This document provides an overview of hand and power tool safety. It discusses the responsibilities of employers to provide safe tools and train employees, as well as employee responsibilities to follow safe practices. Basic safety rules are outlined, such as using the proper tool for the job, wearing PPE, and keeping tools maintained and stored safely. Hazards associated with different types of tools are explained, along with the importance of machine guarding and avoiding moving parts. The document also covers electrical, pneumatic, and powder-actuated tools, outlining precautions for each.

1. Hand and Power Tool Safety

2. DISCLAIMER
This training material presents very
important, pertinent information. It should
not be assumed, however, that this program
satisfies every legal requirement of every
state. Some states require the training be
developed and delivered by an individual with
specific training and experience.
This training is AWARENESS LEVEL and does
not authorize any person to perform work or
validate their level of competency; it must be
supplemented with operation and process-
specific assessments and training, as well as
management oversight, to assure that all
training is understood and followed.
Your organization must do an evaluation of all
exposures and applicable codes and
regulations. In addition, establish proper
controls, training, and protective measures to
effectively control exposures and assure
compliance.
This program is neither a determination that
the conditions and practices of your
organization are safe, nor a warranty that
reliance upon this program will prevent
accidents and losses or satisfy local, state, or
federal regulations.
How to Use this Presentation
This presentation contains base material for use in an instructor-led training
setting. You may modify this presentation to satisfy the specific training
needs of your organization.
On some slides, the display text is supplemented with additional material in
the slide notes.
This content is licensed for modification and use in a classroom setting. You
may not redistribute this material in any form.
Introduction

3. General Safety
Employees who use hand and power tools face many
hazards. Most hazards, such as being struck by flying
objects, inhaling harmful particles, and being pinched
by moving parts can be avoided through proper work
habits.
In this chapter, we will learn the hazards associated
with the use of hand and power tools and what you
can do to help prevent them.
What you need to know:
• Why hand and power tool safety is important
• Required employer responsibilities
• Basic tool safety rules
Part
1

4. Why Take Hand and Power Tool Safety?
Hazards of working with hand and power tools:
• Sharp or abrasive objects
• Falling, flying, or splashing debris
• Hazardous dusts, fumes, gases, mists, or vapors
• Hazardous electrical connections, such as
damaged or frayed cords or improper grounding
General Safety

5. Responsibilities
Employer responsibilities:
• Assuring the safe condition of tools and
equipment within the workplace
• Training employees in the proper use and
handling of tools and equipment
Employee responsibilities:
• Following established safe practices and
procedures
• Immediately communicating any identified
hazards
General Safety
Employers are not allowed to issue or
permit the use of unsafe hand tools.

6. Housekeeping
• Store tools away from walkways, where they
will not obstruct or trip employees.
• Put away tools and equipment when not in use.
• Dispose of construction debris in a timely
manner.
• Keep aisles, stairways, and doorways
unobstructed.
Keep work and walking areas free of clutter to eliminate tripping hazards
before accidents occur.
General Safety

7. Basic Tool Safety Rules
• Only operate a tool if you are trained to
do so.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Operate according to the manufacturer’s
specifications.
• Wear the proper personal protective
equipment (PPE).
• Keep people that are not involved with
the work away from the tools.
General Safety

8. Inspection and Maintenance
• Perform regular maintenance.
‒ Keep all tools clean.
‒ Keep sharp tools sharp.
• Inspect the tool and perform tests daily
and prior to use to verify that all safety
measures are working properly.
• Remove damaged tools from service and
tag them, “Do Not Use.”
General Safety

9. Hazards and Controls
Improper use of tools can lead to serious injury or
death. Nail guns alone cause 37,000 emergency visits
a year. Safe work habits and hazard controls,
including machine guards and PPE, are essential for
your safety.
What you need to know:
• Points of operation
• Motion hazards
• Machine guarding
• Required PPE
Part
2

10. Points of Operation
The point of operation is the place where
the work is actually performed on the
materials.
In the example to the right, the point of
operation is where the saw cuts into the wood.
This area presents a hazard for the employee
using the saw.
Points of operation need to be guarded.
Hazards and
Controls
The guard on this power saw prevents
the employee’s hand from reaching the
point of operation.

