Users seeking more power, dependability, must attend to safety, too.

TODAY’S POWER TOOLS offer more power, adaptability and dependability than ever before, and as the maintenance function in commercial and institutional facilities becomes more challenging, that’s a welcome evolution.
But along with enhanced tool performance comes the responsibility to address power-tool safety issues.

Maintenance management professionals and technicians responsible for specifying and using power tools have a responsibility to check out a tool’s safety features, then ensure that manufacturer safety precautions and common sense are followed at all times.

The following information offers general safety guidelines for power tools, as well as guidelines for specific tools. They are not meant to be, nor should they be, considered an absolute or complete presentation of safety measures and procedures that relate to use of power tools covered. Individual manufacturers’ tool owner/operator manuals, shipped with tools and accessories, are recommended as a final source for proper procedures for specific tool use.

General safety recommendations

• Know the power tool. Operators must read and understand the owner’s manual. That means know tool applications and limitations. Labels affixed or included in the shipping container must be read and understood.
• Ground all tools unless double insulated. Where a tool is equipped with a three-prong plug, it must be plugged into a three hole electric receptacle known to be grounded. If an adapter is used to accommodate a two-hole receptacle, attach the adapter with a screw to a known ground.
• Avoid dangerous environments. Do not use power tools in a damp, wet and/or explosive atmosphere — fumes, dust or flammable materials.
• Be aware of all power lines and electrical circuits, water pipes, and other mechanical hazards in your work area, particularly those below the work surface, hidden from the operator’s view, that may be contacted.
• Wear proper apparel. Do not wear loose clothing, dangling objects or jewelry. Long hair must be restrained. Gloves should not be worn when operating certain power tools. Check appropriate tool manuals.

Accessories and attachments

There’s a variety of accessories available for use on or with power tools. Caution must be exercised when selecting and using any accessory with any power tool. Choosing the wrong accessory or using an accessory incorrectly can result in serious injury. Don’t use an accessory or attachment unless:

• The power tool manufacturer recommends its use on the product;
• The accessory limitations and specifications — such as speed, size, mounting and guarding requirements, etc. — match the limitations and specifications of the power tool as shown in the owner/operator’s manual; and,
• The use of accessory does not require the removal of or defeating of any guards, barriers or other safety-related devices on the power tool, unless they are replaced by other appropriate guards or protective devices.

Also, unplug tools before installing, adjusting and changing any accessory or attachment of any kind.

Portable circular saws

Among professionals, the circular saw is probably the most commonly used power saw and_perhaps the most commonly abused. Familiarity should not breed carelessness. The following are specific safety musts when using any portable circular saws.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields complying with the current national standard and a full face shield when needed. Use a dust mask in dusty work conditions. Wear hearing protection during extended periods of operation.
• Don’t wear loose clothing, jewelry or dangling objects, including long hair, that may catch in rotating parts or accessories.
• Don’t use a circular saw that is too heavy for you to easily control.
• Be sure the switch actuates properly. It should turn the tool on and return to the off position after release.
• Use sharp blades. Dull blades cause binding, stalling and possible kickback. They also waste power and reduce motor and switch life.
• Use the correct blade for the application. Check this carefully. Does it have the proper size and shape arbor hole? Is the speed marked on the blade at lease as high as the no-load RPM on the saw’s nameplate?
• Is the blade guard working? Check for proper operation before each cut. Check often to ensure that guards return to their normal position quickly. If a guard seems slow to return or hangs up, repair or adjust it immediately. Never defeat the guard to expose the blade by, for example, tying it back or removing it.
• Before starting a circular saw, be sure the power cord and extension cord are out of the blade path and are long enough to freely complete the cut. Keep aware of the cord location. A sudden jerk or pulling on the cord can cause loss of control of the saw and a serious accident.
• For maximum control, hold the saw firmly with both hands after securing the workpiece. Clamp work pieces. Check frequently to be sure clamps remain secure.
• Avoid cutting small pieces that can’t be properly secured and material on which the saw shoe can’t properly rest.
• When start the saw, allow the blade to reach full speed before contacting the workpiece.
• When making a partial cut, or if power is interrupted, release the trigger immediately and don’t remove the saw until the blade has come to a complete stop.

Portable drills

Available in a variety of types and capacities, portable power drills are undoubtedly the most used power tools. Because of their handiness and application to a wide range of jobs. Drills often receive heavy use. For this reason, you’ll need to check with care your drill’s capacity limitations and accessory recommendations. For example:

• Check carefully for loose power cord connections and frays or damage to the cord. Replace damaged tool and extension cords immediately.
• Be sure the chuck is tightly secured to the spindle. This is especially important on reversible type
• Tighten the bit securely as prescribed by the owner/operator’s manual. The chuck key must be removed from the chuck before starting the drill. A flying key can be an injury-inflicting missile.
• Check auxiliary handles, if part of the tool. Be sure they are securely installed. Always use the auxiliary drill handle when provided. It gives you more control of the drill, especially if stalled conditions occur. Grasp the drill firmly by insulated surfaces.
• Always hold or brace the tool securely. Brace against stationary objects for maximum control. If drilling in a clockwise — forward — direction, brace the drill to prevent a counterclockwise reaction.
• Don’t force a drill. Apply enough pressure to keep the drill bit cutting smoothly. If the drill slows down, relieve the pressure. Forcing the drill can cause the motor to overheat, damage the bit and reduce operator control.

Sanders

Sanding is often a prolonged operation, so to make sure that the working environment is correct. Consider these safety points:

• Stationary sanders may incorporate belt and disc sanding features. Portable sanders are normally single-feature sanders - disc, pad or belt. Use caution and be alert to avoid injuries that result from contacting the sanding medium or other moving parts.
• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields complying with the current national standard and a full face shield when needed. Use a dust mask in dusty work areas. Sanding dust may affect your breathing and overcome you if you are not protected against it, particularly when working with many of the exotic hardwoods.
• Adequate ventilation of your work area is very important when using any type of sander. The use of exhaust type systems or bag collection is also recommended. Dust can explode if the concentration becomes too great.

Miter box saws and chop saws

• Because or the saw’s downward cutting motion, stay alert to keeping hands and fingers away from the blade’s path.
• Be sure all guards are in place and working. If a guard seems slow to return to its normal position, adjust or repair it immediately.
• Use only recommended size and RPM rated blades.
• When installing or changing a blade, be sure the blade and related washers and fasteners are correctly positioned and secured on the saw arbor.

Cordless Power Tools

Cordless tools get their power from batteries. They demand the same respect that corded tools receive. These electrical power source and cord recommendations do not apply to cordless fools themselves but do apply to their chargers. If a cordless tool is connected to its recharge unit, both pieces of equipment must conform strictly with electrical recommendations in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

• Perform charging in a dry location, away from combustible materials.
• If the battery of the tool no longer charges properly with its specified recharge unit, return the tool and the charger to your distributor service center as listed in the Yellow Pages or your tool’s instruction manual.
• Do not operate cordless tools in or near flammable liquids or in gaseous or explosive atmospheres. Motors in these tools normally spark and the sparks may ignite fumes.
• Always recharge a cordless tool and its battery with its own specified charging unit. Never attempt to recharge a cordless tool in a recharging unit not specifically recommended for that tool or battery pack by the manufacturer.
• Be aware that a cordless tool can always be in an operating condition because it does not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Unless batteries are removed, the tool can function any time the switch is on.
• Do not expose the battery cartridge to moisture, host or temperature extremes over 100o C or under -20o C.