Excerpt:
Introduction
As we look back on injury experiences one frightening
thought comes clearly in focus: Hand and power tools cause thousands of
injuries every year. Everyone uses hand and power tools at work, and at home,
but even the simple screwdriver causes over a hundred deaths each year. It’s
difficult to get excited about hand and power tools, but the injury rate tells
us that safety is extremely important when using this equipment. This program
cannot possibly cover all hand and power tools, and all the safety rules
associated with using these items, but the point we want to stress right up
front is safety must be exercised every time anyone uses hand and power tools.
Safety awareness is of vital importance.
The Basics
So let’s begin the program with some basics. A good safety
attitude is the first step in injury prevention. If you’re aware of the
potential hazards and then do something about these hazards to protect yourself
and others then you have a good safety attitude. Safety behavior is a term used
quite frequently, but all it means is a person exercises good judgment, follows
safety rules, and doesn’t take short cuts to get the job done. Safety behavior
reflects your safety attitude, and it certainly doesn’t take any more time,
effort, or anything else on your part to be a truly safe employee. It does
require you to use good judgment and follow the safety rules established by
your organization.
Hand and Power Tool Safety Rules
Okay, the first rule for hand and power tool safety is to
use equipment that is in good, safe, serviceable condition. Regardless of who
provides the tools and equipment, either you or your employer, all tools and
equipment must be in good serviceable condition. Defective equipment must be
taken out of service, and not used until it is repaired or replaced.
Okay, let’s take a few seconds to talk about
knuckle-skinners, also known as wrenches. Most wrench accidents are caused by
the wrench slipping off the bolt or nut you’re trying to turn. Knuckles and
fingers bang into surfaces causing minor injuries.
- When you’re turning something with a wrench be prepared for
the wrench to slip so the injury can be prevented. If you’re prepared you’ll
prevent the injury.
- When using long-handled wrenches position your feet and body
in such a manner so that if the wrench slips you won’t take a fall.
- Another safety tip is to make sure the wrench opening fits
snugly on the nut or bolt. A loose fit damages the tool, and it certainly
increases the injury potential.
- Never try to use metric wrenches on inch fasteners or vice
versa. Use the proper tool for the job.
One of the worst safety violations is to use a cheater bar.
A cheater bar is something like a pipe placed on the wrench or tool to give you
more leverage. Your wrench or tool is designed only for hand pressure, and when
you add a cheater bar your exceeding the safety design of the tool. Just say
“No” to cheater bars.
Certainly there are times when you need to loosen a frozen
nut or bolt, and hand pressure won’t do it. That’s when you need to use a
heavy-duty striking tool, and some penetrating oil. The striking tool is
designed to be hit with a hammer and will do the job so you don’t have to use a
cheater bar, or other hazardous operation to free that frozen bolt or nut.
Types of Sockets and Wrenches
There are basically three types of socket wrenches and
sockets:
- Hand sockets
- Power sockets
- Impact sockets.
Never mix the different types. In other words, don’t use a
hand socket on an impact wrench. Each type is designed for a specific wrench,
and when you use the wrong socket you can easily damage the wrench or socket. If
you’re using an impact wrench use only impact sockets designed for the job.
Adjustable Wrenches
Adjustable wrenches are very versatile and they’re used for
a variety of jobs. One of the major causes of injury with adjustable wrenches
is using damaged wrenches. When the adjustable threads become worn or the
surface on the inside of the jaw becomes rounded from use the tool is unsafe to
use. Replace this damaged tool with one in serviceable condition.
