4.5: Tool safety tips

Workers should use power tools and equipment as designed. Workers using power tools and equipment should follow tool safety tips to avoid misusing equipment.

• Never carry a tool by the cord

• Never yank the cord to disconnect it

• Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges

• Disconnect when not in use and when changing accessories such as blades and bits

• Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.

• Use gloves and appropriate footwear

• Store in dry place when not using

• Don’t use in wet/damp environments

• Keep working areas well lit

• Ensure that cords do not cause a tripping hazard

• Remove damaged tools from use

• Use double-insulated tools.

Hand-held tools manufactured with non-metallic cases are called double-insulated. If approved, they do not require grounding under the National Electrical Code. Although this design method reduces the risk of grounding deficiencies, a shock hazard can still exist. Such tools are often used in areas where there is considerable moisture or wetness. Although the user is insulated from the electrical wiring components, water can still enter the tool's housing. Ordinary water is a conductor of electricity. If water contacts the energized parts inside the housing, it provides a path to the outside, bypassing the double insulation. When a person holding a hand tool under these conditions contacts another conductive surface, then an electric shock occurs.

Common examples of misused equipment

• Using multi-receptacle boxes designed to be mounted by fitting them with a power cord and

placing them on the floor.

• Fabricating extension cords with ROMEX wire.

• Using equipment outdoors that is labeled for use only in dry, indoor locations.

• Attaching ungrounded, two-prong adapter plugs to three-prong cords and tools.

• Using circuit breakers or fuses with the wrong rating for over-current protection, e.g., using a 30-

amp breaker in a system with 15 or 20 amp receptacles. Protection is lost because it will not

trip when the system’s load has been exceeded.

• Using modified cords or tools, i.e., removed ground prongs, face plates, insulation, etc.

• Using cords or tools with worn insulation or exposed wires.

Workers need to know that even when the power system is properly grounded, electrical equipment can instantly change from safe to hazardous because of extreme conditions and rough treatment. Lockout/tagout is an essential safety procedure that protects workers from injury while working on or near electrical circuits and equipment. In addition, lockout/tagout prevents contact with operating equipment parts such as, blades, gears, shafts, etc. Also, lockout/tagout prevents the unexpected release of hazardous gases, fluids, or solid matter in areas where workers are present.

To protect against being electrocuted, workers need to follow lockout/tagout procedures. When performing lockout/tagout on circuits and equipment, the following checklist can be used:

• Identify all sources of electrical energy for the equipment or circuits in question

• Disable backup energy sources such as generators and batteries

• Identify all shut-offs for each energy source

• Notify all personnel that equipment and circuitry must be shut off, locked out, and tagged out (turning a switch off is not enough)

• Shut off energy sources and lock switch gear in the OFF position. Each worker should apply his/her individual lock and keys kept with the worker

• Test equipment and circuitry to ensure they are de-energized. This must be done by a qualified person

• Deplete stored energy (for example, in capacitors) by bleeding, blocking, grounding, etc.

• Apply a lock or tag to alert other workers that an energy source or piece of equipment has been locked or tagged out

• Make sure all workers are safe and accounted for before equipment and circuits are unlocked and turned back on. Only a qualified person may determine when it is safe to re-energize circuits.

Only qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that has not been deenergized. Such persons must be capable of working safely on energized circuits and must be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.

Example: An electrician was removing a metal fish tape from a hole at the base of a metal light pole. (A fish tape is used to pull wire through a conduit run.) The fish tape became energized, electrocuting him.