools.
Learning Outcome:
- Correctly apply the hierarchy of controls to standards for tool and equipment safety.
- Identify which tier of the hierarchy of controls machine guards represent.
Standards: 1926 Subpart I-Hand and Power Tools, 1910 Subpart O-Machinery and Machine Guarding, 1926 Subpart K Electrical
Key Terms:
Guards, hydraulic, machines, pneumatic, powder actuated
Mini-Lecture: Tool and Equipment Safety
Topic Required Time: 2 hrs; Independent Study and reflection 1 3/4 hour.
Thumbnail: Hand Tools, attribution, Pixabay