31.4 Safe Hand and Power Tool Practices
31.9 Chain Falls, Hoist & Pullers
31.11 Pneumatic Powered Tools & Equipment
31.12 Powered Stapler & Nailer
31.2 Training #
Hand and Power tool training can be found as an online class in MyLinc and F&O Litmos. Certain tools (i.e. powder-actuated tools) require additional specific training from the manufacturer.
31.3 Storage and Handling #
A hand tool or portable powered tool shall be stored in a manner to prevent damage which would make the tool unsafe for use. A sharp or pointed tool such as a chisel, drill bit or awl, shall be carried and stored in a way that protects workers from any contact with a sharp, or pointed edge and prevents injury.
31.4 Safe Hand and Power Tool Practices #
- Hand and power tools shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed or approved.
- All tools shall be inspected and tested for safe operation before each use, following the manufacturer’s and/or department’s guidelines.
- Operating controls and or guards shall not be removed, modified or otherwise defeated during use.
- Tools with damaged cords or plugs shall be taken out of service, and can only be repaired or replaced by a qualified person.
- If a tool is found defective, it shall be immediately tagged using an “Out of Service, Do Not Use” tag, and removed from service. Defective tools shall be discarded or repaired prior to use.
- Electric-powered tools shall be grounded or a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) shall be used. Double insulated electric-powered tools do not need to be grounded or used with a GFCI.
- Compressed air shall not be used to remove dirt or debris from hands, face or clothing of an employee.
- Cords and hoses shall not be used to raise or lower a tool.
- Tools shall not be modified in a way to initiate unintentional actuation of the equipment.
- Do not tamper with the equipment or bypass safety devices.
- Power tools shall be deenergized (unplugged or battery removed) before servicing, changing blades or making any adjustments.
- Fuel operated tools shall not be started within 10 feet of the place where it was refueled.
- Stationary equipment shall be installed so that the normal operator’s position is not in an aisle or walkway.
- Stationary equipment shall be fastened to a floor, platform or bench to or be equipped with non-slip pads to prevent tipping or inadvertent movement.
31.5 Power Actuated Tools #
Power-actuated tools require equipment specific training that is in accordance with the manufacturer’s training requirements.
• Training shall be provided by the manufacturer or an authorized representative of the manufacturer.
• The operator’s card should be in the operator’s possession at all times while using the tool and be presented upon request or an employer may establish and maintain at the jobsite a list of employees qualified to operate a powder-actuated tool.
• Powder-actuated tools shall be tested prior to each use before loading to confirm the safety devices are working properly.
• The tool shall be housed in a lockable approved case displaying the words “Powder Actuated Tool.” These words shall be kept legible at all times. Additionally, the words “WARNING: Powder actuated tool. To be used only by a qualified operator and to be kept under lock and key when not in use.” Shall appear on the approved case. The tool shall not be left unattended, it shall not be loaded prior to the intended firing time.
31.6 Hand Held Grinder #
- An abrasive wheel shall not be run at a speed that is greater than the rated speed on the wheel
- A guard on a right angle, or hand held grinder, shall have the guard located between the operator and the rotating wheel during use.
- A cup wheel on a portable grinder shall be protected by a band-type or revolving cup guard.
31.7 Bench Pedestal Grinders #
- Bench top or pedestal grinders, shall be equipped with either a work rest or a device that shall prevent the work piece from jamming between the abrasive wheel and the wheel guard.
- A work rest shall be adjusted and maintained to within 1/8 of an inch (0.3175 cm) of the abrasive wheel.
- The distance between the abrasive wheel and the end of the peripheral member at the top shall not exceed 1/4 inch. An adjustable tongue may be used to achieve this dimension.
- Before initial use an abrasive wheel shall be inspected for damage. Prior to mounting, a vitrified or silicate wheel more than 4 inches in diameter shall be given a ring test.
31.8 Jacks #
- Lifting Jacks shall not be the sole means for supporting an object after the object is lifted to the required height.
- An employee shall not place any part of their body under a load that is supported by a jack. The object being lifted shall be immediately secured, cribbed, or blocked appropriately.
- Jacks shall be placed on a flat level surface. A wood block or nonslip device shall be placed between the cap and the load if there is potential for the object to slip from the jack.
- The rated capacity of a jack shall be permanently marked on the jack, remain visible while the jack is in service and shall not be exceeded while in use.
- Jacks shall be equipped with a positive stop to prevent over travel.
- A jack shall be inspected before use for leaks, mechanical defects, and lubrication according to the following requirements:
- Once every six months,
- After repairs or servicing
- Any defective jack shall be tagged and removed from service.
31.9 Chain Falls, Hoist & Pullers #
- The chain fall, hoist or puller’s capacity shall be marked and legible prior to operation. A data plate shall be permanently fixed to the equipment indicating the manufacturer and if available the model and serial numbers.
- Chain falls, hoists or pullers shall be visually inspected for observable defects before each use by the employee operating the equipment.
- A chain fall, hoist or puller shall be used in accordance with the following:
- Not more than its rated capacity.
- Any accessories to the hoisting equipment must be rated at least the same capacity as the primary lifting device.
- The load shall be evaluated prior to lifting, and be able to withstand the lift stresses.
- The chain fall, hoist or puller shall be secured to an anchorage point in a manner in which prevents inadvertent disengagement. When a chain fall or hoist and puller is under tension of a load, a positive action shall be required to release the tension.
- A hoist and puller lever handle shall not be operated with an extension handle, except as furnished by the manufacturer.
31.10 Fueling Powered Tools #
- A fuel-powered tool shall be stopped before being refueled, serviced, or maintained.
