Industrial Safety and Health for Goods and Materials Services - Chapter 15

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Khi chúng ta nghĩ về dụng cụ cầm tay, chúng ta thường nghĩ rằng búa, tua vít, kìm, nhưng một bàn chải đánh răng, một cái muỗng, một cây bút, kéo dụng cụ cầm tay. Họ là những ví dụ của các công cụ được sử dụng để tập trung lực lượng và giúp đỡ để thực hiện một loạt các nhiệm vụ. Đối với hầu hết chúng ta, dụng cụ cầm tay các công cụ nonpowered và bao gồm đục, handsaws, wrenches, xẻng, và dao. Nhiều vết thương có thể kết quả khi sử dụng dụng cụ cầm tay...

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Nội dung Text: Industrial Safety and Health for Goods and Materials Services - Chapter 15

15 Hand Tools A variety of hand tools are necessary for day-to-day general maintenance. When we think about hand tools, we normally think of hammers, screwdrivers, or pliers, but a toothbrush, a spoon, a pen, scissors are also hand tools. They are examples of tools that are used to concentrate force and help to carry out a variety of tasks. For most of us, hand tools are nonpowered tools and include chisels, handsaws, wrenches, shovels, and knives. Many injuries can result when using hand tools including cuts, lacerations, eye injuries, overuse (ergonomic related injuries), and at times slips, trips, and falls. In most instances these injuries occur due to the incorrect use, use of the wrong tool, or improper maintenance of tools. Approxi- mately 8% of all industrial accidents are caused by hand tools. The Mine Health and Safety Administration found that one out of every four accidents was due to hand tools. Some examples of hand tool accidents are as follows: . Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break off and ﬂy, hitting the user or other employees. . If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or ax is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may ﬂy off and strike the user or another worker. . A wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip. . Impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if they have mushroomed heads that might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments ﬂying (Figure 15.1). ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Poor condition Dressed Spread Mushroomed FIGURE 15.1 From safe to unsafe chisels. (Courtesy of the Department of Energy.) The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, even personal tools if being used in the workplace. The employer should not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools. Damages or broken hand tools should be removed from service and a tag placed on them saying, ‘‘Do Not Use’’ or ‘‘Removed from Service’’ if the tools are not thrown away. Employers should assure that employees are trained in the proper use and handling of hand tools and other equipment. Employees, when using saw blades, knives, or other tools, should direct tools away from aisle areas and away from other employees working in close proximity. Knives and scissors must be sharp; dull tools can cause more hazards than sharp ones. Cracked saw blades must be removed from service. Wrenches must not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs (Figure 15.2). Impact tools such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels must be kept free from mushroomed heads. The wooden handle of tools must not be splintered. Iron or steel hand tools may produce sparks that can be an ignition source around ﬂammable substances. Where this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made of nonferrous materials should be used where ﬂammable gases, highly volatile liquids, and other explosive substances are stored or used. Tight fitting wrenches Teeth on jaws wom on bolts FIGURE 15.2 Wrenches from good to worn. (Courtesy of the Department of Energy.) ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety eyewear and gloves must be worn to protect against hazards that may be encountered while using hand tools. Workplace ﬂoors are to be kept clean and as dry as possible to prevent slips with or around dangerous hand tools. 15.1 PREVENTING HAND TOOL ACCIDENTS To prevent hand tool accidents certain safe work practices should be followed. Before using hand tools select the correct tool for the job. Do not use tools for jobs they are not intended for. Provide workers with training and information about safer work practices and the correct methods, posture, and use of tools. Other work practices that should be addressed are as follows: . Always use tools in such a way that a slip or miss does not result in an injury, e.g., when using sharp tools for cutting always cut away from the body or hand. . Keep the work area free of clutter and waste. . Ensure the work area has adequate lighting. . Tools, equipment, and materials should not be thrown or dropped from one employee to another or from one level to another. Hand them, handle ﬁrst, directly to other workers or use a hand line. . Ensure workers are wearing appropriate protective clothing and PPE such as goggles, safety shoes, and gloves. 