From Gloves to Goggles – Power Tool Safety Guide

Power tools are no joke and save time on any job! Be it drilling, cutting, grinding or heating power tool are incredibly useful for any tradesperson. But they also require a great level of skill and care in order to be used correctly. We have come together with Orbital Fasteners to help you stay safe when working with 5 of the most common power tools.

Cordless Screwdriver

Cordless screwdrivers are can be found in most toolboxes, you will find a type of cordless screwdriver, which are portable, flexible, and compact! When using a cordless screwdriver, you should wear some form of long-sleeved protective clothing or old clothing, to avoid causing pain or irritation to your skin. When you are piercing through wood or metal you may have dust in the air so wearing goggles is essential to prevent irritation.

Angle Grinder

Angle Grinders are versatile tools used on hard materials such as steel, concrete, and asphalt. To remain safe, you must use the correct disc for the job otherwise, you’ll be putting yourself in danger and may damage the tool itself. As a dangerous piece of kit, you should always wear protective eyewear or goggles as angle grinders can throw up debris which can cause damage to unprotected eyes. Heavy duty gloves should also be worn if you are cutting through metal to avoid any swarf coming into contact with your hands. Protective workwear such as CAT Workwear is also recommended for extra safety along with ear protection.

Hammer Drill

Hammer Drills are a very handy tool to have for any tradesperson or DIY enthusiast. Making sure you have protective eyewear, footwear, gloves and clothing which will not be caught in the Hammer Drill is an important detail which is often overlooked. Lose items of clothing getting caught will obviously be ruined and could cause risk to yourself. The way a hammer drill rotates gives it a different kind of risk compared to say a Power Drill which has a lower risk compared. Removing dirt and shavings from previous use can also prolong the life of your Hammer Drill and prevent any overheating and reduced performance.

Jigsaws

When using a Jigsaw, you have to avoid a whole host of risks whether it be shocks, fire or lacerations. When a jigsaw is exposed to water it can cause a shock so should be kept in a dry location free of any moisture. Some of the most common injuries are fire based when it comes to electrical power tools and Jigsaws are no different. When operating a jigsaw, you can get burnt when excessive flows of electricity which can spark a fire. So, fire protective gloves are advised. The most common injury with Jigsaws are lacerations which happens when the operator gets their hand too close to the Jigsaw and slices their skin.

Heat Gun

Heat Guns might not at first glance look like the most dangerous of power tools but with the high levels of heat that a Heat Gun can produce, the risks are very high. Firstly, PPE or Personal Protective Equipment will be needed when using this tool. Respirator Masks prevent inhaling any fume the Heat Gun produces and using gloves which are resistant to chemicals can protect your hands from any danger or risks which a heat gun can cause. Additionally, make sure there are no wood shavings or sawdust around the area you are using as they may start to combust causing a risk of fire.