Table of Contents

• Introduction
  
• General Requirements
  
• Specific Recommendations for Safe Use of Hand Tools
  
• Appendix 1: Checklist

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Introduction

Frequent and severe injuries caused by the abuse and neglect of hand and powered tools dictate that control and maintenance of tools be made a part of the University safety program. The correct tool must be selected for each job. Examples of unsafe practices include striking together hardened faces of hand tools; using a file or a screwdriver for a pry; using a wrench for a hammer; and using pliers instead of the proper wrench.

Tools should be kept in good condition. Examples of unsafe tools include wrenches with cracked or worn jaws, screwdrivers with broken points or split or broken handles, hammers with loose heads, broken or split handles, mushroomed heads on chisels, and dull saws.

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General Requirements

Good Condition of Tools

Supervisors are required to ensure that all tools used by the employees, including tools and equipment furnished by the employees, are in a safe condition.

Safety Procedures and Tool Inspection

Procedures for the care, inspection, and safe use of all tools must be established and the supervisor is responsible for implementing a program whereby all employees using tools follow those procedures.

Personal Protective Equipment

Appropriate eye protection must be worn by all workers using hand tools which may generate sparks and/or airborne particles. (See OP-G-1.1.2.3.)

Spark resistant tools made of nonferrous materials should be used in environments that contain high levels of explosive substances.

Housekeeping

Toolboxes, tool racks or shelves, or other such storage devices must be provided and tools not in use must be safely stored in them.

Metal slivers, wood slivers, sawdust, moisture and grime should be removed from tools before they are stored. Never remove these particles with bare hands.

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Specific Recommendations for Safe Use of Hand Tools

Impact Tools (chisels, punches, hammers)

Hammer-struck and striking tools should be made of forged, hardened steel so that they are hard enough to withstand blows without mushrooming excessively, and yet not be so hard that they chip or crack.

Never carry chisels, punches and other sharp tools in clothes pockets. Use carrying pouches that will fasten around the waist.

Chisels should be kept sharp and ground to a 60-degree angle. Mushroom heads should be ground off.

Eye protection must be worn when using chisels and punches (see OP-G-1.1.2.3). A shield or screen should be used to prevent injury to other workmen from flying particles.

Hammers must have securely wedged handles suited to the type of head used. The handle should be smooth, free of oil, shaped to fit the hand, and properly sized for the job.

Carpenter's or claw hammers are designed primarily for driving and drawing nails, and they are unsuitable for striking heavier objects, such as cold chisels. The corners of the claw should not be used as pries because they are susceptible to chipping and breaking.

Wrenches

There is a correct wrench for every nut and bolt. Oversize openings will not grip the corners securely and shims should not be used to compensate for an oversized opening. Using the wrong size wrench can round the corners of the bolt, or cause slippage, as well as make it difficult to then apply the proper size.

Remove caked dirt and grime from inside sockets to allow them to seat fully.

Never overload the capacity of a wrench by using a pipe extension on the handle or strike the handle of a wrench with a hammer.

Adjustable wrenches are generally recommended for light-duty jobs or when the proper size, fixed-opening wrench is not available. Caution must be exercised in using these wrenches, as they are likely to slip because of the difficulty in setting the correct size and the tendency for the jaws to "work" as the wrench is being used.

Prevent serious injuries by being careful not to allow pipe wrenches to slip on overhead pipes or fittings causing loss of balance and falls.

Machine wrenches are often incorrectly used as hammers. As a result, they soon become distorted and unsafe. Always use the proper tool for the job.

Screwdrivers must never be used as punches, wedges, pinch bars or pries. They are easily damaged causing blades to slip off the slots and injure workers' hands.

A screwdriver tip should fit the screw. A sharp square-edged bit will not skip as easily as a dull, rounded one, and it requires less pressure. The tip must be kept clean and sharp to permit a good grip on the head of the screw.

The part being worked should never be held in the hand. It should be laid on a bench or flat surface, or held in a vise.

Screwdrivers having blades or rivets extending through the handle should never be used for electrical work. Both blade and handle should be insulated except the tip.

Bladed Tools (knives, axes, wedges)

Many accidents have been caused by bladed tools (knives, axes, wedges) being used in an unsafe manner. Unsafe practices include: knives carried in pockets, or placed in toolboxes or on workbenches; axes used for sledgehammers, or with loose handles; wedges struck with a glancing blow becoming unguided projectiles.