11. Power Transmission Devices
In addition to the point of operation, another
hazard is the power transmission device.
Power transmission devices, such as gears or
belts, provide power. If these moving parts are
exposed, machine guarding is necessary.
Hazards and
Controls

12. Nip point
Hazards and
Controls
Motion Hazards
Power tools present various motion hazards.
Examples:
• A rotating drill can grab loose material and
pull it into the operating mechanism. This is
known as a caught-in hazard and a
rotation hazard.
• Tools with two points rotating towards each
other or tools with a rotating part
converging with a stationary part create
nip points. A nip point is another type of
caught-in hazard, as it can trap body parts
or clothes.
• A saw blade creates a cutting hazard.
In addition to guarding hazards, avoid
loose clothing, jewelry, or hair when
working around moving parts.

13. Machine Guarding
• Never remove a guard.
• Never reach into an operating or guarded area
of a tool when it is in use.
• Routinely inspect installed guards for defects
and check for proper function.
• Guards must be designed by the manufacturer
and installed by a qualified person.
Circular saw guard
Hazards and
Controls
Guards are now standard on most power tools.

14. Chop saws:
Upper and lower guards must be installed
on chop saws to prevent the operator from
coming in contact with the rotating blade.
Portable circular saws:
When using portable circular saws, the
guard must cover the full depth of the
blade’s teeth. Do not tamper with these
guards by pinning them open.
Upper blade guard
Hazards and
Controls
Machine Guard Examples
Lower blade guard

15. Hood guard
Table saws must have the following guards:
• A hood guard
• A separator
• An anti-kick-back device
Hazards and
Controls
Machine Guard Examples

16. Required PPE
• Use appropriate PPE for the tool and task.
• Appropriate PPE may include gloves,
safety goggles, ear protection, or a
respirator.
• Stay alert for nip point hazards when
wearing gloves or PPE with loose or
hanging straps or strings.
Hazards and
Controls
Using PPE also reduces injuries in the workplace. PPE includes eye, face, and
other body protection.

17. PPE must be
selected based on
the body part that
is prone to injury
and by the hazards
that are present.
Earplugs or earmuffs
Dust mask or respirator
Vest or coveralls
Safety boots
Hard hat
Safety glasses or goggles
Safety gloves
PPE ExamplesHazards and
Controls

18. Hand ToolsPart
3 Hand tools are powered manually. They include a
wide variety, from screwdrivers to pliers. Mindful
operation, inspection, and maintenance of your hand
tools will prevent common injuries, including cuts,
bruises, and lacerations.
What you need to know:
• Hand tool hazards
• Utility knife safety
• Proper housekeeping

19. Hand Tool Hazards
• Never use hand tools for any purpose other
than what they were designed for, e.g.,
using a chisel as a screwdriver.
• Never use tools that show signs of excessive
wear. For example:
‒ Wrenches with sprung jaws
‒ Impact tools with mushroomed heads
‒ Tools with loose, cracked, or splintered
handles
‒ Tools with taped handles, as the tape
may conceal cracks
Hand Tools
Most hand tool hazards result from improper maintenance or use.

20. Hand Tool Hazards
Sparks:
Metal hand tools may produce sparks that can
ignite flammable substances.
When working around flammable hazards, use
spark-resistant tools made of non-ferrous
materials.
Sharp edges:
When using sharp tools, such as saw blades or
knives:
• Direct movement away from people and
walkways.
• Never use dull tools. They are more difficult
to control and require more force, so they
cause more injuries than sharp ones.
Hand Tools

21. Utility Knives
• Choose adjustable and closable knives.
• Consider safety knives. Some of these
knives are disposable, eliminating the hazard
of changing blades. Other safety features
include auto-retracting guards and recessed
blades.
• Use cut-resistant gloves.
• Take great care when changing blades.
Immediately replace dull blades, and discard
the used blades in a rigid and sealed
container.
Hand Tools

22. Utility Knives
Do not force the blade. Cutting tasks that
require greater hand force have a greater risk of
loss of control and serious personal injury.
• Use knives only with appropriate
materials, such as thin plastic tapes,
wrappings, light cardboard, or paper
products.
• If the blade is tearing instead of cutting,
it is likely too dull and should be replaced.
• Repeat along your cutting line without
applying greater pressure until the pieces
separate if a single cut is not sufficient.
Hand Tools

23. Power Tools
Improper use of power tools lead to approximately
400,000 emergency room visits each year. Powered by
electricity, air pressure, fuel, or even gunpowder, these
tools require extreme caution to operate.
What you need to know:
• Electrical hazards
• Best practices
• Power tool types
• Associated hazards
Part
4

24. • Disconnect tools when not in use, before
servicing and cleaning, and when changing
accessories.
• Follow your lockout/tagout program.
• When possible, secure work with clamps or
a vise, freeing both hands to operate the
tool.
• Do not hold the switch button while
carrying a plugged-in tool.
Power Tools General Precautions