15.1.1 HAND TOOL KEY POINTS Wear approved PPE such as safety shields, respirators, safety toed shoes, high-top shoes, hard hats, bump caps, leather gloves, leather aprons, coverall, and safety eyewear with side shields of industrial quality that conform to the ANSI Z87.1 standard. A variety of gloves exist that have different functional use regarding hand tools. Today there are cut resistant gloves made of Kevlar as seen in Figure 15.3, mech- anics gloves with rubber gripping surfaces, mesh gloves that protect from cuts, antivibration or shock absorbing gloves, and the common leather glove that is always a good option if it ﬁts properly since too tight a glove tires the hand and ﬁngers and too loose a glove decreases dexterity. Wearing proper clothing varies depending on the type of hand tools that are being used. Work clothing should not be loose, baggy, or highly ﬂammable. To protect against burns, wear clothing such as coveralls, high-top shoes, leather aprons, and leather gloves. Remove all paper from pockets and wear cuff less pant. When working with heavy metals or items wear hard toed shoes with nonskid soles. Avoid synthetic clothing because they have low ﬂash points which can result in severe burns. Do not wear jewelry especially rings when using hand tools since it may result in rings getting caught or contacting electricity. Jewelry can get caught on moving parts. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
FIGURE 15.3 Cut resistant Kevlar gloves. Protect the hair, scalp, and head by pulling back long hair in a band or a cap to keep it from getting caught in tools. Be extremely careful with long hair when using a rotating tool. When handling carpentry materials wear a hard hat or bump cap to protect the head. Protect the ﬁngers, hands, and arms by wearing leather gloves or cut resistant gloves and forearm shields. When workers are hammering, care must be taken to strike the object not the hand or ﬁngers. Avoid horseplay and loud talking so the mind is not distracted from the task at hand. Pushing, running, and scufﬂing while working with hand tools can result in serious accidents. Be alert and work defensively. As has been said earlier, the greatest accident potential results from misuse and improper maintenance of hand tools. By adhering to the following procedures we can mitigate this problem: . Hold supervisors responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by workers, but workers must also use and maintain tools properly. . Saw blades, knives, or other tools should be directed away from aisle areas and other workers working in close proximity. . Knives and scissors must be kept sharp. Dull tools can result in the use of more force and slippage and are more dangerous than sharp tools. . When working with hand knives, boning knives, drawknives, and scissors, workers should use appropriate PPE such as mesh gloves, wrist guards, arm guards, and aprons or belly guards. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Avoid ﬂammable substances since sparks produced by iron or steel hand . tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where these types of hazards exists use spark-resistant tools made of brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood. Do not overwork a tool’s capabilities. Probably the most common error is to . use a ‘‘cheater’’ to increase leverage of a wrench. . Avoid striking one tool with another. Certain tools are made to strike other speciﬁc tools or materials. Use only the proper striking tools for these jobs. Do not use a wrench to drive a nail or use one hammer to strike another. . Use the right tools and use them correctly. Even the best made tool will botch a job when used incorrectly. Striking a nail with a hammer cheek instead of its face can cause a nailing problem or accident. Handling a chisel incorrectly such as pushing a chisel with one hand while the other holds the work in front of the cutting edge can cause severe injury. The solution is to clamp in a vise so both hands are free to handle the tool. . Improper maintenance. A worn tip on a screwdriver can result in a gashed hand. Similarly, a loose or damaged handle can turn a hammer into a deadly ﬂying object. 15.1.2 STORING HAND TOOLS All tools not in use should be stored where they are not a hazard. Sharp edges or pointed tools should have the edge or point guarded at all times when not in use. Shovels and rakes should have the sharp or pointed edges toward the ground. 