Safety procedures using hand tools

Hammers, wrenches, chisels, pliers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools are often underrated as sources of potential
danger. Hand tools may look harmless, but they are the cause of many injuries. In fact, an estimated 8 percent of all
workplace compensable injuries are caused by incidents associated with hand tools. These injuries can be serious,
including loss of fingers or eyesight.

Hand tools can cause many types of injuries:

1. Cuts, abrasions, amputations, and punctures. If hand tools are designed to cut or move metal and wood,
remember what a single slip can do to fragile human flesh.
2. Repetitive motion injuries. Using the same tool in the same way all day long, day after day, can stress
human muscles and ligaments. Carpal tunnel syndrome (inflammation of the nerve sheath in the wrist) and
injuries to muscles, joints and ligaments are increasingly common if the wrong tool is used, or the right tool
is used improperly. Injury from continuous vibration can also cause numbness or poor circulation in hands
and arms.
3. Eye injuries. Flying chips of wood or metal are a common hazard, often causing needless and permanent
blindness.
4. Broken bones and bruises. Tools can slip, fall from heights, or even be thrown by careless employees,
causing severe injuries. A hammer that falls from a ladder is a lethal weapon.

To avoid such injuries, remember the following safety procedures:

1. Use the right tool for the job. Don't use your wrench as a hammer. Don't use a screwdriver as a chisel, etc.
Go back to the tool house and get the right tool in the right size for the job.
2. Don't use broken or damaged tools, dull cutting tools, or screwdrivers with worn tips.
3. Cut in a direction away from your body.
4. Make sure your grip and footing are secure when using large tools.
5. Carry tools securely in a tool belt or box. Don't carry tools up ladders. Use a hoist or rope.
6. Keep close track of tools when working at heights. A falling tool can kill a co-worker.
7. Pass a tool to another person by the handle; never toss it to them.
8. Use the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. Follow company instructions for selecting
and using safety eyewear, steel toed shoes, gloves, hard hats, etc.
9. Never carry sharp or pointed tools such as a screwdriver in your pocket.
10. Select ergonomic tools for your work task when movements are repetitive and forceful.
11. Be on the lookout for signs of repetitive stress. Early detection might prevent a serious injury.
12. Always keep your tools in top condition. A dull blade or blunt point can lead to injury.
13. Store tools properly when you stop work.

Hand Tool Operation

What are some basic tips when using hand tools?

Ensure that employees are properly trained in the safe use of hand tools.

Always provide training on how to choose the right tool for the job, how to correctly use each tool, and how to
identify when tools need repair.

Select the right tool for the job. Substitutes increase the chance of having an accident.
Use tools designed to allow wrist to stay straight. Avoid using hand tools with your wrist bent.

Use good quality tools.

Keep tools in good condition at all times.

Inspect tools for defects before use. Replace or repair defective tools.

Keep cutting tools sharp and cover sharp edges with a suitable covering to protect the tool and to prevent injuries
from unintended contact.

Replace cracked, splintered, or broken handles on files, hammers, screwdrivers, or sledges.

Ensure that the handles of tools like hammers and axes fit tightly into the head of the tool.

Replace worn jaws on wrenches, pipe tools and pliers.

Redress burred or mushroomed heads of striking tools.

Pull on a wrench or pliers. Never push unless you hold the tool with your palm open.

Point sharp tools (e.g., saws, chisels, knives) laying on benches away from aisles and handles should not extend
over the edge of the bench top.

Maintain tools carefully. Keep them clean and dry, and store them properly after each use.

Carry tools in a sturdy tool box to and from the worksite.

Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a faceshield (with safety glasses or goggles) and well-fitting gloves appropriate
for the hazards to which you may be exposed when doing various tasks.

Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutter which may cause accidents.

Use a heavy belt or apron and hang tools pointed down at your sides, not behind your back.

Keep the work space tidy. Store tools properly when not in use.

What should I avoid when using hand tools?

Do not use tools for jobs they are not intended to do. For example, do not use a slot screw driver as a chisel, pry
bar, wedge or punch, or wrenches as hammers.

Do not apply excessive force or pressure on tools.

Do not cut towards yourself when using cutting tools.

