Hand-Held Tool Safety
Key safety rules for common hand tools to prevent injury and ensure safe operation.
Hand-Held Tool Safety
• When using an adjustable wrench on a nut, make sure the adjustable jaw faces you before tightening.
• Use socket wrenches for hard-to-reach places to avoid strain.
• To avoid breaking the teeth of a wrench jaw and making it unsafe for future use, never use a pipe wrench on nuts.
• Do not add more leverage by using a wrench handle extension.
• Always wear safety glasses to protect against flying objects.
• Use the right hammer for the job; carefully inspect it before use.
• When replacing hammer handles, ensure they fit the hammerhead. After wedging head securely into the handle, make sure handle is free of splinters and cracks.
• Use a soft metal hammer or one with a plastic, wood or rawhide head when striking steel surfaces; never strike hardened steel surfaces with a steel hammer.
• Never substitute pliers for another tool such as a wrench.
• Use insulated handgrips if working with electricity and make sure protective coverings are free from cracks or holes.
• If cutting wire with pliers, make sure wire is secure by using a vise (or your foot if a vise is not available).
• Always use safety glasses.
• Use crowbars only for jobs that require prying.
• Clean files with a file card after each use; do not allow file to strike against another piece of metal.
• Keep hand hooks sharp to prevent slipping; store them with the point in cork to reduce the risk of accidents.
• Keep scrapers in sharp condition for best results.
WRENCHES
HAMMERS
PLIERS
OTHER COMMON TOOLS