Hand Tool Safety Tips
Everyone uses hand tools on occasion, whether it be at work or at home. Those who use them incorrectly, however, may be injured. Fortunately, there are ways to diminish the risk of injury; using the correct tool for the job is one of them.
Know the Tools
Knowing what each tool is meant to do is crucial. Using a hand tool for something it was not designed for often causes injury. For example, using a flat-tip screwdriver to unscrew a Phillips head screw can easily cause the tool to slip off the head of the screw and cause injury.
Damaged Tools
Hand tools will get damaged through normal operation, so users should inspect them regularly to ensure that they are safe. For instance, with a Phillips screwdriver, depending on its quality, the points will wear or break off over time. The same is true with all hand tools, such as blades on circular saws that will periodically need sharpening or replacement. Other hand tools will need to have parts replaced after routine use.
Checking Blades
Before sharp tools such as saws or cutting blades are used, it is crucial to ensure that they are sharp and not chipped. This should be done visually as well as by scraping against material, not by testing the edge with the fingers. If a blade needs to be sharpened and the worker does not know how to properly perform this task, it is best to bring the blade to a professional for sharpening.
Carry Tools Properly
Individuals should always carry tools properly. Sharp tools should never be placed in the person's pocket. The sharp side of the hand tool should always be pointed away from the body when being carried.
Protective Equipment
Safety equipment should always be worn when using hand tools. This includes gloves, safety glasses or a face shield. When in doubt, it is always better to use protective equipment than not to.
Clean Hand Tools
Hand tools should be cleaned before and after each use. Dirty tools will not work correctly and can easily slip. On bladed hand tools it is best to put a light coat of oil on the blade after each use, to prevent the edge from rusting. Storing hand tools properly is also important. Whether hung in a garage out of the way or in a toolbox, the goal is to keep the tool from being accidentally damaged.
Know the Tools
Knowing what each tool is meant to do is crucial. Using a hand tool for something it was not designed for often causes injury. For example, using a flat-tip screwdriver to unscrew a Phillips head screw can easily cause the tool to slip off the head of the screw and cause injury.
Damaged Tools
Hand tools will get damaged through normal operation, so users should inspect them regularly to ensure that they are safe. For instance, with a Phillips screwdriver, depending on its quality, the points will wear or break off over time. The same is true with all hand tools, such as blades on circular saws that will periodically need sharpening or replacement. Other hand tools will need to have parts replaced after routine use.
Checking Blades
Before sharp tools such as saws or cutting blades are used, it is crucial to ensure that they are sharp and not chipped. This should be done visually as well as by scraping against material, not by testing the edge with the fingers. If a blade needs to be sharpened and the worker does not know how to properly perform this task, it is best to bring the blade to a professional for sharpening.
Carry Tools Properly
Individuals should always carry tools properly. Sharp tools should never be placed in the person's pocket. The sharp side of the hand tool should always be pointed away from the body when being carried.
Protective Equipment
Safety equipment should always be worn when using hand tools. This includes gloves, safety glasses or a face shield. When in doubt, it is always better to use protective equipment than not to.
Clean Hand Tools
Hand tools should be cleaned before and after each use. Dirty tools will not work correctly and can easily slip. On bladed hand tools it is best to put a light coat of oil on the blade after each use, to prevent the edge from rusting. Storing hand tools properly is also important. Whether hung in a garage out of the way or in a toolbox, the goal is to keep the tool from being accidentally damaged.
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