Hand and Power Tools requirements
By Mike Rich- Safety Services Company
Published: July 27, 2011
Summary
Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to remember they pose hazards. All tools are manufactured with safety in mind but, tragically, a serious accident often occurs before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards.
As an employer you are responsible for the maintenance of your company's tools, instruction on how to use tools, providing the proper personal protection equipment and ensuring this equipment is properly utilized.
If you do not have this policy in place you could face fines from OSHA, suffer lost productivity and endure a possible lawsuit.
To help protect your business we have developed a tool safety training program that addresses the tools in your industry.
This thorough training package is like no other in the industry. It is designed to keep your company compliant and your employees safe.
Read on for more information on the hazards of tools, cost of injury, effectiveness of training and your requirements.
If you have questions at any point please call us at 877-804-8786.
As an employer you are responsible for the maintenance of your company's tools, instruction on how to use tools, providing the proper personal protection equipment and ensuring this equipment is properly utilized.
If you do not have this policy in place you could face fines from OSHA, suffer lost productivity and endure a possible lawsuit.
To help protect your business we have developed a tool safety training program that addresses the tools in your industry.
This thorough training package is like no other in the industry. It is designed to keep your company compliant and your employees safe.
Read on for more information on the hazards of tools, cost of injury, effectiveness of training and your requirements.
If you have questions at any point please call us at 877-804-8786.
Related
- Spilling the Truth on Bloodborne Pathogen Training(July 26, 2011)
- Fall Protection and Requirements (July 25, 2011)
- Aerial Lift Hazards and Training Requirements (July 25, 2011)
Hazards of Hand and Power Tools
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 400,000 people suffer power tool injuries each year. Of those injured, more than 200 die.
It is without a doubt that the improper use of power tools or not using the proper personal protection equipment with these tools can cause injury or death.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• One out of every 10 construction industry employees is injured annually.
• 1,000 construction workers are killed every year on-site.
• A typical construction injury results in more than 30 days of missed work.
• Construction workers, under the age of 35, have a higher incidence of injury.
• Injuries to the back and ribs are the most common.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, more than 400,000 people suffer power tool injuries each year. Of those injured, more than 200 die.
It is without a doubt that the improper use of power tools or not using the proper personal protection equipment with these tools can cause injury or death.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• One out of every 10 construction industry employees is injured annually.
• 1,000 construction workers are killed every year on-site.
• A typical construction injury results in more than 30 days of missed work.
• Construction workers, under the age of 35, have a higher incidence of injury.
• Injuries to the back and ribs are the most common.
Tool Hazards
Hand tools are tools that are powered manually. Hand tools include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.
Some examples include the following:
• If a chisel is used as a screwdriver, the tip of the chisel may break and fly off, hitting the user or other employees.
• If a wooden handle on a tool, such as a hammer or an axe, is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or other employees.
• If the jaws of a wrench are sprung, the wrench might slip.
Electric tools are hand tools that are powered with electricity. They include saws, drills and more.
Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart failure and burns, are among the major hazards associated with electric powered tools. Under certain conditions, even a small amount of electric current can result in fibrillation of the heart and death. An electric shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface and be injured due to the fall.
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
There are several dangers associated with the use of pneumatic tools. First and foremost is the danger of getting hit by one of the tool's attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using with the tool.
Fuel-powered tools are usually operated with gasoline. The most serious hazard associated with the use of fuel-powered tools comes from fuel vapors that can burn or explode and also give off dangerous exhaust fumes.
Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and must be treated with extreme caution. Hazards of these tools include flying materials, the extreme pressure the tools give off and more.
Hydraulic Power tools use a liquid to drive their motion. These tools present similar dangers as electric powered tools.
While physical harm is an unfortunate circumstance of unsafe tool behavior, it is not the only problem.
An annual study conducted by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety in 2010, revealed that the direct cost to employers from injuries in 2008 was $53.42 billion. [1]
Furthermore the study concluded that accidents at the workplace were estimated to cost employers an additional $80 to $200 billion annually.
A second report by the U.S. Department of Labor cemented the finding of the insurance groups report. This report stated the average workplace injury cost an employer $43,000. The same study estimated the cost from wage replacement due to injury to be roughly $50 billion a year.