Knives are more frequently the source of disabling injuries than any other hand tool. The principal hazard in the use of knives is the hand slipping from the handle onto the blade. The following safety procedures should be followed:

• The cutting stroke should be away from the body. If that is not possible, then the hands and body should be in the clear;
• Workmen who must carry knives with them on the job should keep knives in sheaths or holders. Never carry a sheathed knife on the front part of a belt. Always carry it over the right or left hip, toward the back. This will prevent severing a leg artery or vein in case of a fall;
• Never attempt to catch a knife when it falls. Let it drop to the ground, and then pick it up by the handle.

To use an axe safely, workers must be taught to lift it properly, to swing correctly, and to place the stroke accurately. The proper grip for a right-handed person is to have the left hand about 3 inches from the end of the handle, and the right hand 3/4 of the way up on the handle. A left-handed person should reverse the position of the hands.

An axman must make sure that he has a clear circle in which to swing the axe before he starts chopping. Also, he should remove all vines, brush, and shrubbery within the range. Overhead vines that may catch or deflect the axe must be removed. It is also advisable to wear safety shoes and protective eyewear when using an axe.

The use of wedges should be discouraged whenever possible (i.e., when splitting wood). The use of a maul is more effective and less dangerous. When wedges are struck with a hammer, the head of the hammer may be released from the shaft and travel some distance, possibly striking someone and causing injury. Safety shoes and protective eyewear should be worn if a wedge must be used.

Pliers and Nippers

Pliers are often considered a general-purpose tool and are often used for purposes for which they were not designed. Pliers are meant for gripping and cutting operations. They are not recommended as a substitute for wrenches because their jaws are flexible and frequently slip and do not hold the work securely.

The handle of electricians' pliers should be insulated. In addition, users should wear electricians' gloves.

Nippers sometimes cause injuries when they are used to cut short ends of wire. The following safety precautions should be followed:

• Use only insulated nippers when working with electrical equipment;
• Special cutters for heavy wire, reinforcing wire, and bolts should be used in lieu of makeshift tools (claw hammers, pry bars);
• Appropriate eye protection should be worn when using nippers to prevent injury from flying short ends of wire. (See OP-G-1.1.2.3.)

Vises

Vises are used for holding material while it is being worked. Material can be securely clamped in the jaws of a vise and held while the work is performed.

The handle used to tighten the jaws of the vise should not be struck with a hammer to gain additional holding strength. Tighten with hands only.

When striking material held in a vise, eye protection must be worn in accordance with OP-G-1.1.2.3.

Saws

Saws should be properly selected for the job. Use a cross cut for cutting across the grain; a ripping saw should be used for cutting with the grain.

Saws must be kept sharp and the teeth kept well set to prevent binding.

Hacksaws should be adjusted in the frame to prevent buckling and breaking, but should not be tight enough to break off the pins that support the blade. Install blades with teeth pointing forward.

Crowbars

When a crowbar is needed, the proper size and kind of bar for the job should be used. Makeshifts, such as a piece of pipe or an iron bar, should never be substituted for a crowbar since they may skip and cause injury.

The crowbar should have a point or toe of such shape that it will grip the object to be moved, and a heel to act as a pivot or fulcrum. In some cases, a block of wood under the heel will prevent the crowbar from slipping and injuring the hand.

Do not leave crowbars lying on shop floors or work areas; they may cause a tripping hazard.

Jacks

The rated load must be legibly and permanently marked on every jack. The operator must use the jack according to manufacturers instructions, never to exceed the rated load.

Jacks must be blocked when positioned on foundations that are not firm. A block must also be placed between the cap and the load where there is a possibility of slippage.

The jack operator must ensure that the stop indicator is clearly visible and that he does not exceed the limit.

After the load has been raised, it must be cribbed, blocked, or otherwise secured.

Jacks must be properly lubricated at regular intervals. Hydraulic jacks that are exposed to freezing temperatures must be supplied with an adequate antifreeze liquid.