15.1.3 OLD HAND TOOLS Old tools may be unsafe if they lack up-to-date safety features. Instead of buy- ing new good quality hand tools, many workers ﬁll their toolboxes with hand-me- down or cheap (poorly made) tools from discount stores. Although second-hand tools may be cheaper, they can be quite unsafe. Any tool with makeshift repairs should be removed from service and discarded so no one is tempted to use it and be injured. Any damaged or outdated tool should be removed from service and afﬁxed with a tag that says, ‘‘Remove from Service. Do Not Use’’ or discarded as waste so it cannot be used again. 15.1.4 ERGONOMICS HAND TOOLS AND The use of hand tools places a great deal of stress on bones, tendon, ligaments, nerves, and soft tissue. Often the use of hand tools can lead to what are called overuse or repetitive injuries. Some of the ways to prevent these injuries are by . Alternating repetitive and nonrepetitive activities . Varying or rotating job task . Taking frequent, short breaks ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
. Doing gentle exercises during rest breaks . Arranging work materials or equipment to avoid overreaching or twisting . Ensuring that hand tools are well-balanced with a comfortable grip and need no more than reasonable force to operate . Reviewing workloads to ensure they are realistic and within physical and psychological capabilities . Performing jobs that need precise movements slightly above elbow level . Performing jobs that need a lot of muscle strength slightly below elbow level 15.1.5 ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED HAND TOOLS Hand tools become a problem when workers have to use forceful muscular exertions due to having to hold or guide a tool using a very ﬁrm grip, having the wrist bent while using the tool, having a tool that is too heavy, or wearing gloves that are too large. Tools that cause heavy loading of the shoulder while holding the tool, especially when the arm is out from the body, are a problem. Wherever there is a possibility of repetitive movement, there is the potential for stress. At times contact stress occurs due to tools pressing into the palm at the base of the thumb where blood vessels and nerves pass through the hand. If the grip is too wide this can cause a tendon injury known as ‘‘trigger ﬁnger.’’ Tools that transfer shock to the hands and wrist can also be culprits. Efforts should be made to mitigate these types of problems with hand tools. There are some speciﬁc areas that need to be addressed in designing hand tools. The ﬁrst is weight and size: . Tool weight should be kept to less than 4 lb when used in one hand. For heavier tools sufﬁcient space should be provided to grasp the tool with . two hands. . Grasping surfaces should be slip-resistant. . Whenever possible, the edges and corners of tools should be rounded. The handles on tools should ﬁt the human hand as best as possible. Some of the general guidelines are as follows: . For a power grip, larger handles are better. . The thickness of a handle should be between 1 and 2.5 in. . Hand strength is reduced by up to 30% when wearing gloves. If the diameter of a handle is too large, the ﬁngers do not overlap, there is no . ‘‘locking,’’ and strain is sharply increased. If the diameter is too small, there is an insufﬁcient friction area and the hand cuts into the hand. . T-handles should be about 1 in. thick. The length of handles is important since poor handle design can be detrimental to the hands. Some recommendations are as follows: ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
. The handle should be long enough so that they do not end in the palm of the hand especially pliers (Figure 15.4). . Without gloves, handles should be 4 in. long at a minimum. . With gloves, handles should be a minimum of 5 in. in length. The surfaces and material that compose handles need careful consideration. All handles should be made from nonconductive materials. Thus, they should not conduct heat or electricity. Wood handle is often best for two reasons. Wood releases heat to the hand more slowly than plastic or metal and so it can be of help for a longer period of time before causing an injury. Wood gains heat more slowly than plastic, so it is less likely to reach high temperatures. Handle should be compressible. Just as a compressible ﬂoor is easier on the feet and legs than noncompressible concrete, a compressible handle is easier on the hand. Wood is the best material. Compressible rubber or plastic is acceptable. Rubber- dipped coatings help make the handle more compressible, less conductive, and cover sharp edges that could damage the hand. Textured surfaces add grip as seen in Figure 15.5. Hand serration (ﬁnger grips) cut into the ﬁngers since they were only designed to ﬁt the hand that they were modeled from. Hand tool posture is an important consideration when ergonomically designing tools. Bending the tool is superior to bending the wrist. Tendon movement while the wrist is not bent is less injurious. The most comfortable position is the ‘‘handshake’’ position. Another alternative to changing the tool angle is to change the orientation of the work itself. Using the appropriate muscle group is less strain and stress. FIGURE 15.4 The end of the screwdriver’s handle does not end in the palm. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
