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Hand and Power Tools |
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OSHA Standards |
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Hand and power tool hazards are addressed
in specific standards for the general
industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, longshoring, and the
construction industry.
This page highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance
officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of
the standards) related to hand and power tools in the workplace.
Section
5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause,
requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a
place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or
are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section
5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and
health standards promulgated under this Act".
Note:
Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
OSHA-approved
State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement
policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are
identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted
different standards applicable to this topic or may have different
enforcement policies. |
Highlighted Standards
General
Industry (29
CFR 1910)
Shipyard Employment (29
CFR 1915)
Marine Terminals (29
CFR 1917)
Longshoring (29
CFR 1918)
- 1918
Subpart G, Cargo handling gear and equipment other than
ship's gear
Construction Industry (29 CFR
1926)
- 1926 Subpart
I, Tools - hand and power
- 1926.300,
General requirements
- 1926.301,
Hand tools
- 1926.302,
Power-operated hand tools
- 1926.303,
Abrasive wheels and tools
- 1926.304,
Woodworking tools
- 1926.305,
Jacks-lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic
- 1926.306,
Air receivers
- 1926.307,
Mechanical power-transmission apparatus
Directives
- Logging
Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance.
CPL 02-01-019 [CPL 2-1.19], (1995, March 17). Contains inspection and compliance information
for hand and portable powered tools used in logging operations.
- Logging
Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance
Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. CPL
02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (1996, September 27). Clarifies enforcement policies for the logging
operations standard
(29
CFR 1910.266), including paragraph (e) "Hand and portable
power tools".
- Explosive
Actuated Fastening Tools. STD 01-13-002 [STD 1-13.2A],
(1985, December 9). Provides specific
interpretation as to when magazine-fed, explosive power operated
hand tools are considered "loaded".
- 29
CFR 1910.401-1910.441, Subpart T -- Commercial Diving Operations.
STD 01-17-001 [STD 1-23.2], (1978, October 30). Includes guidelines for
29
CFR 1910.422, paragraph
(f), "hand-held power tools and equipment".
- Search all available directives.
Standard Interpretations
- D'AX
wheels are to be guarded as cutting saws. (1998, June 22).
- Use
of insulated hand tools. (1996, July 30).
- Letter
requesting interpretation of the OSHA electrical standards
as they apply to employees using insulated hand tools.
(1996, May 20).
- The
Canadian Standards Association, a nationally recognized testing
laboratory, marking and double insulated tools. (1995,
September 1).
- Certification
of manufactured products intended for use in the workplace.
(1994, December 14).
- All
electric tools need to be tested by a qualified national testing laboratory
and be listed and labeled. (1994, January 28).
- Use
of general protective equipment and tools by employees when
working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts
in the workplace. (1991, December 27).
- Marking
recognition, regulations and policy of double insulated power
tools. (1985, November 8).
- Applicability
of 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) to Portable Pneumatic Powered Fastener
Tools. (1985, March 25).
- Clarification
that a safety device to automatically cut off the flow of compressed
air applies only to pneumatic power tools. (1983,
June 6).
- Pneumatic
tools must be designed and used in accordance with good engineering
practices. (1982, April 8).
- Clarification
of 1910.212 and 1910.242 as applying to hand-type office paper
cutters and sharp edged hand tools. (1976, September
15).
- Search all available standard
interpretations.
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