Tool Safety Non Shop Emps

TOOL SAFETY FOR VISITORS AND OFFICE EMPLOYEES

Do You Know Your Safety Responsibilities?

Created by :Sheryl McGinleyGCC OSH106, Sec. 74445

Tool Safety for Visitors and Office Employees

Employers are responsible for maintaining safe work places and adopting injury prevention programs that protect workers from job hazards. But, did you know that workers have a responsibility for maintaining safe workplaces as well? When it comes to Tool and Shop Safety, do you know your responsibilities?

Created by: S.McGinleyGCC OSH106, Sec. 74445

Hazards of Tool Use

If you understand the general hazards of tool use, then you know what your tool safety responsibilities are. The following is a discussion of hazards and what can happen.


Hazards of Tool Use

Bone fractures, concussions and internal organ damage is caused when an employee is struck by a tool or caught in a moving part of a machine.

Cuts and puncture wounds are a result of rotating blades, drills and cutting tools.


Hazards of Tool Use

Objects can fly off of many tools in operation. The amount of damage to the human body depends on the object’s size, shape, speed and material.


Hazards of Tool Use

Body parts can get caught in gears, belts, shafts, etc. These are known as crushing injuries.


Hazards of Tool Use

An electrical power supply can be a hazard. It can cause burns and electrical shock which can paralyze nerve centers, and/or stop breathing and circulation.

Heat from electric currents can damage skin and internal organs.


Hazards of Tool Use

Tools can have excessively hot surfaces which can burn upper extremities and fingers.

Gasoline – often used as a tool power source – can combust and start fires.


Hazards of Tool Use

Tools create noise hazards which in turn can cause hearing damage.

Air contaminants are produced from sanding, cutting, and shaping processes and may cause breathing problems.


Hazards of Tool Use

Floor spaces and work areas can become cluttered or obstructed from scrap and dust particles which create tripping or slipping hazards.


Hazards of Tool Use

Standing water can be an excellent conductor of electricity resulting in burns or electrocution (not to mention cause falls).

Saw dust and other scrap can also be a tripping and slipping hazard.


General Safety Practices

Now that you have a general knowledge of the hazards of tool use, let’s learn the accepted safety practices to use when visiting the shop and surrounding areas.



Eye protection (otherwise known as safety glasses) is required at all times in the shop and tool usage areas.

Closed toe shoes with rubber soles are required.



Hearing protection with a minimum 25NRR is required when in the shop.



An N95 disposable dust mask is required while in or near sanding equipment.



Long hair must be pulled back and banded when in close proximity of tools and equipment.

No neck ties allowed.



Loose sleeves and dangling jewelry are not allowed near or around equipment.



Be aware of activities around you when in the shop. Is the employee sawing next to you? How far are you from the equipment? Are you in direct line of motion of the saw, router, sander or drill? Could a piece of scrap fly off and hit you? Is the employee near you using a pneumatic staple gun? Is he firing it in your direction? If so, leave the area. Created by: S.McGinley

GCC OSH106, Sec. 74445


No shortcuts or passing through the shop work areas is allowed. The shop has yellow traffic lines, stay within those lines unless you have approval from the management.



Do not attempt to plug in electrical equipment or start machines and tools without authorization or clearance from management.



Be aware of floor hazards and housekeeping problems.

Look down when you walk. Be aware of electrical cords and cables, they are tripping hazards.



Do not attempt to move scrap lumber or metal components anywhere in the shop, this can cause cuts and puncture wounds. Go around the obstructions.



Stay alert in your surroundings. Noise produced by power tools can drown out voices and shouts of warning in the shop.

Stay out of the way of forklifts and other moving equipment. Make eye contact with the equipment operator before you make a move.



Only work with tools and equipment that you have been trained to use. You must be trained and checked out by shop management.

You cannot borrow shop equipment.



Know the location of fire extinguishers. Only use one if you are familiar with the correct type of fire extinguisher for a specific fire (A, B, C and D) and if you have been trained to operate one.

Also, know the fire alarm locations and where the nearest exits are at all times.



And last, safety concerns should be reported to shop management immediately so all work in the area can be interrupted until tools, equipment and working conditions are safe. Created by: S.McGinley

GCC OSH106, Sec. 74445

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Tool Safety Non Shop Emps