FIGURE 15.5 The pliers’ handles are textured and nonconductive. Hand-closing muscles are stronger than hand-opening muscles. Use a spring to open hand tools. 15.2 HAND TOOL SPECIFIC SAFETY 15.2.1 ADJUSTABLE WRENCHES Adjustable wrenches are torsion tools and are used for many purposes. They are not intended, however, to take the place of the standard open-ended, box, or socket wrenches. They are used mainly for nuts and bolts that do not ﬁt a standard wrench. Pressure is applied to the ﬁxed jaw. 15.2.2 AXES When using an ax, make sure there is a clear circle in which to swing the ax before starting to chop. Remove all vines, brush, and shrubbery, especially overhead vines that may catch or deﬂect the ax. Ax blades must be protected with a sheath or metal guard whenever possible. When the blade cannot be guarded, it is safer to carry the ax at one’s side. The blade of a single-edged ax must be pointed down. The cutting edges are designed for cutting wood and equally soft metal. Never strike against metals, stone, or concrete. Some other important precautions to take with axes are as follows: . Never use an ax as a wedge or maul, never strike with the sides, and never use it if the handle is loose or damaged. . Proper ax grip for a right-handed person is to have the left hand about 3 in. from the end of the handle and the right hand about three-fourth of the way up. Reverse hands for left-handed individuals. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
. Sharp, well-honed axes and hatchets are much safer to use because glancing is minimized. . Safety glasses with side shields and safety shoes must be worn. 15.2.3 BOX SOCKET WRENCHES AND Box and socket wrenches are used where a heavy pull is necessary and safety is a consideration. Box and socket wrenches completely encircle the nut, bolt, or ﬁtting and grip all corners as opposed to two corners gripped by an open-ended wrench. They will not slip off laterally, and they eliminate the dangers of sprung jaws. These types of torsion tools are very versatile. This is especially true of socket wrenches having great ﬂexibility in hard-to-reach places. The use of special types must be encouraged where there is danger of injury. Avoid overloading the capacity of a wrench by using a pipe extension (cheater) on the handle or striking the handle of a wrench with a hammer. Hammering on wrenches weakens the metal of a wrench and causes the tool to break. Special heavy- duty wrenches are available with handles as long as needed. Where possible, use penetrating oil to ﬁrst loosen tight nuts. 15.2.4 CARPENTER’S CLAW HAMMER OR This is a shock tool commonly in use and subject to a great deal of wear. The face of the hammer must be kept well dressed at all times to reduce the hazard of ﬂying nails while they are being started into a piece of wood. A checkered face head is sometimes used to reduce this hazard. Eye protection must be worn when nailing and using a hammer to do work that could cause ﬂying debris or material. Never use a common claw=nail hammer to strike other metal objects. 15.2.5 CHISELS Choose a chisel only large enough for the job so that the blade is used, rather than the point or corner. Never use chisels with dull blades. Also, a hammer heavy enough to do the job should be used. The sharper the tool the better it will perform. Chisels that are bent, cracked, or chipped shall be discarded, Re-dress cutting edges or structure to original contour as needed. When chipping or shearing with a cold chisel, the tool is to be at an angle that permits one level of the cutting edge to be ﬂat against the shearing plane. Cold chisels should be selected based upon the materials to be cut, the size and shape of the tool, and the depth of the cut to be made. The chisel should be made heavy enough so that it will not buckle or spring when struck. Always wear safety goggles or a face shield when using a chisel. Do not use chisels for prying. 15.2.6 CROWBARS Crowbars are types of prying tools and come in different sizes. Use the proper size for the job. Never use a makeshift device such as a piece of pipe, since they may slip and cause injury. Crowbars must have a point or toe capable of gripping the object ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
