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Safe Use of Hand Tools and Normal Care of Tools

ScrewdriversHammersPunchesChiselsHacksawsFilesKnivesCrowbarsBox and Socket WrenchesAir HosesPliers

Spanners

1. SCREWDRIVERS

a. A screwdriver is the most commonly used and abused tool. The practice of usingscrewdrivers as punches, wedges, pinch bars, or pry pars shall be discouraged as thispractice dulls blades and causes employee injury.

b. Screwdriver tips shall be selected to fit the screw. Sharp- edged bits will not slip as easilyas ones that are dull. Redress tips to original shape and keep them clean.

c. Always hold work in a vise or lay it on a flat surface to lessen the chance of injury if thescrewdriver should slip.

d. When working near electrical equipment, screwdrivers shall be equipped with insulatedhandles (some also come with insulated blades).

2. HAMMERS

Wooden handles shall be straight grained and free of slivers or splinters. Once split, handlesshall be replaced. Make sure handles are tightly wedged.

a. Never strike a hammer with another hammer.

b. Discard any hammer that shows chips, dents, etc. Redressing is not recommended.

c. Safety glasses shall be worn while using a hammer or any other striking tool.

d. Never use a common nail hammer to strike other metal objects such as cold chisels.

3. PUNCHES

Never use a punch with a mushroomed struck face or with a dull, chipped, or deformed point.Punches that are bent, cracked, or chipped shall be discarded. Safety glasses shall be wornwhile using a punch.

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4. CHISELS

Choose a chisel only large enough for the job so the blade is used, rather than only the pointor corner. Never use chisels with dull blades--the sharper the tool, the better the performance.Chisels that are bent, cracked, or chipped shall be discarded. Re-dress cutting edge or struckend to original contour as needed. When chipping or shearing with a cold chisel, the tool shall

be held at an angle that permits one level of the cutting edge to be flat against the shearingplane.

5. HACKSAWS

a. Hacksaws shall be adjusted and tightened in the frame to prevent buckling and breaking,but shall not be tight enough to break off the pins that support the blade. Install blade withteeth pointing forward.

b. Pressure shall be applied on the forward stroke only. Lift the saw slightly, pulling backlightly in the cut to protect the teeth. Do not bend and twist the blade. Never continue an oldcut with a new blade.

6. FILES

a. Select the right file for the job, making sure that it has a secure handle.

b. Files shall be cleaned only with file-cleaning cards; never by striking. Never use a file as apry or hammer, as chipping and breaking could result in user injury.

c. Grasp the file firmly in one hand and use the thumb and forefinger of the other to guide thepoint.

7. KNIVES

a. Knives cause more disabling injuries than any other hand tool. The hazards are that thehands may slip from the handle onto the blade or that the knife may strike the body or the freehand. Use knives with handle guards if possible. Knives shall be kept sharp and in theirholders, cabinets, or sheaths when not in use; the cutting stroke shall be away from the body.

b. Do not wipe dirty or oily knives on clothing. To clean, the blade shall be wiped with a towelor cloth with the sharp edge turned away from the wiping hand. Horseplay of any kind(throwing, "fencing," etc.) shall be prohibited.

8. CROWBARS

Use the proper kind and size for the job. Never use makeshifts such as pieces of pipe, asthey may slip and cause injury. Crowbars shall have a point or toe of such shape that it willgrip the object to be moved and a heel to act as a pivot or fulcrum. A block of wood under theheel may prevent slippage and help reduce injuries.

9. BOX AND SOCKET WRENCHES

a. The use of box and socket wrenches is indicated where a heavy pull is necessary andsafety is a consideration. Box and socket wrenches completely encircle the nut, bolt or fittingand grip it at all corners as opposed to two corners gripped by an open end wrench. They will

not slip off laterally, and they eliminate the dangers of sprung jaws.

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b. Avoid overloading the capacity of a wrench by using a pipe extension on the handle orstrike the handle of a wrench with a hammer. Hammer abuse weakens the metal of a wrenchand causes the tool to break. Special heavy duty wrenches are available with handles as longas 3'. Where possible, special penetrating oil shall be used to first loosen tight nuts.

10. AIR HOSES

a. Workers shall be warned against disconnecting the air hose from the tool or service pointand using it to clean machines or remove dust from clothing. Air used for cleaning shall notexceed 30 psi and workers shall wear safety glasses at all times when using air hoses.Brushing or vacuuming equipment is recommended for removing dust from clothing.

b. Air shall be shut off before attempting to disconnect the air hose from the air line. Any airpressure inside the line shall be released before disconnecting.

11. PLIERS

Pliers of various types are used by practically every tool user, both amateur and professional.There are many types and sizes, each designed for specific uses, although their versatilitymakes some pliers adaptable for many jobs. Read this article and choose the right pliers forthe job.

Basic safety rules which apply to the use of pliers.

1) Pliers should not be used for cutting hardened wire unless specifically manufactured forthis purpose.

2) Neverexpose pliers to excessive heat. This may change the material properties and ruin

the tool.

3) Always cut at right angles. Neverrock from side to side or bend the wire back and forthagainst the cutting edges.

4) Don't bend stiff wire with light pliers. Using the tips to bend too large a wire can damagelong-nose pliers. Use a sturdier tool.

