Personal protective equipment power tools

Note: Safety eyewear, hard hats, gloves, and appropriate safety shoes are required on all construction sites. All hand tool and portable power tools and similar equipment, whether furnished by Caltech or by or the employee, will be maintained regularly and kept in a safe working condition. Hand tools are non-powered or operate only through physical exertion by hand.

The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance. A portable tool is one that requires a power source to operate, such as electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, explosive-actuated, and powder-actuated device or power supply. Power tools can be hazardous if used improperly. Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded.

For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts of equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees. All hand-held power tools will be fitted with any one of the following safety switch methods as appropriate for the particular tool:.

Portable electric tools will be of the approved double-insulated type and used with an approved grounding device such as a GFI Ground Fault Indicator to prevent the unlikely event of an electrical shock. Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders. The fluid used in hydraulic powered tools will be fire-resistant and must retain its operating characteristics at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed. The manufacturer's safe operating pressures for hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings will not be exceeded.

Powder-actuated tools are also known as "explosive-actuated. Only employees who have been trained in the safe operation of the particular powder-actuated tool in use will be allowed to operate a powder-actuated tool. Scope This Plan covers site-specific practices and requirements for safe hand and portable power tool operation and maintenance.

The Plan applies to list non-exhaustive : Hand-held tools and portable equipment with point-of-operation hazards or physical defects such as broken handles, mushroomed heads, or dull edges that may cause an injury to the user. Knives, axes, shovels, hammers, chisels, and paper cutters. Portable power tools supplied by energy e. Lawnmowers and jacks. Responsibilities Caltech will protect its employees from hazards related to hand and portable power tools and equipment through engineering controls, tool safeguards, communication of hazards and solutions, employee training, and personal protective equipment PPE.

Maintaining training records, maintenance documentation, and inspection records of hand and portable power tools. Providing additional on-the-job OJT training if the employee is not familiar with the equipment. Providing safe hand and portable power tool equipment to employees. Removing defective hand or portable power tools from service. Employees All employees who use hand and portable power tools will: Anticipate work hazards.

Understand and follow the hand and power tool safety procedures in this Plan. Inspect hand and portable powers tool before use. Refrain from using damaged hand or portable power tools. Use the right tool for the job.

Immediately pull damaged tools from use and report them to a supervisor. Not tamper with or remove safety guards. Hand Tool A tool that is non-powered or operates only through physical exertion by hand e. Point of operation The area of a tool where the work is performed, which may expose the employee to injury if defective or not properly guarded. Portable power tool A portable tool that requires a power source to operate, such as electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, explosive-actuated, and powder-actuated device or power supply.

Examples of regulated portable power tools are portable abrasive wheels and grinders, lawn mowers, powered drills,portable circular saws, portable belt sanding machines, explosive-actuated fastening tools, jacks, and abrasive blast cleaning nozzles. Hazard Assessments The Supervisor will ensure that a hazard assessment is conducted in each work area where hand and portable power tools may be used.

The assessment will identify hazards that could expose employees to: Flying objects Electric shock Sparks Punctures or lacerations Crushing forces For example, sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source around flammable substances.

General Safety Requirements Personal Protective Equipment PPE Employees using hand and power tools may be exposed to falling, flying, abrasive and splashing objects, flying dusts, fumes or mists, vapors or gases, and should be fitted with the appropriate PPE necessary to protect them from hazards. Hearing Protection Hearing protection is recommended when using power tools. Housekeeping Floors will be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent slips and falls. Extension cords will be used as needed for temporary power only, and must be stored properly when not in use.

Waste will be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles. All work areas and walkways will be well lit. Hand Tools Hand tools are non-powered or operate only through physical exertion by hand. Hand tool precautions include the following: Use the right tool for the job. Saw blades, knives, and other sharp tools will be directed away from aisle areas and other employees working in close proximity. Knives and scissors will be kept sharp; dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones.

Only spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or wood will be used around flammable substances. Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, box-end, and socket-style wrenches, will not be used when the jaws or socket are stripped or sprung in such a way that slippage occurs. Impact tools such as drill pins or punches, wedges, and chisels will be kept free of mushroomed heads. Some people prefer fingerless gloves for dexterity.

Full Body Harness Whenever someone is working at a height above 4 feet, by law an employer must provide a fall protection or prevention system. The choice of system should be evaluated by trained qualified person. Respirator Various types of masks protect you from exposure to dust, airborne biohazards, fumes, or chemical in the air depending on the type of filter used. These types of respirators have vents that allow air to expel without passing back through the filter and are not considered acceptable to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

If you are using an N95 or any type of mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illness, it must not feature a valve that allows exhaled air to bypass the filter. Boots Safety Toe These protect your foot from piercing damage by objects on the floor as well as from crushing damage.

The protective toe can be either steel or a composite material. Was this article helpful to you? Yes 2 No. How can we help? Foam Ear Inserts Ear Plugs. These protect from damaging levels of noise.

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