FIGURE 15.6 A typical crowbar. to be moved and a heel to act as a pivot or fulcrum point. A block of wood under the heel may prevent slippage and help reduce injuries (Figure 15.6). 15.2.7 CUTTERS Cutters used on wire, reinforcing rods, or bolts should be sharp enough to cut the material. If this is not the case, the jaws may be sprung or spread. Cutters require frequent lubrication. To keep cutting edges from becoming nicked or chipped, a cutter should not be used as a nail puller or pry bars. Cutter jaws have the hardness speciﬁed by the manufacturer for the particular kind of material to be cut. Cutting edges are spaced 0.003 in. apart when closed. 15.2.8 FILES Selection of the right kind of ﬁle for the job will prevent injuries and lengthen the life of the ﬁle. Files are to be cleaned only with ﬁle-cleaning card or brush; never by striking. Never use a ﬁle as a pry bar or hammer, as chipping and breaking could result in user injury. For safe use, grip the ﬁle ﬁrmly in one hand and use the thumb and foreﬁnger of the other to guide the point. A ﬁle should not be made into a center punch, chisel, or any other types of tools because the hardened steel may break. A ﬁle should never be used without a smooth, crack-free handle: were the ﬁle to bind, the tang may puncture the palm of the hand, the wrist, or other body parts. Under some conditions, a clamp-on raised offset handle may be useful to give extra clearance for the hands. Files are not to be used on lathe stock turning at high speeds (faster than three turns per ﬁle stroke) because the end of the ﬁle may strike the chuck, dog, or faceplate and throw the ﬁle (or metal chip) back at the operator hard enough to inﬂict serious injury. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
15.2.9 HACKSAWS Hacksaws should be adjusted in the frame to prevent buckling and breaking, but should not be tight enough to break off the pins that support the blades. Install blades with teeth pointing forward. Pressure should be applied on the forward stroke, not the back stroke. Lift the saw slightly, pulling back lightly to protect the teeth. If the blades twist or too much pressure is applied, the blades may break and cause injury to the hands or arm of the user. Never continue an old cut with a dull blade. 15.2.10 HAMMERS A hammer is a shock tool. The head is to be securely afﬁxed wedged handle for the particular type of head. The handle should be smooth, without cracks or splinters, free from oil, shaped to ﬁt the hand, and of the speciﬁc size and length. The handles should be straight. Once split, the handles must be replaced. Some other common rules are as follows: . Do not use a steel hammer on hardened steel surfaces. Instead use a soft- head hammer or one with a plastic, wood, or rawhide head. . Safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields must be worn to protect against ﬂying chips, nails, or other materials. . Never strike a hammer with another hammer. . Discard any hammer that shows chips, dents, etc. Redressing is not recom- mended. 15.2.11 HATCHETS Hatchets must not be used for striking hard metal surfaces, since the tempered head may injure the user or others by rebounding or by creating ﬂying chips. When using a hatchet in a crowed area, workers must take special care to prevent injury to themselves and others. Using a hatchet to drive nails is prohibited. Refer to Section 15.2.2 since the hatchet rules are quite similar. 15.2.12 KNIVES Knives cause more disabling injuries than any other hand tool. The hazards are that the hand may slip from the handle on the blade or that the knife may strike the body or the free hand. Use knives with handle guards if possible. Knives are to be kept sharp and in their holders, cabinets, or sheaths when not in use. Knife strokes should always be away from the body. Use cut resistant gloves when using knives. Never carry a sheath knife on the front part of a belt. Always carry it over the right or left hip, toward the back. This will prevent severing a leg artery or vein in case of a fall. Knives must never be left lying on benches or in other places, where they may cause hand injuries. Safe placing and storing of knives are important in knife safety. Supervisors must provide ample room to those who work with knives so they are not in danger of being bumped by other workers. Supervisors should be particularly ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
