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Articles Hand Power Tool Safety

Hand Power Tool Safety

Principal Author / Publisher:Safetyhow Admin
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Are you a do-it-yourselfer that just received a set of power tools for your birthday? A newlywed whose spouse just won't stop demanding a new spice rack? Maybe you're a carpenter's apprentice looking for some quick tips before you are subjected to the joys of on-the-job training. Whatever your reason, knowing hand power tool safety tips is a good idea. No one wants to learn the hard way, especially when the hard way includes losing a finger, or injuring a wrist.

Eye Protection

Safety glasses are essential when using power tools. Whether you are using a drill, a saw, or a grinding wheel, safety glasses will protect your sight from snapped drill bits, flak from circular saws, or glowing sparks of a grinding wheel. Always wear proper eye protection. Your power tool's owners manual should provide further information on what eyewear is appropriate. As a sub-note, while you should wear safety glasses, you should not wear jewelry, ties, sweatshirts with tangling strings, or anything else that might get caught in your drill or saw.

Focus

Always be mindful when using a power tool. Tools do not think. They do not know the difference between the material they are intended to cut, and whatever flesh you might absent-mindedly place in their way. Do not distract a person who is using a power tool, and try to limit the chances of being distracted when you are using a power tool.

Inspect Your Tool

Drill bits and blades wear out over time. A dull drill bit or blade will not only be more difficult to use properly, it can also be much more dangerous. Be sure your bits and blades are properly sharpened before you use the tool. Be sure the bit or blade is firmly set or attached to the tool. Check for any loose or exposed wiring if the tool is corded, as this can cause the tool to arc or burn out completely while in use. Using power tools should never be a shocking experience.

Inspect Your Material

If you are drilling or cutting into something, be sure of what is on the other side. Drilling or cutting into electrical wires can be a shocking experience. If you hit a water line, then your project can become a disaster. If it passes through the material and into your fingers holding it from the backside, you've turned your project into a field trip to the emergency room. Check first and make sure there is nothing to cut or drill that you would not want damaged. Then check to see if there are stray nails or staples that a saw might strike and bind on. Some hand power tools are designed to cut through wood and metal alike. Most are not.

Know Your Strength

Hand power tools are...well, powerful. If a drill binds in the material you are drilling, the torque can be enough to injure even a strong man's wrist. Be sure you are properly braced and balanced to wield the tool. Do not force the tool to drill or cut faster. A constant, moderate pressure should be more than adequate for the tool to function properly. If you are forcing a tool, you are using it improperly and that will always lead to dangerous situations.



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