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6laminate trimmers, nibblers, shears, and scroll sa ws; and jigsaws,saber and scroll saws with blade shanks a nominal 1/4-inch (6.35millimeters) or less in diameter. It is recommended that the constant-pressure control switch be re garded as the preferred de vice.Other hand-held power tools such as circular saws ha ving a bladediameter greater than 2 inches (5.08 centimeters), chain sa ws, andpercussion tools with no means of holding accessories securelymust be equipped with a constant-pressure switch.Electric ToolsEmployees using electric tools must be aw are of several dangers.Among the most serious hazards are electrical b urns and shocks.Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart f ailureand burns, are among the major hazards associated with electricpowered tools. Under certain conditions, e ven a small amount ofelectric current can result in f ibrillation of the heart and death. Anelectric shock also can cause the user to f all off a ladder or otherelevated work surface and be injured due to the f all.To protect the user from shock and b urns, electric tools musthave a three-wire cord with a ground and be plugged into agrounded receptacle, be double insulated, or be po wered by a lowvoltage isolation transformer. Three-wire cords contain two currentcarrying conductors and a grounding conductor . Any time anadapter is used to accommodate a two-hole receptacle, the adapterwire must be attached to a kno wn ground. The third prong mustnever be removed from the plug.Double-insulated tools are a vailable that provide protectionagainst electrical shock without third-wire grounding. On doubleinsulated tools, an internal layer of protecti ve insulation completelyisolates the external housing of the tool.The following general practices should be follo wed when usingelectric tools: Operate electric tools within their design limitations. Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when usingelectric tools. Store electric tools in a dry place when not in use.Hand and Power Tools

7 Do not use electric tools in damp or wet locations unless the yare approved for that purpose. Keep work areas well lighted when operating electric tools. Ensure that cords from electric tools do not present a trippinghazard.In the construction industry, employees who use electric toolsmust be protected by ground-f ault circuit interrupters or an assuredequipment-grounding conductor program.Portable Abrasive Wheel ToolsPortable abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire b uffingwheels create special safety problems because the y may throw offflying fragments. Abrasive wheel tools must be equipped withguards that: (1) co ver the spindle end, nut, and flange projections;(2) maintain proper alignment with the wheel; and (3) do notexceed the strength of the f astenings.Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it must be inspectedclosely for damage and should be sound- or ring-tested to ensurethat it is free from cracks or defects. To test, wheels should betapped gently with a light, non-metallic instrument. If the wheelssound cracked or dead, the y must not be used because the y couldfly apart in operation. A stable and undamaged wheel, whentapped, will give a clear metallic tone or “ring. ”To prevent an abrasive wheel from cracking, it must f it freely onthe spindle. The spindle nut must be tightened enough to hold thewheel in place without distorting the flange. Always follow themanufacturer’s recommendations. Take care to ensure that thespindle speed of the machine will not e xceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel.An abrasive wheel may disintegrate or explode during start-up.Allow the tool to come up to operating speed prior to grinding orcutting. The employee should never stand in the plane of rotationof the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed . Portablegrinding tools need to be equipped with safety guards to protectworkers not only from the mo ving wheel surface, but also fromflying fragments in case of wheel breakage.What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

IIWhen using a powered grinder: Always use eye or face protection. Turn off the power when not in use. Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise.PneumaticToolsPneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and includechippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.There are several dangers associated with the use of pneumatictools. First and foremost is the danger of getting hit by one of thetool's attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is usingwith the tool.Pneumatic tools must be checked to see that the tools are fas tened securely to the air hose to prevent them from becomingdisconnected. A short wire or positive locking device attaching theair hose to the tool must also be used and will serve as an addedsafeguard.If an air hose is more than ½-inch (12.7 millimeters) in diameter,a safety excess flow valve must be installed at the source of the airsupply to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.In general, the same precautions should be taken with an air hosethat are recommended for electric cords, because the hose is subjectto the same kind of damage or accidental striking, and because italso presents tripping hazards.When using pneumatic tools, a safety clip or retainer must beinstalled to prevent attachments such as chisels on a chippinghammer from being ejected during tool operation.Pneumatic tools that shoot nails, rivets, staples, or similar fasten ers and operate at pressures more than 100 pounds per square inchmust be equipped with a special device to keep fasteners from beingejected, unless the muzzle is pressed against the work surface.Airless spray guns that atomize paints and fluids at pressures of1,000 pounds or more per square inch (6,890 kPa) must be equippedwith automatic or visible manual safety devices that will preventpulling the trigger until the safety device is manually released.HandandPowerTools