careful about the hazard of workers leaving knives hidden under a product, under scrap paper, or wiping rags, or among other tools in toolboxes or drawers. Knives are to be kept separate from other tools to protect the cutting edge of the knife as well as to protect the worker. Supervisors must assure that nothing that requires excessive pressure on the knife is undertaken by workers. Knives must not be used as a substitute for can openers, screwdrivers, or ice picks. Do not wipe dirty or oily knives on clothing. Clean the blade by wiping it with a towel or cloth with the sharp edge away from the wiping hand. Horseplay of any kind (throwing, fencing, etc.) should be prohibited. 15.2.13 PIPE TONGS Workers should neither stand nor jump on the tongs nor place extensions on the handles to obtain more leverage. They should use larger tongs. 15.2.14 PIPE WRENCHES The pipe wrench is another example of a torsion tool. Pipe wrenches, both straight and chain tong, must have sharp jaws and be kept clean to prevent slipping. The adjusting nut of the wrench should be inspected frequently. If it is cracked, the wrench must be taken out of service. A cracked nut may break under strain, causing complete failure of the wrench and possible injury to the user (Figure 15.7). A piece of pipe ‘‘cheater’’ slipped over the handle must not be used to give added leverage because this can strain a pipe wrench to the breaking point. The handle of every wrench is designed to be long enough for the maximum allowable safe pressure. Get a larger pipe wrench to do the job since they come in all sizes. FIGURE 15.7 Select the proper size pipe wrench for the job. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
15.2.15 PLIERS There are many types and sizes of pliers. Pliers should not be used as a substitute for wrenches. Pliers that are cracked, broken, or sprung should be removed from service. Pliers should not be used as a hammer nor should they be hammered upon. Pliers’ grips should be kept free of grease or oil, which could cause them to slip. Side-cut pliers sometimes cause injuries when short ends of wire are cut. A guard over the cutting edge and the use of safety glasses with side shields will help prevent eye injuries. The handles of electricians’ pliers must be insulated. In addition, employees must wear the proper electrical rated gloves if they are working on energized lines or circuits. 15.2.16 PUNCHES Punches are never to be used if the face is mushroomed or with a dull, chipped, or deformed point. Punches that are bent, cracked, or chipped shall be discarded. Safety glasses with side shields should be used when using a punch. 15.2.17 RIVETING HAMMERS A riveting hammer is another example of a shock tool, often used by sheet metal workers, and must have the same kind of use and care as a ball peen hammer and should be watched closely for cracked or chipped faces. 15.2.18 SHOVELS The shovel is a useful tool. The edges should be kept trimmed and handles checked for splinters and cracks. Use safety shoes with sturdy soles and gloves when shoveling. Proper shoveling posture requires that the feet be well separated to get good balance and spring in the knees. The leg muscles will take much of the load. To reduce the chance of injury, use the ball of the foot (not the arch) to press the shovel into the ground or other material. Never twist the torso when shoveling, move the feet instead. Dipping a shovel in water, greasing it, or waxing it will prevent some materials from sticking to it. When not in use, keep them hanging against the wall, or keep them in racks or boxes. 15.2.19 SCREWDRIVERS A screwdriver is the most commonly used and abused tool. The practice of using screwdrivers as punches, wedges, pinch bars, or pry bars should be discouraged as this practice dulls the blade and causes worker injuries. Screwdrivers should be selected to ﬁt the screw. Sharp-edged bits will not slip as easily as ones that are dull. Re-dress tips to original shape and keep them clean. Always hold work in a vise or lay it on a ﬂat surface to lessen the chance of injury were the screwdriver to slip. Other guidelines to keep in mind are as follows: ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
