Hand & Power Tool Safety

Hand and power tools are a common part of our everyday lives and are present in nearly every industry. These tools help us to easily perform tasks that otherwise would be difficult or impossible. However, these simple tools can be hazardous and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Special attention toward hand and power tool safety is necessary in order to reduce or eliminate these hazards.

Power tools are so common, that many workers think they know just about everything there is to know about handling them properly and safely. But, if you look into the accident statistics, they reveal something quite different; power tools are often involved in some of the most serious accidents involving cuts, amputations, impaled objects and eye injures. In reality, every time you turn on a power tool, an accident is waiting to happen. You may have been lucky up until this point, but only by being smart with power tools in the future can you avoid becoming a workplace injury.

Use the Right Tool for the Job 

Using the correct tool for the job is the first step in safe hand tool use. Tools are designed for specific needs. That’s why you’ll find screwdrivers with various lengths and tip styles and pliers with different head shapes. Using any tool inappropriately is a step in the wrong direction. To avoid personal injury and tool damage, select the proper tool to do the job safely.

Quality professional hand tools will last many years if they are taken care of and treated with respect. Manufacturers design tools for specific applications. If you use your screwdriver as a chisel or a pry bar, you can’t expect it to be in good shape when you actually need to drive a screw. Use tools only for their intended purpose.