9Eye protection is required, and head and f ace protection isrecommended for employees w orking with pneumatic tools.Screens must also be set up to protect nearby w orkers from beingstruck by flying fragments around chippers, ri veting guns, staplers,or air drills.Compressed air guns should ne ver be pointed toward anyone.Workers should never “dead-end” them against themselves oranyone else. A chip guard must be used when compressed air isused for cleaning.Use of heavy jackhammers can cause fatigue and strains. Hea vyrubber grips reduce these ef fects by providing a secure handhold.Workers operating a jackhammer must wear safety glasses andsafety shoes that protect them against injury if the jackhammer slipsor falls. A face shield also should be used.Noise is another hazard associated with pneumatic tools. Working with noisy tools such as jackhammers requires proper , effectiveuse of appropriate hearing protection.Liquid Fuel ToolsFuel-powered tools are usually operated with gasoline. The mostserious hazard associated with the use of fuel-po wered tools comesfrom fuel vapors that can burn or explode and also give off dangerous exhaust fumes. The worker must be careful to handle, transport, and store gas or fuel only in appro ved flammable liquidcontainers, according to proper procedures for flammable liquids.Before refilling a fuel-powered tool tank, the user must shutdown the engine and allo w it to cool to pre vent accidental ignitionof hazardous vapors. When a fuel-powered tool is used inside aclosed area, effective ventilation and/or proper respirators such asatmosphere-supplying respirators must be utilized to a void breathing carbon monoxide. Fire e xtinguishers must also be a vailable inthe area.Powder-Actuated ToolsPowder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and must betreated with extreme caution. In f act, they are so dangerous thatthey must be operated only by specially trained emplo yees.What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

10When using powder-actuated tools, an employee must wearsuitable ear, eye, and face protection. The user must select apowder level—high or low velocity—that is appropriate for thepowder-actuated tool and necessary to do the w ork without excessive force.The muzzle end of the tool must ha ve a protective shield orguard centered perpendicular to and concentric with the barrel toconfine any fragments or particles that are projected when the toolis fired. A tool containing a high-v elocity load must be designednot to fire unless it has this kind of safety de vice.To prevent the tool from f iring accidentally, two separate motionsare required for firing. The first motion is to bring the tool into thefiring position, and the second motion is to pull the trigger . Thetool must not be able to operate until it is pressed against the w orksurface with a force of at least 5 pounds (2.2 kg) greater than thetotal weight of the tool.If a powder-actuated tool misfires, the user must hold the tool inthe operating position for at least 30 seconds before trying to f ire itagain. If it still will not f ire, the user must hold the tool in theoperating position for another 30 seconds and then carefully remo vethe load in accordance with the manuf acturer’s instructions. Thisprocedure will make the faulty cartridge less lik ely to explode. Thebad cartridge should then be put in w ater immediately after removal. If the tool de velops a defect during use, it should be taggedand must be taken out of service immediately until it is properlyrepaired.Safety precautions that must be follo wed when using powderactuated tools include the follo wing: Do not use a tool in an e xplosive or flammable atmosphere. Inspect the tool before using it to determine that it is clean,that all moving parts operate freely, and that the barrel is freefrom obstructions and has the proper shield, guard, andattachments recommended by the manufacturer . Do not load the tool unless it is to be used immediately . Do not leave a loaded tool unattended, especially where itwould be available to unauthorized persons. Keep hands clear of the barrel end. Never point the tool at an yone.Hand and Power Tools

11When using powder-actuated tools to apply fasteners, se veraladditional procedures must be follo wed: Do not fire fasteners into material that w ould allow the fasteners to pass through to the other side. Do not drive fasteners into very hard or brittle material thatmight chip or splatter or mak e the fasteners ricochet. Always use an alignment guide when shooting f asteners intoexisting holes. When using a high-velocity tool, do not dri ve fasteners morethan 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) from an unsupported edge orcorner of material such as brick or concrete. When using a high v elocity tool, do not place f asteners insteel any closer than 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) from anunsupported corner edge unless a special guard, f ixture, or jigis used.Hydraulic Power ToolsThe fluid used in h ydraulic power tools must be an appro ved fireresistant fluid and must retain its operating characteristics at themost extreme temperatures to which it will be e xposed. Theexception to fire-resistant fluid involves all hydraulic fluids used forthe insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts, and h ydraulictools that are used on or around ener gized lines. This hydraulicfluid shall be of the insulating type.The manufacturer’s recommended safe operating pressure forhoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings must not be e xceeded.All jacks—including lever and ratchet jacks, scre w jacks, andhydraulic jacks—must have a stop indicator, and the stop limit mustnot be exceeded. Also, the manufacturer’s load limit must bepermanently marked in a prominent place on the jack, and the loadlimit must not be e xceeded.A jack should never be used to support a lifted load. Once theload has been lifted, it must immediately be blocked up. Put a blockunder the base of the jack when the foundation is not f irm, and placea block between the jack cap and load if the cap might slip.What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

