Ueeneee102 a Portable powertools

Careers Australia

UEENEEE102ATopic 9

Fabricate, dismantle, assemble of utilities industry components

Hazards of Power Tools

All hazards involved in the use of power tools can be prevented by following five basic safety rules:

– Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

– Use the right tool for the job. – Examine each tool for damage

before use. – Operate according to the

manufacturer's instructions. – Provide and use the proper protective equipment.

General Safety Guidelines for Power Tools

The following information offers general safety guidelines for power tools

Individual manufacturers' tool owner/operator manuals, shipped with tools and accessories, are recommended as a final source for proper procedures for specific tool use.


Know the power tool.

– Operators must read and understand the owner's manual.

– Labels affixed or included in the packaging must be read and understood.

Ground all tools unless double insulated. Avoid dangerous environments. Do not use power tools in a damp, wet and/or explosive atmosphere -- fumes, dust or flammable materials.


Be aware of all power lines and electrical circuits, water pipes, and other mechanical hazards in your work area, particularly those below the work surface, hidden from the operator's view, that may be contacted.

Wear proper apparel. Do not wear loose clothing, dangling objects or jewelry. Long hair must be

restrained. Gloves should not be worn

when operating certain power tools.


Power tools can be hazardous when improperly used. There are several types of power tools, based on the power

source they use:

– electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated.

Employees should be trained in the use of all tools - not just power tools. They should understand the potential hazards as well as the safety precautions to prevent those hazards from occurring.

General Safety Guidelines for Power ToolsThe following general precautions should be observed by

power tool users:Never carry a tool by the cord or hose. Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the

receptacle. Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges. Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing, and

when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters.


All observers should be kept at a safe distance away from the work area.

Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.

Avoid accidental starting. Workers should not hold a finger on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.


Tools should be maintained with care. They should be kept sharp and clean for the best performance. Follow instructions in the user's manual for lubricating and changing accessories.

Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance. The proper apparel should be worn. Loose clothing, ties, or

jewelry can become caught in moving parts. All portable electric tools that are damaged shall be removed

from use and tagged "Do Not Use."

General Safety Precautions-Electric Tools

Employees using electric tools must be aware of several dangers; the most serious is the possibility of electrocution.

Among the chief hazards of electric-powered tools are burns and slight shocks which can lead to injuries or even heart failure.


Under certain conditions, even a small amount of current can result in fibrillation of the heart and eventual death.

A shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other elevated work surface.


Electric tools must either have a three-wire cord with ground and be grounded, be double insulated, or be powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer.

Double insulation is more convenient. The user and the tools are protected in two ways: by normal insulation on the wires inside, and by a housing that cannot conduct electricity to the operator in the event of a malfunction.


These general practices should be followed when using electric tools:– Electric tools should be operated within their design limitations. – Gloves, if kept clear of rotating parts, and safety footwear are

recommended during use of electric tools. – When not in use, tools should be stored in a dry place. – Electric tools should not be used in damp or wet locations. – Work areas should be well lighted.

Power Tool Accessories and Attachments

There's a variety of accessories available for use on or with power tools.

Caution must be exercised when selecting and using any accessory with any power tool.

Choosing the wrong accessory or using an accessory incorrectly can result in serious injury.

Angle grinder wire brush attachment with guard removed…

Power Tool Accessories and Attachments

Don't use an accessory or attachment unless: – The power tool manufacturer recommends its use on the product; – The accessory limitations and specifications -- such as speed, size,

mounting and guarding requirements, etc. -- match the limitations and specifications of the power tool as shown in the owner/operator's manual;

– The use of accessory does not require the removal of or defeating of any guards, barriers or other safety-related devices on the power tool, unless they are replaced by other appropriate guards or protective devices.

– Unplug tools before installing, adjusting and changing any accessory or attachment of any kind.

Powered Abrasive Wheel Tools

Powered abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire buffing wheels create special safety problems because they may throw off flying fragments.

Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it should be inspected closely and sound- or ring-tested to be sure that it is free from cracks or defects.

To test, wheels should be tapped gently with a light non-metallic instrument. If they sound cracked or dead, they could fly apart in operation and so must not be used. A sound and undamaged wheel will give a clear metallic tone or "ring."

Failure to Ring Test

• Failure to ring test could result in a disintegrating wheel.

• This could lead to serious injury or death.

• Spindle guard removed for better viewing

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To prevent the wheel from cracking, the user should be sure it fits freely on the spindle.

The spindle nut must be tightened enough to hold the wheel in place, without distorting the flange.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Care must be taken to assure that the spindle wheel will not exceed the abrasive wheel specifications.

Due to the possibility of a wheel disintegrating (exploding) during start-up, the employee should never stand directly in front of the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed.


Portable grinding tools need to be equipped with safety guards to protect workers not only from the moving wheel surface, but also from flying fragments in case of breakage.

In addition, when using a powered grinder:

– Always use eye protection. – Turn off the power when not in use. – Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise.

Portable Drills

Available in a variety of types and capacities, portable power drills are undoubtedly the most used power tools.

Because of their handiness and application to a wide range of jobs, drills often receive heavy use.

For this reason, you'll need to check with care your drill's capacity limitations and accessory recommendations.

Portable Drill Safety Precautions

Check carefully for loose power cord connections and frays or damage to the cord. Replace damaged tool and extension cords immediately.

Be sure the chuck is tightly secured to the spindle. This is especially important on reversible type drills.

Tighten the bit securely as prescribed by the owner/operator's manual.

The chuck key must be removed from the chuck be fore starting the drill. A flying key can be an injury-inflicting missile.

Portable Drill Safety Precautions

Check auxiliary handles, if part of the tool. Be sure they are securely installed. Always use the auxiliary drill handle when provided. It gives you more control of the drill, especially if stalled conditions occur. Grasp the drill firmly by insulated surfaces.

Always hold or brace the tool securely. Brace against stationary objects for maximum control. If drilling in a clockwise -- forward -- direction, brace the drill to prevent a counterclockwise reaction.

Don't force a drill. Apply enough pressure to keep the drill bit cutting smoothly. If the drill slows down, relieve the pressure. Forcing the drill can cause the motor to overheat, damage the bit and reduce operator control.

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Power tool injuries…

Right tool for the right job….?

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Ueeneee102 a Portable powertools