Hand and Portable Power Hand and Portable Power ToolsTools

These handouts and documents with attachments are not final, complete, or definitive instruments. This These handouts and documents with attachments are not final, complete, or definitive instruments. This information is for guidance purposes only. You should independently verify and satisfy yourself as to its information is for guidance purposes only. You should independently verify and satisfy yourself as to its

accuracy. The AHBSIF does not assume any liability for damages arising from the use of this information or accuracy. The AHBSIF does not assume any liability for damages arising from the use of this information or exhibits and attachments thereto and renders no opinion that any of the terms, conditions, and/or cited exhibits and attachments thereto and renders no opinion that any of the terms, conditions, and/or cited

federal standards in this document and the exhibits and attachments should be explicitly followed by the federal standards in this document and the exhibits and attachments should be explicitly followed by the fund member. Seek specific guidance from the appropriate regulator (OSHA) or professional advisor.fund member. Seek specific guidance from the appropriate regulator (OSHA) or professional advisor.

Tool SelectionTool Selection Non-PoweredNon-Powered ElectricElectric Air PoweredAir Powered Powder ActuatedPowder Actuated Gas PoweredGas Powered

Safety Note: If you have to modify Safety Note: If you have to modify a tool to make it work, you a tool to make it work, you probably don’t have the right probably don’t have the right one!one!

Non-Powered Hand ToolsNon-Powered Hand Tools

Impact tools such as Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if drift pins are unsafe if they have they have mushroomed heads.mushroomed heads.

Wrenches with sprung Wrenches with sprung jaws should be taken jaws should be taken out of service.out of service.

Wooden handled tools Wooden handled tools should be inspected should be inspected periodically to make periodically to make sure they are not sure they are not splintered, cracked, or splintered, cracked, or loose.loose.

Electric ToolsElectric Tools

Electric tools are difficult Electric tools are difficult to guard completelyto guard completely

They are subject to more They are subject to more abuse than stationary abuse than stationary toolstools

Cords must be inspected Cords must be inspected regularlyregularly

These tools should be These tools should be unplugged/battery unplugged/battery removed for all removed for all maintenance maintenance procedures. procedures.

Double Insulated ToolsDouble Insulated Tools

NFPA 70 permits NFPA 70 permits double insulation for double insulation for portable toolsportable tools

Third wire grounding Third wire grounding is not necessary for is not necessary for double-insulated toolsdouble-insulated tools

Double insulation Double insulation works by isolating the works by isolating the tool’s internal electric tool’s internal electric components from the components from the outer housingouter housing

Circular Saw Safety TipsCircular Saw Safety Tips

Set the blade’s depth to Set the blade’s depth to no more than no more than 1/81/8” to ¼” ” to ¼” greater than the greater than the thickness of the materialthickness of the material

Avoid binding the blade Avoid binding the blade and causing a “kickback”and causing a “kickback”

Release the trigger if the Release the trigger if the saw binds or stallssaw binds or stalls

Never pull the saw out of Never pull the saw out of a cut until the blade a cut until the blade stopsstops

Pneumatic Tools Pneumatic Tools (Nail Guns)(Nail Guns)

Make sure the nose guard Make sure the nose guard safety spring is functioning safety spring is functioning properlyproperly

Don’t hook up the power Don’t hook up the power source until it is time to nailsource until it is time to nail

If the tool has to be carried If the tool has to be carried while under power, stay away while under power, stay away from the trigger and never from the trigger and never carry against the bodycarry against the body

Safety glasses are a must!Safety glasses are a must! For Framers;For Framers;

Keep the off hand out of the Keep the off hand out of the wayway

Never nail beyond your reachNever nail beyond your reach Keep the gun properly aligned Keep the gun properly aligned

with the workwith the work Be aware of surroundings and Be aware of surroundings and

fellow workersfellow workers

Powder-Actuated ToolsPowder-Actuated Tools Only employees who Only employees who

have been trained and have been trained and certified in the operation certified in the operation of the particular tool shall of the particular tool shall be allowed to operate be allowed to operate

Must be tested each day Must be tested each day prior to useprior to use

If it doesn’t pass If it doesn’t pass inspection, it must be inspection, it must be removed from serviceremoved from service

All required PPE must be All required PPE must be wornworn

Unfired caps should not Unfired caps should not be left in the gun or lying be left in the gun or lying aroundaround

The loaded tool should The loaded tool should never be left unattendednever be left unattended

Gas Powered ToolsGas Powered Tools

Types include leaf blowers, Types include leaf blowers, trimmers, mowers, and trimmers, mowers, and chainsaws.chainsaws.

Follow manufacturers Follow manufacturers recommendations for recommendations for service intervals and safe service intervals and safe use.use.

Take special care during Take special care during refueling.refueling. Give the equipment Give the equipment

adequate cool down time.adequate cool down time. Use only approved Use only approved

containers for fuel storage.containers for fuel storage. Never smoke during Never smoke during

refueling.refueling.

Safe Work Practices Safe Work Practices ChecklistChecklist

Always follow manufacturer Always follow manufacturer recommendations regarding recommendations regarding maintenance and safe use.maintenance and safe use.

Inspect all tools prior to the Inspect all tools prior to the start of work;start of work; Guards in place and workingGuards in place and working All power cords in safe All power cords in safe

working conditionworking condition Timely replacement of blades, Timely replacement of blades,

bits, etc.bits, etc. Never bypass a safety feature.Never bypass a safety feature. Never modify a tool beyond its Never modify a tool beyond its

intended use.intended use. Use all required personal Use all required personal

protective equipment .protective equipment .

HousekeepingHousekeeping Debris should be gathered Debris should be gathered

and removed from site and removed from site daily, weekly, as often as daily, weekly, as often as needed.needed.

Plan for disposal of scrap, Plan for disposal of scrap, waste and surplus waste and surplus materials. materials.

Keep the work area and all Keep the work area and all equipment tidy. equipment tidy.

Designate areas for waste Designate areas for waste materials and provide materials and provide containers. containers.

Keep stairways, Keep stairways, passageways, ladders, passageways, ladders, scaffold and gangways free scaffold and gangways free of material, supplies and of material, supplies and obstructions. obstructions.

HousekeepingHousekeeping

Secure loose or light Secure loose or light material that is stored on material that is stored on roofs or on open floors. roofs or on open floors.

Keep materials at least 5 Keep materials at least 5 feet from openings, roof feet from openings, roof edges, excavations or edges, excavations or trenches. trenches.

Remove or bend over nails Remove or bend over nails protruding from lumber. protruding from lumber.

Keep hoses, power cords, Keep hoses, power cords, welding leads, etc. from welding leads, etc. from laying in high traffic areas. laying in high traffic areas.

Ensure structural openings Ensure structural openings are covered/protected are covered/protected adequately (e.g. sumps, adequately (e.g. sumps, shafts, floor openings, etc.) shafts, floor openings, etc.)

HousekeepingHousekeeping

Do not permit rubbish Do not permit rubbish to fall freely from any to fall freely from any level of the project. level of the project.

Use chutes or other Use chutes or other approved devices to approved devices to remove materials. remove materials.

Do not throw tools or Do not throw tools or other materials. other materials.

Do not raise or lower Do not raise or lower any tool or equipment any tool or equipment by its own cable or by its own cable or supply hose. supply hose.