25. Electrical hazards:
Power tools can present serious electrical hazards,
including shocks, burns, and heart failure.
It only takes a small amount of electric current to
cause heart fibrillation or even death.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

26. Electrical cord precautions:
• Assure that power cords are properly laid
out or secured to prevent tripping hazards.
• Do not use power cords to carry tools or to
hoist or lower tools.
• Do not disconnect tools by pulling on the
cords or hoses.
• Keep cords and hoses clear from hazards
such as heat, oil, and sharp edges.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

27. Double insulated
markings
Plug with a
grounding pin
Grounding best practices:
• Use double-insulated, three-wire cords
that have a grounding pin.
• Use tools with low-voltage isolation
transformers.
• An Assured Grounding Program is
strongly advised.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

28. Other guidelines:
• Only use electric tools within their
manufacturer-specified design limits.
• Keep work areas well lit and dry, unless the
tool is approved for working in wet conditions.
• When not in use, make sure that tools are
stored in a dry place.
• Use appropriate PPE to protect from flying or
falling debris. This includes:
‒ Gloves, except where they would present
a pull-in hazard
‒ Safety shoes.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

29. Electrical Tools
Hand grinders and other portable
grinding tools:
• Install safety guards: Prevent the
operator from coming in contact with the
wheel surface and from flying debris if
the wheel breaks.
• Hold hand grinders during operation:
Never place a hand grinder in a vise for
operation.
Power Tools

30. Abrasive wheel guards:
Abrasive wheels are hazardous because they can
create flying debris while grinding, cutting, and
polishing materials.
Guards must:
• Protect the user from foreign objects.
• Maintain proper alignment with the wheel.
• Only expose a minimal amount of the wheel.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

31. Abrasive wheel measurements:
• There should be ¼” of space between
the top guard and the grinding wheel.
• Work rests should be ⅛” or less from
the wheel’s surface. This prevents work
from getting jammed between the
wheel and the rest.
Power Tools Electrical Tools
¼”
⅛”

32. Abrasive wheel inspection:
• Closely inspect abrasive wheels for
damage prior to use.
• Use the ring test to assure that the
wheel is free from cracks or other
defects:
‒ Gently tap the wheel with a light,
non-metallic instrument.
‒ If the wheel sounds dead or
cracked, do not use it, as it may
not be structurally sound.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

33. Do not exceed the
maximum spindle
speed indicated
on the wheel.
Abrasive wheel operation:
• Stand to the side of the wheel as it reaches
the proper speed.
• Allow the wheel to reach the proper speed
before starting on your grind or cut.
• Do not grind with the side of the wheel.
• Do not adjust the wheel or the rest while
the wheel is rotating.
• Install the wheel properly, not distorting the
flange.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

34. Hand drills:
• Be aware of the drill’s voltage. If the
torque is high, such as 24-volt, you
must hold the drill securely with both
hands.
• Hold the drill in a comfortable position.
• For awkward positions, use a lower
voltage drill, such as 18-volt or less.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

35. Drill presses:
• Use appropriate PPE, including safety
glasses or goggles and hearing
protection.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
• Secure work with a clamp or drill vise
to keep it from being spun by the bit.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

36. Constant
pressure
switch
Hand-held power tools must include at least
one of the following components.
1. Constant pressure switch:
• Power is shut off when it is released.
• Tools with this switch typically include
chainsaws, circular saws, and hand-held
drills.
2. On/off switch:
• The tool will not start until the activation
of the on/off switch.
• It must be magnetic.
• Tools with this switch typically include
jigsaws, planers, and routers.
Power Tools Electrical Tools

37. Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air.
Examples include nail guns, jack hammers, and
sanders.
Dangers associated with pneumatic tools include
being struck by moving parts and puncture
wounds from flying nails and fasteners.
Power Tools

38. Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic tool safety:
• Assure that proper safety devices are in
place to prevent fasteners or attachments
from ejecting when the muzzle is not in
contact with your work surface.
• Wear the proper PPE.
• Keep hands well outside of operating
areas.
• Apply the same safety measures to air
hoses that you would for electrical cords.
Power Tools

39. Pneumatic Tools
Fasteners for pneumatic tools:
• Make sure that the tool is securely fastened
to the air hose.
• Use a positive locking device or short wire
to keep the hose and tool attached.
Power Tools
The hose and tool are
secured by a wire.