5) Neveruse pliers as a hammer nor hammer on the handles. They may crack or break, oredges may be nicked by such abuse.

6) Neverextend the length of handles to secure greater leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers.

7) Pliers should not be used on nuts or bolts. A wrench will do the job better and with less riskof damage to the fastener.

8) Oil pliers occasionally. A drop of oil at the joint will lengthen tool life and assure easyoperation.

9) Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when cutting wire, etc. to protect eyes.

10) Neverattempt to cut a HOT wire.

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12. Spanners and Wrenches - the various types

Spanners come in all shapes and sizes, many being developed to deal with a specific job. Byfar the most important consideration when using a spanner is to ensure that it fits the nutperfectly. Too loose, and it will round the comers of the nut - and slip, often damaging the nut.Spanner and your hand. When purchasing spanners, select good quality tools. The best

types are forged from carbon steel or chrome vanadium, if not abused, these will last alifetime.

Open ended - 'C' spanner

The open ended spanner is the most common type, and may have a single or double end.The head has its jaws offset by about 15 degrees from the run of the shaft. This is so thespanner can be turned over to engage different flats of a nut when working in confinedspaces. Another version, called an obstruction spanner, is designed for use in confinedspaces. It has one head set at anything up to 90 degrees to the shaft, and the shaft may havea slight curve.

Ring spanner

As the name implies, the ring spanner usually has a completely enclosed head, and mayhave six or 12 flats. A 12 flat spanner engages upon the corners of the nut and can engageboth hexagon and square bolts. A six flat spanner is normally shaped to fit against all 6 sidesof hexagon nuts, this ensures a very tight fit and can allow considerable force to be applied.Ring spanners are stronger than the open ended type, but it does need access to fit it overthe nut and can take a little time to locate it correctly.

Adjustable Spanners

The obvious advantage of an adjustable spanner is that it will cope with a whole range of nutsizes, within the capacity of the jaws. The most common version has its jaws set at an angleof 15 degrees to the shaft, but other angles are available, including a 90 degree version.When in use, it is important to adjust the jaws so that the spanner is a good fit on the nut. Usethe spanner so the main strain is taken by the solid section of the head rather then the

adjustable part. Another common version of this type is the Monkey Wrench.

Allen key

This is a simple hexagonal shaped rod with a right-angle bend designed to engage into thehead of a screw which has a hexagonal shaped recess in the head - this Is a very commonscrew found in many moderndomestic appliances. Allen keys areavailable in sets of metric and imperialsizes.

Pipe wrenches

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Although they resemble adjustable spanners, the basic difference is that the jaws of a wrenchare serrated, enabling them to grip and turn objects such as lengths of pipe. The wrenchshould never be used on good nuts as the jaws can cause damage to the flats.

Mole Wrench

The mole is a self gripping wrench whichcan be adjusted to grip various diameters of pipe. The width of the jaws is adjusted by theknurled screw on the rear of the main handle and the tool is just then 'squeezed' onto thepipe. The wrench incorporates a quick release lever so that the wrench can be easilyreleased after use.

Care of Spanners

Always ensure that a spanner fits the flats on a nut perfectly. A loose fit will damage

the nut and cause slipping.

Where a nut is very tight, ensure your hand has a clear area of movement. The

sudden release of a nut under pressure can lend to grazed knuckles.

If a nut won't move, apply penetrating oil and allow time for it to act. The same applies

to rusted nuts but wire brush it first..

When working on chrome items, like taps, protect the metal with scraps of leatherbetween the metal jaws. Never use pipe wrenches with serrated jaws.

Safe Use of Hand Tools and Normal Care of Tools

NOYESQUESTIONSS#The practice of using screwdrivers as punches, wedges, pinch

bars, or pry pars shall be discouraged as this practice dullsblades and causes employee injury.

1

When working near electrical equipment, screwdrivers shall be2

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equipped with insulated handles (some also come with insulatedblades.(

Discard any hammer that shows chips, dents, etc. Redressing isnot recommended.

3

Safety glasses shall be worn while using a hammer or any otherstriking tool.

4

Always hold work in a vise or lay it on a flat surface to lessen thechance of injury if the screwdriver should slip.

5

Never use a file as a pry or hammer, as chipping and breakingcould result in user injury.

6

Grasp the file firmly in one hand and use the thumb andforefinger of the other to guide the point.

7

Knives cause more disabling injuries than any other hand tool.The hazards are that the hands may slip from the handle ontothe blade or that the knife may strike the body or the free hand.

8

Never use makeshifts such as pieces of pipe, as they may slipand cause injury.

9

Workers shall be warned against disconnecting the air hosefrom the tool or service point

10

Air shall be shut off before attempting to disconnect the air hosefrom the air line.

11

Any air pressure inside the line shall be released beforedisconnecting the air hose.

12

Pliers should not be used on nuts or bolts. A wrench will do thejob better and with less risk of damage to the fastener.

13

Always ensure that a spanner fits the flats on a nut perfectly. Aloose fit will damage the nut and cause slipping.

14

If a nut won't move, apply penetrating oil and allow time for it toact. The same applies to rusted nuts but wire brush it first.

15

Avoid overloading the capacity of a wrench by using a pipeextension on the handle or strike the handle of a wrench with a

hammer.

16

Never use pipe wrenches with serrated jaws.17