Guide to Selecting Power Tools

The information on this page is drawn from material produced by Cal OSHA. The original pdf is available at the bottom of the page. 6/1/09

Background

Most of us use power tools every day. Generally we don't get hurt. But every year in California, portable power tools injure almost 1,800 construction workers seriously enough to keep them off the job. Working with power tools, you can get an electric shock, lose a finger, lose an eye, or go deaf. It's especially dangerous to use a tool that's defective, that's been modified, or that's not designed for the job. Of course, you can also get injured if you use any tool carelessly. Power tools can also contribute to "ergonomic" injuries. These are injuries to the muscles, tendons, joints, and nerves. They include strains and sprains, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic injuries can happen right away or develop over time.

Information to Consider

The most common injuries from working with power tools

• Electric shock
• Flash burns
• Falling
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss
• Crushing or losing a body part
• Ergonomic injuries.

Safety rules to keep in mind

• Use the right tool for the job. Never use a tool for a job it wasn't designed to do. Make sure you're familiar with your tools and know how to use them properly.
• Select tools that fit the hand comfortably, have soft grips that don't cut into your hand, and are not too heavy.
• Select tools with reduced vibration and noise levels.
• Keep secure footing and balance when you use tools. The area where you're standing shouldn't be slippery or cluttered.
• Use tools on a stable work surface. Hold the work with a vise or clamps if necessary.
• Use tools in a well-lighted area.
• Avoid awkward positions when using power tools. Some tools are poorly designed and force you to work with unnecessary strain on your wrist, arm, shoulder, or back. Use tools with a better design.
• Make sure you have enough space to work, and can keep your body at a comfortable angle to the work. Adjust the position of the tool, or the orientation of the work surface, to minimize bending your wrist or body, reaching, or twisting.
• Keep tools where they belong. Never leave them on a ladder, scaffold, or overhead work space. Keep them where they won't fall on someone or trip someone.
• Don't use powder-actuated tools unless you have a valid operator's card for the specific tool involved. You need special training.

Keep power tools in a safe condition

• Keep tools clean. Inspect them every day. Check blades, bits, and other cutting parts prior to each use. Make sure they are sharp, and not worn or cracked. Check chucks, collars, and other tool holding parts to make sure they are in good operating condition. Tag tools and take them out of service if there's a problem.
• Make sure tools have guards on their blades, bits, rollers, chains, gears, sprockets, and other dangerous moving parts.
• Never remove guards. Don't tie them back or modify them either.

Avoid shocks from electric power tools

• Make sure tools have a 3-wire cord and are grounded. (Double-insulated tools don't need a ground.)
• Don't remove the third prong (the ground prong) from a plug. If you use an adapter (3-prong plug to 2-hole outlet), make sure it's grounded.
• Check tools and cords daily for cracks, exposed wire, and breaks in the insulation.
• If a tool buzzes, report it immediately and have an electrician check it out. Either the wiring or the tool itself may be defective.
• Don't use ordinary household extension cords. Use 3-wire cords intended for heavy duty. Don't run them near water, other liquids, or metal which can carry current.
• Don't touch any electrical equipment when the equipment is wet, you're wet, you're sweating, or you're standing on a wet surface.

Know what the GFI grounding system is

• A GFI is a ground fault interrupter. It senses ground faults (accidental electrical paths to ground) and cuts off all power in the circuit.
• For example, if there is a short in a power tool, the metal casing can become "live." A GFI will cut off power before you can get a serious shock.
• Most 110-120 volt circuits must have GFIs unless the company has an "assured equipment grounding conductor program." (This is a program where the company does regular testing of the ground on plugs, outlets, cords, and other electrical equipment. Inspection marks are placed on equipment and records are kept.)

Required safety features of certain tools

• Electric circular saw

  • Three-wire plug (with ground)
  • Double-insulated (if applicable)
  • Fixed guard on upper teeth
  • Hinged guard on lower teeth
  • Switch requiring constant contact (spring-loaded trigger, etc.) with hold button
  • Trigger releases with one single motion
  • Blade is in good condition (not cracked or worn) and securely attached.

• Jackhammer

  • Keeper for the bit
  • Hand guards
  • Switch requiring constant contact (spring-loaded trigger, etc.)
  • Single motion release lock
  • Rubber grips to reduce vibration.

Personal protective equipment to be used with most tools

• eye protection (goggles, or safety glasses with side shields)
• gloves
• foot protection (safety shoes or boots).

Personal protective equipment to be used with the Jackhammer

• eye protection (goggles, or safety glasses with side shields)
• special gloves that reduce vibration
• foot protection (steel covering over whole foot, not just toes)
• hearing protection (ear plugs or muffs).

CAL/OSHA REGULATIONS

Most of the safety measures in this page are required by Cal/OSHA. On any construction job, if there has been more than one ergonomic injury within a year to workers doing the same task, the company must take steps to identify and correct these hazards.

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