40. Pneumatic Tools
Connections for pneumatic tools:
Hose fittings are acceptable pneumatic tool
connections, but hose clamps are not.
Power Tools
Hose fittings Hose clamps

41. Pneumatic Tools
Air nozzles:
If attaching a nozzle to a compressed air line, the
air must be reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.
The use of nozzles requires proper PPE (e.g., eye
protection).
Power Tools
Do not use compressed air for cleaning.
Clean your tools, work areas, or surfaces with
a brush or vacuum instead.

42. Powder-Actuated Tools
If used without proper training, powder-
actuated tools can be deadly. Many people
die of injuries from projectile nails.
Power Tools
In one case, an employee was using a nail
gun to anchor a plywood formwork. The
nail killed an employee 20 feet away.
Powder-actuated tools are powered by an explosive charge that drives a
fastener into an object.

43. Powder-Actuated Tools
Operating guidelines:
• Treat a powder-actuated tool like a loaded
gun.
• Only operate the tool if specially trained.
• Only load the tool immediately before use.
• Never point the tool at anyone.
• Never leave a loaded tool unattended.
• Never use in proximity to flammable or explosive
materials or atmosphere.
• Always survey and secure the surrounding areas.
• Keep your hands clear from the barrel’s end at all
times.
Power Tools

44. Powder-Actuated Tools
Safe use:
Before firing, release the safety mechanism
by placing the tool against the work surface
and applying pressure of at least 5 pounds
greater than the tool’s total weight.
Power Tools
In the event of a misfire:
• Hold the tool in its operating position
for at least 30 seconds before
attempting to fire it again.
• If the tool misfires again, hold it in
position for another 30 seconds, then
carefully remove the charge per the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• The faulty charge must be placed in
water immediately after removal.
• If the tool is determined to be
defective, it must be immediately
tagged and removed from service
until properly repaired.

45. Powder-Actuated Tools
Inspect tools daily and before each use
to assure that:
• The tool has the proper safety measures
and attachments.
• The safety measures are working.
• The tool is clean.
• Moving parts are operating freely.
• The barrel is free from obstructions.
Power Tools
Other guidelines:
• Store the tool unloaded and in a
locked box.
• Everyone working in the area must
wear the appropriate PPE, including
ear protection.
• Choose a powder level that
performs the job without excessive
force.

46. Powder-Actuated Tools
Know the characteristics of your work surface.
Power Tools
• If a material is hollow or too easily
penetrated, your pin or fastener may fire
straight through.
• If a material is too hard or brittle, it may
chip or shatter upon impact or the fastener
could ricochet.

47. Liquid Fuel Tools
Fuel-powered tools include concrete cutters and
are typically gasoline-powered.
They can emit fuel vapors and exhaust fumes
that can ignite, explode, or pose threats to your
health or the environment.
Guidelines:
• Prior to refueling, power down the engine
and allow it to cool.
• If using a fuel-powered tool in an enclosed
area, assure that the area is properly
ventilated or employees are provided with
proper respirator devices and hearing
protection.
• Make sure fire extinguishers are readily
available in the work area.
Power Tools

48. Hydraulic Tools
Hydraulic tools use pressurized fluid to transmit force.
These tools are often used to lift, separate, or sever
heavy materials.
What you need to know:
• Hydraulic tool precautions
• How to use a jack safely
Part
5

49. JacksHydraulic Tools
Capacity:
• All jacks must be marked with the
manufacturer’s rated capacity and stopping
point.
• Never exceed the capacity or stopping point.
Inspection and maintenance:
Jacks should be lubricated and inspected
on a regular basis.
A jack is a common type of hydraulic tool.

50. Jacks
When installing a jack:
• Assure that the jack’s base is on a firm,
level surface.
‒ If the jack’s foundation is not firm,
place a block under the jack base.
• Center the jack under the load.
• Place the jack’s head against a level
surface.
• To prevent the head from slipping, place a
block between it and the load.
• Make sure that lift force is applied evenly.
• Stay out from under suspended loads.
Hydraulic Tools

51. Jacks
The load is cribbed to
prevent it from falling.
The railroad tie provides
a firm base for the jack.
Cribbing:
To support the load and provide a failsafe if
the jack fails, loads must be cribbed
incrementally during lifting.
Hydraulic Tools

52. Summary
Most hazards are caused by improper use or
maintenance.
• Only use tools after proper training.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Perform an inspection of the tool prior to use.
• Verify that points of operation and motion
hazards are guarded.
• Always use safe handling and operating
practices.
• Keep body parts away from hazardous areas.
• Store and maintain tools properly.

53. Congratulations! You have completed
Hand and Power Tool Safety.