Portable Power Tools Training Guide
(Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work : A Guide
to Effective Construction Safety Training" series) |
|
Robin Baker, Robert
Downey, Mary Ruth Gross, Charles Reiter
Labor Occupational Health Program
(LOHP) School of Public Health,
University of California, Berkeley Ca.
These tailgate/toolbox
talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The
complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program
at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org)
The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact
ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org). |
Before you begin
the meeting...
- Does this topic
relate to the work the crew is doing? If not, choose another topic.
- Did you read
this Training Guide and fill in the blanks where the
appears? (To find the information you need, look over the Safety Walkaround
Checklist for this topic.)
- Did you bring
two power tools used on the site (for example, a circular saw and a
jackhammer) to use in the tool safety demonstration?
Begin: Most of
us use power tools every day. Generally we don't get hurt. But every year
in California, portable power tools injure almost 1,800 construction workers
seriously enough to keep them off the job.
Working with power
tools, you can get an electric shock, lose a finger, lose an eye, or go
deaf. It's especially dangerous to use a tool that's defective, that's
been modified, or that's not designed for the job. Of course, you can
also get injured if you use any tool carelessly.
Power tools can also
contribute to "ergonomic" injuries. These are injuries to the
muscles, tendons, joints, and nerves. They include strains and sprains,
tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic injuries can happen
right away or develop over time.
You or a crew
member may want to add a personal story about portable power tools.
Next, discuss with the crew what power tools are being used at this particular
job site:
|
___________________________________________________ |
ASK
THE CREW THESE QUESTIONS: |
After each question,
give the crew time to suggest possible answers. Use the information following
each question to add points that no one mentions.
1. We use many
kinds of power tools in construction. They may be air-powered, gasoline-powered,
electric, or hydraulic. What do you think are the most common injuries
from working with these tools?
Electric shock
Falling
Hearing loss
Ergonomic
injuries
|
Flash burns
Eye injuries
Crushing or
losing a body part
|
2. What safety
rules should you keep in mind when you use portable power tools?
- Use the right
tool for the job. Never use a tool for a job it wasn't designed
to do. Make sure you're familiar with your tools and know how to use
them properly.
- Select tools that
fit the hand comfortably, have soft grips that don't cut into your hand,
and are not too heavy.
- Select tools with
reduced vibration and noise levels.
- Keep secure footing
and balance when you use tools. The area where you're standing shouldn't
be slippery or cluttered.
- Use tools on
a stable work surface. Hold the work with a vise or clamps if necessary.
- Use tools in
a well-lighted area.
- Avoid awkward
positions when using power tools. Some tools are poorly designed and
force you to work with unnecessary strain on your wrist, arm, shoulder,
or back. Use tools with a better design.
- Make sure you
have enough work space to work, and can keep your body at a comfortable
angle to the work. Adjust the position of the tool, or the orientation
of the work surface, to minimize bending your wrist or body, reaching,
or twisting.
- Keep tools where
they belong. Never leave them on a ladder, scaffold, or overhead work
space. Keep them where they won't fall on someone or trip someone.
- Don't use
powder-actuated tools unless you have a valid operator's card for
the specific tool involved. You need special training.
3. How do you
make sure your power tools stay in safe condition?
- Keep tools
clean. Inspect them every day. Check blades, bits, and other cutting
parts prior to each use. Make sure they are sharp, and not worn or cracked.
Check chucks, collars, and other tool holding parts to make sure they
are in good operating condition. Tag tools and take them out of service
if there's a problem.
- Make sure tools
have guards on their blades, bits, rollers, chains, gears, sprockets,
and other dangerous moving parts.
- Never remove guards.
Don't tie them back or modify them either.
4. What can you
do to avoid shocks from electric power tools?
- Make sure tools
have a 3-wire cord and are grounded. (Double-insulated tools don't need
a ground.)
- Don't remove
the third prong (the ground prong) from a plug. If you use an adapter
(3- prong plug to 2-hole outlet), make sure it's grounded.