. Do not hold work piece against your body while using the screwdriver. Do not put your ﬁnger near the blade of screwdriver when tightening . a screw. . Do not force a screwdriver by using a hammer or pliers on it. . Do not use a screwdriver as a hammer or as a chisel. . Do not use a screwdriver if your hands are wet or oily. . Discard and replace any screwdriver if it has a broken handle, bent blade, etc. . Use an insulated screwdriver both handle and blade when performing any electrical work. . Cross-slot (Phillips-head) screwdrivers are safer than the square bit types, because they slip less. The tip must be kept clean and sharp to permit a good grip on the head of the screw. 15.2.20 SPECIAL CUTTERS Special cutters include those for cutting banding wire and strap. Claw hammers and pry bars must not be used to snap metal banding material. 15.2.21 TAP DIE WORK AND Tap and die work requires certain precautions. The work should be ﬁrmly mounted in a vise. Only a T-handle wrench or adjustable tap wrench should be used. When threads are being cut with a hard die, hands and arms should be kept clear of the sharp threads coming through the die, and metal cutting should be removed with a brush. 15.2.22 TIN SNIPS Tin snips should be heavy duty enough to cut the materials such that the worker needs only one hand on the snips and can use the other to hold the material. The material should be well supported before the last cut is made so that cut edges do not press against the hands. The proper snip is to be used for right and left hand cuts and straight cuts. Jaws of snips are to be kept tight and well lubricated. Workers must wear protective safety eyewear with side shields or goggles when trimming corners or slivers or metal because small particles often ﬂy with consider- able force. They must also wear cut resistant gloves or leather gloves. 15.2.23 WOOD CHISELS Wood chisels are wood cutting tools. Inexperienced workers must be instructed in the proper method of holding and using wood chisels. Handles are to be free of splinters. The wood handle of a chisel struck by a mallet is to be protected by a metal or leather cap to prevent splitting. The object must be free of nails to avoid damage to the blade or cause a chip to ﬂy into the user’s face or eye. Drive a wood chisel outward and away from your body. Users should wear safety eyewear with side shields. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
15.2.24 WRENCHES Open-end or box wrenches must be inspected to make sure that they ﬁt properly and are never to be used if the jaws are sprung or cracked. When defective they must be taken out of service and repaired or replaced. Further information regarding wrenches is as follows: . Select the correct size wrench for the job. Wrenches come in metric and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)—the American standard size. . Never use a pipe as a wrench handle extension (cheater). . Stand in a balanced position to avoid sudden slips when using a wrench. . Do not use a wrench if your hands are oily or greasy. 15.3 USE OF HAND TOOLS BY THE SERVICE INDUSTRY Many industry sectors may require hand tools to accomplish work tasks. This is especially true for those who do repairs, servicing, assembling, and maintenance activities. The sectors that most require hand tools are the utilities, warehousing, wholesale, retail, telecommunications (information), other services, and maintenance personnel in the leisure, hospitality, education, health care, and administration sectors. Each industry sector may use a variety of hand tools or ones speciﬁc to their particular industry. 15.4 SUMMARY OF OSHA REGULATION FOR HAND TOOLS (29 CFR 1910.242) Hand and power tools are a common part of our everyday lives and are present in nearly every industry. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difﬁcult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous, and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Special attention toward hand and power tool safety is necessary to reduce or eliminate these hazards. Hand tools are nonpowered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance. The following are some examples. Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and ﬂy, hitting the user or other employees; if a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an ax is loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may ﬂy off and strike the user or another worker; a wrench must not be used if its jaws are sprung, because it might slip; or impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins are unsafe if they have mushroomed heads. The heads might shatter on impact, sending sharp fragments ﬂying. The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees but the employees are responsible for properly using and maintaining tools. Employers should caution employees that saw blades, knives, or other tools be directed away from aisle areas and other employees working in close proximity. Knives and scissors must be sharp. Dull tools can be more hazardous than ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
