Osha 10 Hour Construction Hand and Portable Power Tools

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”. 
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 
manufacturer recommendations. Care must be taken to assure that 
the spindle wheel will not exceed the abrasive wheel specifications. 
Do to the possibility of a wheel disintegrating 9exploding) during 
start up the employee should never stand directly in front of the 
wheel as it accelerates full speed. 
Hand and Portable Power Tools 
Page 6 

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OSHA 10 Hour Construction 
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.
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Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise. Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic Tools 
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include 
chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
There are several dangers encountered in the use of pneumatic 
tools. The main one is the danger of getting hit by one of the tool's 
attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using with 
the tool.
Eye protection is required and face protection is, recommended for 
employees working with pneumatic tools.
Noise is another hazard. Working with noisy tools such as 
jackhammers requires proper, effective use of hearing protection.
When using pneumatic tools, employees must check to see that 
they are fastened securely to the hose to prevent them from 
becoming disconnected. A short wire or positive locking device 
attaching the air hose to the tool will serve as an added safeguard.
A safety clip or retainer must be installed to prevent attachments, 
such as chisels on a chipping hammer, from being unintentionally 
shot from the barrel.
Screens must be set up to protect nearby workers from being 
struck by flying fragments around chippers, riveting guns, staplers, 
or air drills.
Compressed air guns should never be pointed toward anyone. 
Users should never dead-end it against them selves or anyone 
else.