"An accident at the workplace can often be the difference between operating in the black and falling into the red," said Safety Services CEO Devon Dickenson.
Some examples include the following:
• If a chisel is used as a screwdriver, the tip of the chisel may break and fly off, hitting the user or other employees.
• If a wooden handle on a tool, such as a hammer or an axe, is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off and strike the user or other employees.
• If the jaws of a wrench are sprung, the wrench might slip.
Electric tools are hand tools that are powered with electricity. They include saws, drills and more.
Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart failure and burns, are among the major hazards associated with electric powered tools. Under certain conditions, even a small amount of electric current can result in fibrillation of the heart and death. An electric shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface and be injured due to the fall.
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
There are several dangers associated with the use of pneumatic tools. First and foremost is the danger of getting hit by one of the tool's attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using with the tool.
Fuel-powered tools are usually operated with gasoline. The most serious hazard associated with the use of fuel-powered tools comes from fuel vapors that can burn or explode and also give off dangerous exhaust fumes.
Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and must be treated with extreme caution. Hazards of these tools include flying materials, the extreme pressure the tools give off and more.
Hydraulic Power tools use a liquid to drive their motion. These tools present similar dangers as electric powered tools.
While physical harm is an unfortunate circumstance of unsafe tool behavior, it is not the only problem.
An annual study conducted by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety in 2010, revealed that the direct cost to employers from injuries in 2008 was $53.42 billion. [1]
Furthermore the study concluded that accidents at the workplace were estimated to cost employers an additional $80 to $200 billion annually.
A second report by the U.S. Department of Labor cemented the finding of the insurance groups report. This report stated the average workplace injury cost an employer $43,000. The same study estimated the cost from wage replacement due to injury to be roughly $50 billion a year.
"An accident at the workplace can often be the difference between operating in the black and falling into the red," said Safety Services CEO Devon Dickenson.
OSHA Safety Requirements
Although OSHA does not have specific regulations for each hand and power tool, the group has stated through regulation, 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2) you must train all employees on the hazards of the workplace.
In addition to maintenance and training you must ensure employees have the appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., and are correctly using that equipment.
Other safety measures OSHA recommends include floors be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools and where flammable material exist, spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide for safety.
While OSHA does not have a specific regulation for power tools, the organization does require you have in place the assured equipment grounding conductor program to protect your employees from electrical shock when using power tools.
This program should outline your specific procedures for the required equipment inspections, tests, and test schedule.
You may provide additional tests or procedures. The required tests must be recorded, and the record maintained until replaced by a more current record. The written program description and the recorded tests must be made available, at the jobsite, to OSHA and to any affected employee upon request. You are required to designate one or more competent persons to implement the program.
"...have the appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., and are correctly using that equipment."
In addition to maintenance and training you must ensure employees have the appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., and are correctly using that equipment.
Other safety measures OSHA recommends include floors be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools and where flammable material exist, spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide for safety.
While OSHA does not have a specific regulation for power tools, the organization does require you have in place the assured equipment grounding conductor program to protect your employees from electrical shock when using power tools.
This program should outline your specific procedures for the required equipment inspections, tests, and test schedule.
You may provide additional tests or procedures. The required tests must be recorded, and the record maintained until replaced by a more current record. The written program description and the recorded tests must be made available, at the jobsite, to OSHA and to any affected employee upon request. You are required to designate one or more competent persons to implement the program.
"...have the appropriate personal protective equipment, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., and are correctly using that equipment."
ENDORSED BY:
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
"Heart of America Chapter"
“In an industry that lags response to both activity and urgency, Safety Services is the exception. Their timely distribution of training materials were initially tracked with scrutiny for several months, before realizing that the team there had me well taken care of from the very beginning.”
- Robert Kellog
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
"Heart of America Chapter"
"Heart of America Chapter"
LOVED BY:
Our 140,000+ Other Loyal Clients!
“We received our safety manual today. I am so very impressed with you and your company. This was the easiest transaction for a manual that I have ever been involved with. We had our safety inspection this a.m. and we passed with flying colors - thanks to you!”
- Val Dobbin
Wiltech Developements
