Tool Safety
Tool safety
When using power tools or hand tools
When working with power tools you do need to exercise additional safety precautions because inattention can cause a serious injury, like losing a finger (or two). Therefore, whether using a hand tool or power tool the following guidelines should give you an idea as to what safety precautions to follow in order to minimise your risk of being injured.
Wear safety glasses even whether using hand tools or power tools to protect your eyes from dust, and other objects.
Tool Safety Rule # 2
Remove jewellery and rings.
Wear clothes that fit snug against your body
Wear closed in foot wear – boots, joggers with rubber soles
If you have long hair tie it well back behind your head, out of the way of fast moving power tools. A hair net serves this purpose.
Tool Safety Rule # 3
Wear ear protection when using all power tools. Whether you use ear plugs or ear muffs both will reduce the noise of power tools. Most power tools are very loud so you do need to protect your hearing.
Tool Safety Rule # 4
When replacing saw blades, router bits or drill bits make sure you turn off the power and remove the power plug from the wall.
Tool Safety Rule # 5
Use the most appropriate dust mask for the task at hand. Some will require a much finer filter than others. Inhaling dust and other particles is not good for your health.
Tool Safety Rule # 6
If using a drill around the house, use a scanning or sensor device to check for electric cables or water pipes. These devices detect timber studs, metal pipes and wiring and are not that expensive to buy. They are a very handy little device to have.
Tool Safety Rule # 7
Make sure power tools are connected to a power point with an earth leakage breaker or safety switch.
The reason for this is that if the power tool develops a short in its electrical wiring the safety switch is triggered and turns off power to that tool, therefore reducing your risk of receiving an electrical shock.
If you are not sure whether your home is fitted with a safety switch ask your electrician to check and advise you.
You can enjoy many hours of working skilfully and safely using both hand tools and power tools if you adopt basic tool safety precautions as recommended above. Stay safe…
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