Tips for Hand and Power Tool Safety

General safety tips for hand and power tools:

• Buy quality tools. Many tools, including cutters and hammers, should be made of steel and should be heat-treated.
• Regularly inspect tools to make sure they are in good shape and fit for use.
• Be sure to maintain your tools by performing regular maintenance, like grinding or sharpening. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Dress for the job by avoiding loose clothing or articles that can get caught in a tool’s moving parts, like jewelry.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, like leather gloves.
• Use the right tool for the job. In other words, don’t try to use a wrench as a hammer.
• Make sure that your feet are planted on a stable surface.
• Be aware of the people around you and make sure they stay clear of the tools you are using.
• Never carry tools up a ladder by hand. Instead, use a bucket or bag to hoist tools from the ground to the worker.
• When working at heights, never leave tools lying out in the areas where they could present a hazard to workers below.
• When appropriate, secure work with a clamp or vise to keep it from slipping.
• Never carry pointed tools in your pocket. Carry them in a toolbox or cart instead.
• Inspect your tools on a regular basis, checking for damage. Report damaged tools to your supervisor.
• Make sure to keep extra tools handy in case the tool you had planned to use is damaged.
• Make sure tools are stored in a safe place.

Safety tips for electric power tools:

• Keep floors dry and clean to avoid slipping while working with or around dangerous tools.
• Keep cords from presenting a tripping hazard.
• Never carry a power tool by its cord.
• Use tools that are double-insulated or have a three-pronged cord and are plugged into a grounded receptacle.  
• Do not use electric tools in wet conditions unless they are approved for that use.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an assured grounding program.
• Use appropriate PPE.

• Verify that all parts of the tool are fastened securely before use.
• Never point a compressed air gun at yourself or another person.
• When you are finished using the tool, make sure that the pressure is released before you break the hose connections.
• Use a safety clip or retainer to prevent attachments from being ejected during operation, and use a chip guard when using high-pressure compressed air for cleaning. Be sure to limit the nozzle pressure to 30 pounds per square inch.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Use screens to protect nearby workers from flying fragments.
• Never leave your tool unattended.
• Never store a loaded air gun.