- Check power
tools and cords daily for cracks, exposed wire, and breaks in the insulation.
- If a tool buzzes,
report it immediately and have an electrician check it out. Either the
wiring or the tool itself may be defective.
- Don't use ordinary
household extension cords. Use 3-wire cords intended for heavy duty.
Don't run them near water, other liquids, or metal which can carry current.
- Don't touch any
electrical equipment when the equipment is wet, you're
wet, you're sweating, or you're standing on a wet surface.
5. What is a
GFI grounding system and why is it important?
- A GFI is a ground
fault interrupter. It senses ground faults (accidental electrical paths
to ground) and cuts off all power in the circuit.
- For example,
if there is a short in a power tool, the metal casing can become "live."
A GFI will cut off power before you can get a serious shock.
- Most 110-120 volt
circuits must have GFIs unless the company has an "assured equipment
grounding conductor program.(This is a program where the company does
regular testing of the ground on plugs, outlets, cords, and other electrical
equipment. Inspection marks are placed on equipment and records are
kept.)
|
On
this site, we use: ____GFIs____Grounding conductor program ____
both
|
6. (Show
the two power tools you brought to the meeting, such as a circular saw
and jackhammer. Ask:) What are the required safety features of
these tools?
Demonstrate the
safety features of the tools you have chosen. For example:
Electric circular
saw
- Three-wire plug
(with ground)
- Double-insulated
(if applicable)
- Fixed guard on
upper teeth
- Hinged guard on
lower teeth
- Switch requiring
constant contact (spring-loaded trigger, etc.) with hold button
- Trigger releases
with one single motion
- Blade is in good
condition (not cracked or worn) and securely attached.
Jackhammer
- Keeper for the
bit
- Hand guards
- Switch requiring
constant contact (spring-loaded trigger, etc.)
- Single motion
release lock
- Rubber grips to
reduce vibration.
|
Safety features
of the particular tools you are demonstrating:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
|
7. (With
the same two power tools you have just demonstrated, ask:) What
kind of personal protective equipment should you use when you work with
these tools?
Most tools:
- eye protection
(goggles, or safety glasses with side shields)
- gloves
- foot protection
(safety shoes or boots).
Jackhammers:
- eye protection
(goggles, or safety glasses with side shields)
- special gloves
that reduce vibration
- foot protection
(steel covering over whole foot, not just toes)
- hearing protection
(ear plugs or muffs).
Protective equipment
for the particular tools you are demonstrating:
|
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
|
If you have to use
any of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that we've discussed, the
company is required to supply it and train you in its use.
Explain:
Most of the safety measures we've talked about are required by Cal/OSHA.
We have to take these precautions—it's the law. Also, Cal/OSHA recently
adopted a new ergonomics standard. On any construction job, if there has
been more than one ergonomic injury within a year to workers doing the
same task, the company must take steps to identify and correct these hazards.
We must also provide relevant training. I have a Checklist of the Cal/OSHA
regulations on portable power tools. If you'd like to know more, see me
after the meeting.
(Only if applicable.)
Besides
the Cal/OSHA regulations, we have some additional company rules about
portable power tools.
|
Discuss
company rules: ________________________________________________ |
Ask:
Do you have any other concerns about portable power tools? Do you see
any problems on our job? (Let the steward answer first, if there is
one.)
What about other
jobs you've worked on? Have you had any experience with portable power
tools that might help us work safer on this job?
Date Prepared:_________________________ |
By:____________________ |
Project
Name/No.______________________ |
Location:_______________ |
NAMES
OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED THIS SAFETY MEETING
|
Tailgate
Meetings That Work : Collection
Published in June, 1994 by: Labor Occupational Health Program, School
of Public Health, 2515 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley,
CA 94720. Phone: (510) 642-5507.
Permission is granted to duplicate these materials for non-profit educational
purposes, provided that copies are not offered for sale.
This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author
and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent.
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