Page 322 - IGC BOOK

Hand Tools and Portable Power Tools 6.2

Hazards from Handheld Tools

• Handheld tools may pose risk of injury during use or
while misusing the equipment or accidental or failure of
equipment.
• Accidental event for e.g. hammer striking the thumb
finger while nailing.
• Misuse – using wrong tool for the job for e.g. using a
knife as a screwdriver, the knife may slip off causing a cut
injury.
• Failure – the loose hammer head may fly off and strike
another person nearby.
• Defective tool – require more physical force.

Precautions that can be applied for safe use of hand tools

• Select the tool appropriate for the task for example, using screw drive to remove screw, not a
knife to remove a screw.

• Select the tool suitable for the environment.

• The operator must carry out a visible inspection prior to use the tool.
• Tools should be maintained in good condition

• Defective tools must be removed or discarded.
• Provide information, instruction, and training.

• Ensure a safe system of work is developed and communicated to all the users, emphasis
monitoring to ensure all the users follow safe system of work.

• Provide suitable personal protective equipment – gloves, goggles, face shields etc.,

Hazards and Controls from Portable Power Tools

When portable power tools are used in the workplace it
creates serious hazards to the users and others. Power
tools can be hazardous when incorrectly used. There are
several types of power tools, based on the power source
they use: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, and
powder actuated.

Power tools has the potential to create severe injury when
compared to handheld tools. The reason behind is the
power source makes the equipment to run at higher
speed, failure of power tool shall come in to contact with worker either accidently or through

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 9 – Work 6
Equipment