Basic Hand Tools Safety Module

Training Objectives:

Identify basic hand tools used for routine maintenance activities.
Provide examples of tool abnormalities to support inspection activities.
Demonstrate proper and safe use of hand tools.

Hand Tools

Held in the “hand” and powered by the person using them
Important to be able to identify them
Know the uses and misuses

Hand Tool Safety

According to Accident Facts, hand tools are involved in 6% of all compensated work injuries. This figure increases to 14% for non-compensated injuries.

The average cost of a hand tool injury is listed as US$1250.

This is only counting the direct costs and not the indirect injury costs (i.e. lost production).

The primary hazards encountered when using hand tools include:

striking or contacting part of the body with the tool
striking the body with the work piece
projectiles flying off the tool or workpiece

The most common injuries from the use of hand tools are:

Laceration or cut from a knife blade, saw, or other tool with a sharp surface or jagged edge.
Contusions, or bruises from striking the fingers with the tool.
Foreign objects in eyes.

The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

Common Causes of Injuries:

Not wearing appropriate PPE.
Using the wrong tool for the work to be performed.
Using the tool improperly.
Using defective tools.
Failure to inspect the tool before use.
Improper storage or transportation of the tool.

Tool Defects:

All tools should be inspected for hazardous defects before each use.

Immediately remove from service any tools that are not in proper working condition.

Most common hazardous tool defects include:

Mushroomed heads on chisels or punches
Dull knives
Loose handles
Sprung wrench heads
Bent screwdriver bits
Worn screwdriver tips

Always keep your tools clean.

Oil can cause the tool to slip off an object or out of your hands.
Dirt and grime can impair the tool’s work, requiring more pressure.

Keep tools where they belong

Carry tools in a toolbox or tool belt, especially those with sharp points or edges.

Pass a tool to another person by the handle;

never toss it to them

Check for secure footing.

Handle a tool in such a way that, if a slip occurs, the direction of force will be away from your body.

Have plenty of finger clearance.

Never hold the workpiece in your hand, if the tool slips it will stab the palm of your hand.

Screwdrivers:

Used for one purpose only:

tightening and removing threaded fasteners.

Robertson (square)
Philips (cross)
Flat

Proper Use:

Select the right screwdriver
Select the correct size of screwdriver
Check screwdrivers for worn or bent tips
Check screwdriver for handle damage & bent shafts

The screwdriver width and

thickness should match the

fastener width and thickness.

Use Guidelines:

Hold the screwdriver parallel with the screw
Use one hand to apply force
Use the other hand to help guide the screwdriver and keep it straight

Common Misuses:

Do not use as a pry bar, scraper, chisel or punch
Do not use a flat-tipped screwdriver on a Phillips-head screw
Do not use a damaged screwdriver on any fastener

Nut Drivers:

Safer to use than a screwdriver
Used for small diameter fasteners where torque is not a factor

Wrenches:

Due to the wide variety of threaded fasteners and applications, you have an assortment of different styles:

Using Wrenches:

Verify correct size of wrench needed by fitting it onto the fastener head – Is it SAE or Metric ?

Check all wrench areas that contact fastener for damage and worn sides.

Ensure wrench is flush with fastener.

Where ever possible, use a socket or box-end wrench instead of an adjustable or open-ended wrench:

they are generally easier to control, are more convenient;
they completely encircle the nut, bolt or fitting and grip it at all corners as opposed to two corners gripped by an open end wrench;
thus, they are less likely to damage a bolt or nut;
they give great flexibility in hard-to-reach places;
they will not slip off laterally;
they eliminate the dangers of sprung jaws.

Wrenches should always be pulled and not pushed

Pushing a wrench can cause a loss of control if there is a sudden release of pressure;
If it slips, your hand may hit whatever is ahead of it;
When possible, use both hands to hold and guide the wrench.

A short, steady pull should be used rather than quick, jerky motions.

Never hammer or strike a wrench!

A piece of pipe or “cheater” slipped over the wrench handle must not be used to give added leverage

This can strain a wrench to the breaking point.

The handle of every wrench is designed to be long enough for the maximum allowable safe pressure.