Do not hold the stock in the palm of your hand when using a cutting tool or a screwdriver. Always lay it on a
workbench or in a vice.

Do not wear bulky gloves to operate hand tools.

Do not throw tools. Hand them, handle first, directly to other workers.
 Do not carry tools in a way that interferes with using both hands on a ladder, while climbing on a structure, or
when doing any hazardous work. If working on a ladder or scaffold, tools should be raised and lowered using a
bucket and hand line.

Do not carry a sharp tool in your pocket.

Do not use tools during electrical work unless they are designed for electrical work (e.g., properly insulated).

Do not leave tools lying around on elevated structures such as a platform or scaffold as they may be bumped and
fall.

Document last updated on August 1, 2017

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Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing and equipment worn by employees,
students, contractors or visitors to protect or shield their bodies from workplace hazards.

Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 sets out the obligation of an employer 'where it is not practicable to
avoid the presence of hazards at the workplace, [to] provide the employees with, or otherwise provide for the employees to
have, such adequate personal protective clothing and equipment as is practicable to protect them against those hazards,
without any cost to the employees'.
 Codes of Practice: First Aid Facilities and Services, Workplace Amenities and Facilities, Personal Protective Clothing and
Equipment 2002, provides guidance on the selection, provision and use of personal protective equipment and requirements
for specific hazards.

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 also provide guidance.

In the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administration and PPE), personal protective equipment is
considered the least satisfactory method in the prevention of work-related injury or illness and is only to be used when other
measures are not feasible or cannot be implemented immediately. PPE should be used, however, to supplement or augment
other means of hazard control, to further minimise the risk of injury.

Issues affecting use of PPE include discomfort and inconvenience, and inappropriate or poorly maintained equipment. It is vital
that problems caused by inadequate selection, fit and maintenance do not undermine the effectiveness of the equipment.

1. Types of personal protective equipment

2. Responsibilities for equipment
3. Sources of more detailed information
4. Personal protective equipment checklist
5. Management record

Types of personal protective equipment

PPE can be considered in the following categories, based on the type of protection afforded by the equipment:
 Respiratory protection - for example, disposable, cartridge, air line, half or full face
 Eye protection – for example, spectacles/goggles, shields, visors
 Hearing protection – for example, ear muffs and plugs
 Hand protection – for example, gloves and barrier creams
 Foot protection – for example, shoes/boots
 Head protection – for example, helmets, caps, hoods, hats
 Working from heights - for example, harness and fall arrest devices
 Skin protection – for example, hats, sunburn cream, long sleeved clothes
 Other personal protective equipment: This may include PPE for specific tasks such disposable clothing for working with
chemicals, radiation hazards, welding, painting. Examples include: lead aprons for x-ray protection; sleeve protectors,
aprons, coveralls when using chemicals; leather jackets, trousers and spats for welding; thermal and cold protective clothing
for work near furnaces and cool rooms.
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Responsibilities for equipment

Management must ensure that:

 the needs for PPE are assessed by a person who is competent to judge whether other methods of risk control can offer
better protection of safety and health than the provision of PPE
 professional advice is obtained, where necessary, to identify the most suitable types of PPE for the tasks to be carried out
 training is provided to supervisors and employees to enable them to ensure the proper selection, fit, use, cleaning and
maintenance of PPE
 supervision and enforcement of the PPE policy is undertaken
 evaluation of the effectiveness of the PPE program is carried out on a regular basis
 suitable PPE is provided for visitors who may be exposed to hazards in the workplace. At UWA this includes students where
appropriate. Equipment shall be properly cleaned before re-issue
 all equipment complies with current relevant Australian Standards and should be stamped or labelled with an AS compliance
marking. Existing PPE shall be re-assessed regularly to ensure compliance.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 regulation 3.35, employees:
1. must use the protective clothing or equipment in a manner in which he or she has been properly instructed to use it
2. must not misuse or damage the clothing or equipment, and
3. must, as soon as practicable after becoming aware of any
4.
o damage to
o malfunction of, or
o need to clean or sterilise, the clothing or equipment
notify the person providing the clothing or equipment of the damage, malfunction or need to clean or sterilise the
clothing or equipment.