sharp ones. Appropriate PPE, e.g., safety goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn due to hazards that may be encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools. Safety requires that ﬂoors be kept as clean and as dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools. Around ﬂammable substances, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where this hazard exists, spark-resistant tools made of brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will provide safety. Employees who use hand and power tools and who are exposed to the hazards of falling, ﬂying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or exposed to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the particular personal equipment necessary to protect them from the hazard. 15.5 HAND TOOL CHECKLIST A checklist ensures that hand tools are in proper working order and being used as intended. It also guides compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration (OSHA) regulations and company rules and policies. Figure 15.8 provides a hand tool safety checklist. 15.6 SUMMARY Employers should provide workers with a variety of hand tools to help them work quickly, reliably, and safely. Some general guidelines need to be followed by those using hand tools: Hand tools and equipment checklist Yes& No& Are all tools and equipment (both companyand employee owned) used by employees at their workplace in good condition? Yes& No& Are hand tools such as chisels and punches, which develop mushroomed heads during use, reconditioned or replaced asnecessary? Yes& No& Are broken or fractured handles on hammers, axes, and similarequipment replaced promptly? Yes& No& Are worn or bent wrenches replaced regularly? Yes& No& Are appropriate handles used on files and similar tools? Yes& No& Are employeesmade aware ofthe hazards caused by faultyor improperly used hand tools? Yes& No& Are appropriate safetyglasses, face shields, etc. used while usinghand tools or equipment which might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage? Yes& No& Are jacks checked periodically to ensure theyare in good operating condition? Yes& No& Are toolhandleswedged tightly in the head ofall tools? Yes& No& Are tools’ cutting edges kept sharp so the toolwillmove smoothly without binding or skipping? Yes& No& Are tools storedin dry, secure locations where they would not be tampered with? Yes& No& Iseyeand faceprotectionusedwhen drivinghardened or tempered spudsornails? FIGURE 15.8 Hand tools and equipment checklist. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
. Use the right tool for the right job. . Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance. . Know the application, limitations, and potential hazards of the tool in use. Use all tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions. . . Use eye protection and appropriate PPE. . Keep guards in place, in working order, and properly adjusted. . Maintain clutter free work areas. . Remain alert to the potential hazards in the working environment such as slippery ﬂoors or the presence of highly combustible materials. Hand tools are so common that it is difﬁcult to always be on the alert for the potential hazards and of the preventive measures required to avert them. Therefore, in an effort to minimize accidents resulting from the use of hand tools, certain precautions need to be taken, such as the following: . Do not use broken, defective, burned, or mushroomed tools. Report defective tools to your supervisor and turn tools in for replacement. . Always use the proper tool and equipment for any task you may be assigned to do. For example, do not use a wrench as a hammer, or a screwdriver as a chisel. . Do not leave tools on scaffolds, ladders, or any overhead working surfaces. Racks, bins, hooks, or other suitable storage space must be provided to permit convenient arrangement of tools. . Do not strike two hardened steel surfaces together (i.e., two hammers, or a hammer and hardened steel shafts, bearings, etc.). . Do not throw tools from one location to another, from one worker to another, or drop them to lower levels; this is prohibited. When this type of passing is required, suitable containers and=or ropes must be used. . Wooden tool handles must be sound, smooth, in good condition, and securely fastened to the tool. Sharp-edged or pointed tools should never be carried in an employee’s . pockets. . Only nonsparking tools shall be used in locations where sources of ignition may cause a ﬁre or explosion. . Tools requiring heat treating should be tempered, formed, dressed, and sharpened by workmen experienced in these operations. . Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches are not to be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs. . Any defective tool should be removed from service and tagged indicating it is not to be used. ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
ß 2008 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.