08 Sep Dangerous Power Tools in The Workplace

Dangerous Power Tools in the Workplace

Regardless where you work, if employees are operating power tools, safety should be your highest priority. Anyone who is working with power tools first and foremost should get sent through an employee safety training program, like the ones provided by Creation World Safety in Los Angeles, CA. Employee safety training programs will give your staff the knowledge to operate these dangerous tools safely. While any power tool can pose risk, some can be more hazardous than others. Here are some of the most dangerous power tools, all of which should be treated with the utmost respect and caution while in operation.

Radial Arm Saw

While not often seen in many workshops these days because of the inherent danger of pulling a blade spinning at over 100mph toward your body, you can still find radial arm saws in some wood shops. While radial arm saws ar

e capable of performing a wide variety of cuts, it’s best to utilize these just for cross cutting or not at all. In order to safely operate a radial arm saw, you should always wear:

• Hearing protection
• Safety glasses

Chop Saw

Chop saws are a rapid and relatively easy way to cut steel quickly. Similar to a miter saw used in woodworking, chop saws pivot on a single hinge vertically. This mechanism may make it seem like it is fairly safe to use. But make no mistake, chop saws can be very dangerous under the operation of someone without employee safety training. A chop saw’s large and relatively heavy abrasive discs move much faster than an ordinary wood saw and cause a shower of sparks while in operation. Even with proper employee safety training, chop saws can still cause harm if the appropriate protective equipment isn’t worn. That safety equipment should include:

• Ear protection
• Safety glasses
• Face mask
• Gloves
• Leather welding jacket

With this safety gear, and a thorough employee safety training course from Creation World Safety, your employee’s risk of injury will be minimized.

Angle Grinder

Angle grinders work in a similar way to chop saws, but in a smaller form factor. Nevertheless, angle grinders can do as much damage as other tools of greater size. Because angle grinders are handheld, they can arguably cause more damage than nonportable power tools. While using any portable power tool, it is crucial to be aware of your surroundings so you do not accidentally cut into something that could hurt you or hurt someone else. To safely operate an angle grinder you should always wear:

• Gloves
• Face mask
• Safety glasses
• Respirator (depending on the material)

Table Saw 

Table saws are by far one of the most hazardous commonly used woodworking tools. A table saw’s blade sits just above the top of the table surface, allowing your fingers to have very close proximity to the blade. Given that, you can imagine that a lot can go wrong if you are not properly trained to use a table saw. There is also a chance for the wood to kick back and shoot in the opposite direction for seemingly no reason at all. There are a few ways to mitigate kickback, first of which is to take an employee safety training course by Creation World Safety, which would teach you to always to use a push stick to feed wood through the blade. You should also Wear:

• Gloves
• Eye protection

Nail Guns 

These tools are fast, efficient, and dangerous if not used correctly. A nail gun uses compressed air or accelerant to rapidly shoot nails into wood shingles, flooring, and anything else its aimed at. If not careful or properly trained, employees can accidentally miss their intended targets and end up with a nail in their foot or hand. Along with employee safety training courses like the ones provided by Creation World Safety, employees should wear:

• Eye protection
• Steel toed shoes or boots

Contact Creation World Safety Today

Improper training and insufficient personal protective equipment are some of the top reasons for workplace accidents with power tools. These powerful machines make jobs easier and more efficient, but should always be treated with the utmost respect. If your team hasn’t taken a safety course on power tools, contact Creation World Safety and schedule an employee safety training course today!