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Appendix 1: Checklist

A checklist of questions to survey for hand equipment problems should be tailored to each of your operations. Some of the items may include:

General Requirements	Yes	No
Good Condition of Tools
Does the supervisor regularly check to ensure that all tools are kept in a safe condition?
Safety Procedures and Tool Inspection
Has a procedure for the care, inspection, and safe use of all tools been established and made available to all employees?
Personal Protective Equipment
Is appropriate eye protection available and its use required when hand tools may produce sparks or airborne particles?
Are spark resistant tools of nonferrous available for work in environments which may contain high levels of explosive substances?
Housekeeping
Is there adequate storage room provided and is it required that tools not in use be safely stored?
Is it required that employees remove slivers, sawdust, moisture and grime from all tools prior to their being stored?
Specific Recommendations for Safe Use of Hand Tools	Yes	No
Impact Tools (chisels, punches, hammers)
Are hammer-struck and striking tools made of forged, hardened steel to withstand blows, yet not so hard they chip or crack?
Are carrying pouches available so that chisels, punches or other sharp tools can be safely carried around the waist?
Are tools and equipment (both University and employee-owned) in good condition?
Have mushroomed heads on chisels, punches, etc., been reconditioned or replaced if necessary?
Are chisels kept sharp and ground off to a 60-degree angle?
Do hammers have securely wedged handles? Are the handles smooth, clean, and fitted to the job?
Is it required that claw hammers be used only for driving or drawing nails and never for other purposes?
Have broken hammer handles been replaced?
Wrenches
Is an assortment of wrenches available to ensure that the correct size is available for every job?
Are employees required to remove dirt and grime from wrench sockets?
Have employees been cautioned to never use pipe extensions to extend the capacity of a wrench or to never strike a wrench handle with a hammer?
Are employees carefully trained on the use of adjustable wrenches to avoid their slipping if the "jaws" should slip?
Are employees warned of the dangers of pipe wrenches slipping on overhead pipes, leading to serious falling injuries?
Is it forbidden to use machine wrenches as hammers, thus leading to their becoming distorted and unsafe?
Is it prohibited to use screwdrivers for other than their intended purpose?
Are employees required to keep screwdriver tips clean and sharp?
Are vises available to hold work?
Are employees aware of the dangers of holding an object on which s/he is working?
Are screwdrivers with blades or rivets extended through the handles prohibited for electrical work?
Have worn or bent wrenches been replaced?
Bladed Tools (Knives, Axes, Wedges)
Are employees alert to the following dangers:
Knives carried in pockets?
Knives placed upright in toolboxes or on workbenches?
Using axes for sledge hammers?
Using axes with loose handles?
Are employees who use knives aware that most accidents with knives could have been avoided by:
Cutting away from the body?
Keeping the hands and body clear from the blade?
Keeping the knife in a sheath or holder, carried over the right or left hip, toward the back?
Never attempting to catch a falling knife?
Are employees who work with axes trained in proper, safe grip method?
Prior to beginning work with the axe, do employees clear the area to give him/her a clear circle in which to swing the axe?
Is the use of wedges discouraged?
Is a maul available and its use required to avoid having to use wedges?
Are safety shoes and protective eyewear available and their use required if a wedge must be used?
Pliers and Nippers
Is the use of pliers for other than their intended purpose prohibited?
Are the handles of electricians' pliers insulated? Are electricians' gloves provided and their use required?
Are the following safe practices required when employees use nippers:
The use of only insulated nippers when working with electrical equipment?
Are special cutters supplied for heavy wire, and the use of claw hammers and pry bars prohibited for cutting wire or bolts?
Is appropriate eye protection provided and its use required to prevent injury from flying short ends of wire?
Vises
Are appropriate and sufficient vices provided to hold material while it is being worked?
Are employees prohibited from holding material in the bare hand while working it?
Is it forbidden to strike the jaws of a vise by striking with a hammer? Is tightening allowed with the hands only?
Is eye protection provided and its use required in accordance with OP-G-1.1.2.3?
Saws
Are employees trained on which saw to use for specific jobs?
Are saws kept sharp and the teeth kept well set to prevent binding?
Have hacksaws been adjusted in the frame to prevent buckling and breaking? Are they not so tight that there is danger breaking off? Are blades installed with the teeth pointing forward?
Crowbars
Are there sufficient crowbars available to ensure that the proper size and kind is available for any job which may be performed?
Is the use of makeshift crowbars prohibited?
Do all crowbars have a point or toe shaped to grip the object to be moved, and a heel to act as pivot or fulcrum?
Is it required that crowbars be returned to storage after use, to preclude their becoming a tripping hazard?
Jacks
Is the rated load legible and permanently marked on every jack?
Are all operators prohibited from exceeding the rated load?
Are blocks available when the jack must be used on foundations that are not firm?
Do all jack operators ensure that the stop indicator is clearly visible and do they know they should never exceed the load?
Is material available to cribb, block, or otherwise secure the load after it has been raised?
Are jacks kept properly lubricated?
Are hydraulic jacks that may be exposed to freezing weather supplied with adequate antifreeze liquid?

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