- When using a fuel-fired powered tool in an enclosed area:
- First, consider substituting with battery or electric powered equipment. Fuel-powered tools shall not be operated in an enclosed area, unless air monitoring is provided and toxic fumes and vapors are below maximum allowable limits.
- Portable fueling containers shall be an approved safety can with an automatic closing cap and flame arrestor.
- A fuel-fired portable tool shall be moved a minimum of 10 feet from the place where it was refueled before starting.
31.11 Pneumatic Powered Tools & Equipment #
- Safety clips or retainers shall be installed on pneumatic impact tools to prevent dies and tools from being accidentally expelled from the barrel.
- Safety fasteners shall be provided at connections between tools and hose lines and at all quick makeup-type connections to prevent accidental disengagement.
- Pressure shall be shut off by means of a valve and exhausted from lines before disconnecting the lines from tools or connections, except when using a quick makeup coupling.
- A hose shall not be used for hoisting or lowering a pneumatic-powered tool.
- A pneumatic-powered tool that has a hose which has an inside diameter of more than 1/2 of an inch shall have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce the pressure in case of hose failure.
- Hose are to be visually inspected for and cuts fraying, bubbles, scaring, etc. Defective hoses or connections shall be removed from service.
- An airless spray gun that atomizes paint and fluids at a pressure of more than 1,000 pounds per square inch shall be equipped with an automatic or visible manual safety device that prevents the pulling of the trigger to release the paint or fluid until the safety device is manually released.
31.12 Powered Stapler & Nailer #
- A portable powered stapler or nailer shall be designed with a full sequential trigger mechanism preventing unintentional nail discharge and double fires, so that the operator is required to make two separate operations to activate the tool.
- Safety devices and operating controls shall not be made inoperative.
- At the beginning of each shift, a portable powered stapler and nailer shall be tested for safe operation. In the event a defect is identified, the equipment is to be tagged and removed from service.
- A portable powered stapler or nailer shall not be pointed or discharged at other than the work surface. The operator of a portable powered stapler or nailer and those employees within the striking distance of its fastener shall wear eye protection.
- When relieving a jam-up of a fastening device, the source of power shall be disconnected.
31.13 Table Saws #
- A circular table saw shall have a hood type guard covering the blade at all times when not in use. When in use, the hood type guard shall enclose that part of the blade above the table and that part of the blade above the material by adjusting automatically to the thickness of the material being cut, or it may be a fixed or manually adjusted hood-type guard if the hood remains in contact with the material.
- A hood-type guard shall be made of 14-gauge metal or thicker. Plastic may be used if it can resist blows and strains incidental to reasonable operation, adjusting, and handling, and is designed to protect the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth.
31.14 Portable Circular Saws #
- A portable, power driven saw shall have guards above and below the base plate or shoe. The upper guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit the base to be tilted for bevel cuts. The lower guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to allow proper retraction and contact with the work. When the tool is withdrawn from the work, the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to the covering position.
31.15 Radial Arm Saws #
The upper hood of a radial arm saw shall completely enclose the upper portion of the blade down to a point that includes the end of the saw arbor. The upper hood shall be constructed in a manner and of not less than 14-gauge sheet metal or equivalent material that protects the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth and deflects sawdust away from the operator. The sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade shall be guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that automatically adjusts itself to the thickness of the stock and remains in contact with the stock being cut to give the maximum protection possible for the operation being performed.
- Non-kickback fingers or dogs shall be located on both sides of each radial arm saw blade used for ripping to oppose the thrust or tendency of the saw to pick up the material or to throw it back toward the operator. Non-kickback fingers or dogs shall be designed to provide adequate holding power for all thicknesses of material being cut.
- An adjustable stop shall be provided to prevent the forward travel of the blade beyond the position necessary to complete the cut in repetitive operations. A limit chain or other equally effective device shall be provided to prevent the saw blade from sliding beyond the edge of table or the table at that place shall be extended to eliminate overrun.
31.16 Band Saws #
• All portions of the band saw blade shall be enclosed or guarded, except for the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide and the table.
• A band saw wheel shall be fully encased. The outside periphery of the enclosure shall be solid. The top member of the guard should have not less than a 2-inch clearance outside the saw and be lined with smooth material.
• A guard for the portion of the blade between the sliding guide and the upper saw wheel guard shall protect the saw blade at the front and outer side. The guard shall be self-adjusting to raise and lower with the guide. The sliding blade guide shall be kept to within 1/4 inch of the workpiece.
• A band saw shall not be stopped by thrusting a piece of wood against the cutting edge of the teeth when the power is off.
• A horizontal band saw shall have all portions of the saw blade enclosed, except for the working portion of the blade
31.17 Chain Saws #
- A chainsaw chain shall be stopped if it is not being used for sawing.
- It shall not be used for opening holes in solid objects (ex. floor, wall, or panel).
- The controls shall be located so that it can be operated without relinquishing a secure grip on the saw.
- The chain saw shall be guarded from:
- The operator coming in contact with moving parts
- Saw dust being directed towards the operator
- The throttle lever inadvertently being activated
- Chainsaws shall be transported by the top handle with guide bar in the rear
31.18 Stationary Equipment #
- Electrically powered metal and woodworking machines and equipment shall be grounded or double insulated.
- Metal and woodworking machines shall be prevented from automatically restarting upon restoration of power after a power interruption, if such restart would be hazardous.
- Stationary equipment which is set up on a construction project in a temporary stationary position shall have a stop device which is within reach of the operator’s and shall have a power on/off switch.
- Stationary equipment shall be provided with a lockable disconnect switch unless the equipment is connected to the electrical source via cord and plug per Lock out Tag out Procedures.
- A foot control shall be provided with a cover or guard that is capable of preventing accidental activation.
