14 Apr Handling Hand Tools

Hand tools, generally, are not as intimidating as power tools, which utilize dangerous moving and rotating parts. Because of this, many people do not take hand tool safety as seriously. But this should not be so.

When it comes to handling hand tools, it is just as important to practice proper safety precautions. If you don’t, you are putting yourself and others at risk.

What Qualifies as a Hand Tool?

Hand tools are any type of tool powered manually. Some examples of the most commonly used hand tools are:

• Hammers
• Chisels
• Screwdrivers
• Axes
• Rakes
• Garden Forks
• Secateurs
• And Pliers

How do Hand Tools Pose Risk?

While power tools pose a threat because of their moving and rotating parts, the greatest hazards involved with hand tools are misuse and improper tool maintenance. Here are some examples:

• If a wooden handle on an axe or hammer is cracked or splintered, the head of the tool can fly off and potentially strike the user or someone else.
• Wrenches with sprung jaws might cause the wrench to slip and injure you.
• If a chisel is used to perform a function outside of its intended use (for instance, acting as a makeshift screwdriver), the tip of the chisel could break off and hit someone.

Basics of Safety

Before getting into specifics, there are some general good rules to follow to ensure maximum safety when utilizing a hand tool:

• Wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment such as work gloves and safety goggles.
• Maintain good balance and proper footing when utilizing a hand tool.
• Only use hand tools in well-lit environments.
• Make sure your workspace floors are clean and dry.
• Keep those not involved in the work a safe distance away from hand tools while they are in use.

Specific Safety Guidelines

Here are some examples of important safety guidelines to follow when using specific hand tools:

• When using knives or saws, direct the sharp edges away from other employees working near you and away from aisles where people might walk by.
• Since iron or steel tools have the potential to create sparks (which can ignite), when working around volatile liquids, explosive substances, flammable gasses, etc., only utilize hand tools made of non-ferrous (spark-resistant) materials.
• Never use hand tools with cracked saw blades.
• Do not use wrenches with overly sprung jaws.
• Keep your impact tools (like wedges, drift pins, and chisels) free of mushroom heads.
• Never use hand tools with dull blades (for example knives and even scissors). Dull tools can be a greater hazard than sharp ones.
• Don’t use hand tools with wooden handles that are splintered.

Ensuring Employee Safety

Employers are responsible for the safety of their employees. That involves making sure that employees know how to safely operate the tools of their trade, like (in some industries) hand tools.

In order to make sure your employees are best protected, schedule an employee safety training course with Creation World Safety. Our employee safety training methods are the best in the business and will help minimize risk to your workers. Contact us today to learn more and get started!