Hand & Power Tools

Tools of the Trade – Used to Help, Not to Harm

Employees who use hand or power tools are routinely exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors or gases. With an incidence rate of 7 cases per 10,000 incidents and an average of 4 days spent away from work attributed to cuts or lacerations on the job promote just how important the utmost in safe operations are while using hand or power tools.

Hand and power tools are used in most industries by untold amounts of employees. Employers have a duty to provide a safety plan to guide employees when working with these hand or power tools. We’ve outlined some areas below to pay special attention to!

• [1926.300] – Safety Precautions and General Requirements (Including: [1926.300(b)] – Guards and [1926.300(d)] – Safety Switches)‍
• [1926.301] – Hand Tools
• [1926.302] – Power-Operated Hand Tools (Including: [1926.302(a)] – Electric Tools, [1926.302(b)] – Pneumatic Tools, and [1926.302(e)] – Explosive-Actuated Tools)‍
• [1926.303] – Powered Abrasive Wheel Tools
• [1926.305] – Hydraulic Power Tools, Rachets, and Jacks

Do the Hand and Power Tool guidelines apply to me?

More than likely.  Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) employers are responsible for protecting their employees from a hazardous working environment.

More from OSHA's website:

Hand and Power Tools (29 CFR 1926.300) guidelines are a guide that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against hazards related to hand and power tools. It guides employers on responsibilities, PPE, training, and record keeping for employees in an environment where they would be affected.