12To set up a jack, mak e certain of the follo wing: The base of the jack rests on a f irm, level surface; The jack is correctly centered; The jack head bears against a le vel surface; and The lift force is applied e venly.Proper maintenance of jacks is essential for safety . All jacksmust be lubricated regularly. In addition, each jack must be inspected according to the follo wing schedule: (1) for jacks usedcontinuously or intermittently at one site—inspected at least onceevery 6 months, (2) for jacks sent out of the shop for special work—inspected when sent out and inspected when returned, and (3) forjacks subjected to abnormal loads or shock—inspected before useand immediately thereafter.Hand and Power Tools

What Help Can OSHA Provide?13OSHA can provide extensive help through a v ariety of programs,including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans,workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strate gicpartnerships, training and education, and more.Safety and Health Program Management GuidelinesWorking in a safe and healthful en vironment can stimulateinnovation and creativity and result in increased performance andhigher productivity.To assist employers and employees in de veloping effective safetyand health management systems, OSHA published recommendedSafety and Health Program Management Guidelines (FederalRegister 54(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntaryguidelines can be applied to all places of emplo yment covered byOSHA.The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical tothe development of a successful safety and health managementsystem. These are the following: Management leadership and emplo yee involvement, Worksite analysis, Hazard prevention and control, and Safety and health training.The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of thesegeneral elements, to achieve an effective safety and health management system. The Federal Register notice is available online atwww.osha.gov.State ProgramsThe Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)encourages states to develop and operate their o wn job safety andhealth plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. There arecurrently 26 state plans: 23 co ver both private and public (state andlocal government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, Ne w Jersey,and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territorieswith their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plansWhat Help Can OSHA Provide?

14must adopt and enforce standards identical to, or at least as ef fectiveas, the federal standards and pro vide extensive programs of voluntary compliance and technical assistance, including consultationservices.Consultation ServicesConsultation assistance is available on request to emplo yers whowant help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthfulworkplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is pro vided at nocost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employerswith more hazardous operations, the consultation service is deli vered by state go vernments employing professional safety and healthconsultants. Comprehensive assistance includes a hazard surv ey ofthe worksite and appraisal of all aspects of the emplo yer’s existingsafety and health management system. In addition, the serviceoffers assistance to employers in de veloping and implementing aneffective safety and health management system. No penalties areproposed or citations issued for hazards identif ied by the consultant.The employer’s only obligation is to correct all identif ied serioushazards within the agreed upon correction timeframe. OSHAprovides consultation assistance to the emplo yer with the assurancethat his or her name and f irm and any information about the w orkplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staf f.Under the consultation program, certain e xemplary employersmay request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation inSHARP includes, but is not limited to, recei ving a full-service,comprehensive consultation visit, correcting all identif ied hazards,and developing an effective safety and health program managementsystem.Employers accepted into SHARP may recei ve an exemption fromprogrammed inspections (not complaint or accident in vestigationinspections) for a period of 1 year initially , or 2 years upon rene wal.For more information concerning consultation assistance, see thelist of consultation projects listed at the end of this publication.Hand and Power Tools

15Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)Voluntary Protection Programs and onsite consultation services,when coupled with an ef fective enforcement program, expandworker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The threelevels of VPP—Star, Merit, and Demonstration—are designed torecognize outstanding achievements by companies that ha ve developed and implemented ef fective safety and health managementsystems. The VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety andhealth results in the same outstanding w ay as they establish acooperative relationship between emplo yers, employees, and OSHA.For additional information on VPPs and how to apply, contact theOSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.Strategic Partnership ProgramOSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member ofOSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist, and recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious w orkplace hazardsand achieve a high level of worker safety and health. WhereasOSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one relationships between OSHA and indi vidual worksites, most strategicpartnerships seek to have a broader impact by b uilding cooperativerelationships with groups of emplo yers and employees. Thesepartnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA,employers, employee representatives, and others such as tradeunions, trade and professional associations, uni versities, and othergovernment agencies.For more information on this program, contact your nearestOSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.Training and EducationOSHA’s area offices offer a variety of information services, suchas compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audio visualaids, and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s TrainingInstitute in Des Plaines, IL, pro vides basic and advanced courses insafety and health for federal and state compliance of ficers, st

Power tools must be fitted with guards and safety switches; they are extremely hazardous when used improperly. The types of power tools are determined by their power source: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated. To prevent hazards