Osha 10 Hour Construction Hand and Portable Power Tools

Appropriate personal protective equipment
, e.g., safety 
goggles, gloves, etc., should be worn due to hazards that may be 
encountered while using portable power tools and hand tools.
Safety requires that floors be kept as clean and dry as possible to 
prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools.
Around flammable substances, sparks produced by iron and steel 
hand tools can be a dangerous ignition source. Where this hazard 
exists, spark-resistant tools made from brass, plastic, aluminum, or 
wood will provide for safety .
Power Tool Precautions
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.
Hand and Portable Power Tools 
Page 3 

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OSHA 10 Hour Construction 
Power tool users should observe the following general precautions:
•
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. The worker 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."
Guards
Hazardous moving parts of a power tool need to be safeguarded. 
For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, 
drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or 
moving parts of equipment must be guarded if such parts are 
exposed to contact by employees.
Guards, as necessary, should be provided to protect the operator 
and others from the following:
Point of operation, in-running nip points, rotating