Power Tool Safety
Ever increasing numbers of people are using power tools around the home and for renovation projects, due to their compact design, ease of use and affordability.
This invariably means more tools are in the hands of inexperienced users and this is when safety precautions become even more important. All tools should be handled with safety first in mind because they can be dangerous when used incorrectly or in the wrong circumstances.
Every year in the USA alone, hundreds of thousands of accidents involving portable power tools will injure, maim and even kill many people in the workplace and around the home. Injuries vary from electric shock to losing a limb or an eye, receiving deep cuts and slices, or going deaf.
Simple precautions would reduce the number and the severity of these accidents.
What Can We Do?
- The first and perhaps the most important safety decision we could all make is to have every house fitted with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). These are safety devices that will instantly disconnect power when a power leakage occurs. These circuit breakers can be fitted to existing and new houses. GFCI will also protect other members of the household from most electrical accidents.
- Never work with a power tool which is defective in any way. Take it to a qualified repairer immediately.
- Never work a tool to the point of overload or overheating. If a fuse goes or the tool emits smoke, get it checked out by a qualified repairer.
- Get extension leads checked over regularly for faults. And it’s dangerous to use leads when they are coiled up due to heat buildup, potentially leading to fire or short circuiting.
- Don’t wear any loose clothing when working with power tools – it’s very easy for a shirt collar to be pulled into a rotating blade or attachment. Don’t wear rings and jewelry for the same reason. Also keep hair tied back.
Safety googles are also a good idea, along with dust masks, earmuffs and, for heavy equipment, gloves. - Finally, when it comes to your safety and power tools, don’t go out on a limb – literally. You’d have heard about the guy who was cutting down a very big, very high tree branch with a chainsaw? The only problem – he was sitting on the cut off section that fell to the ground!
Yes, a bit of common sense goes a long way.
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Power Tools Information
Safety Tips For Tools Safety with power tools is essential for any user to consider before ever turning the power tool on. These power tools safety tips will help keep you safe so that your home improvement project has a positive and satisfying outcome.
Essential Tool Tips Unfortunately, improper use of power tools results in many serious injuries each year, usually due to negligence or operator error. These ten essential safety tips will help you prevent power tool injuries.
Tags: portable power tools, power tool, safety
