Tag Archives: power tools

General Safety Issues

4 Power Tools Safety Tips

Guest Blog Written by Daniel Brown

There are numerous reasons why people use power tools both in their line of work and for private purposes. First of all, they have the advantage of speed and scale, which allows you to do tasks you would be unable to do before or to handle a previously possible task with several times greater speed. Still, with greater power comes greater responsibility and, in this case, a greater hazard. Handling power tools inadequately can cause some serious injuries, far greater than those that could occur with hand tools. With that in mind and in order to prevent such a thing from happening, you need to know a couple of tips regarding handling power tools. Here are some of them.Photo by https://www.bidvine.com

  • Be focused

The problem with handling power tools lies in the fact that it can be quite boring at the time. It takes only a second for you to make a mistake that you could regret for a lifetime. This is why you need to stay alert, awake and focused on what you’re doing. Do what you’re doing and take as long as you need. You’re saving time (in comparison to doing the same task with regular tools) either way, so there’s no point in rushing. As soon as you notice that there’s a lapse in concentration take a break. Power tools usually cause a lot of noise, which is why you would do well to get some rest from this, as well.

  • Use protective gear

The next thing you need to understand is the fact that the right gear might protect you in more than several ways. Hardhats are there to protect you from debris and recoil (which might happen with some power tools). Safety glasses are vital in keeping your eyes safe, especially when cutting something. Ear plugs are there to help you stay focused on the task at hand. Now, safety shoes may seem as optional but they’re actually a vital piece of protective gear. Lastly, the importance and pragmatism of gloves are more than self-explanatory. Safety vest is also important, seeing as how it enables your coworkers, bypassers or bystanders to notice you in time. This will help avoid a scenario where they bump into you by accident.

  • Preparing for the worst

Keep in mind that you won’t always be able to prevent an accident. Sure, you might be focused and careful but what if someone else bumps into you while you’re handling a dangerous power tool? What if the device malfunctions or interacts with a material that it’s working on… well, in a way it shouldn’t? This is why it’s important that you have a strategy that will help you behave even if the worst is to happen.

What you need is to unplug the tool and find a first aid kit right away. Then, seek aid from a professional medical expert. Keep in mind that ramifications of this aren’t always medical but legal as well. For instance, if you’ve suffered an injury at work you might also be in need of work compensation lawyers. While some may see this as too pessimistic, it’s always for the best to be prepared ahead of time.

  • Mind the surroundings

Keep in mind that these tools aren’t the only thing that you need to be focused on. Think of it like experience similar to driving a car. What are you looking at while you drive? The road ahead, the pedestrians, other cars or the rear-view mirror? The answer is simple, you’re looking at all of them and the same thing you need to do while handling the power tool. Mind the surroundings both before you start work and clean it up, if necessary. Do so while working and make sure to inspect are after you’re finished. In this way, you’ll make it much safer for work.

In conclusion

    At the end of the day, you need to keep in mind that while power tools may sound dangerous, especially from the information we’ve discussed above, this is not really so in practice. Most people go through their entire lives without having a single power tool-related accident and, if you follow the above-listed four tips, you just might do the same.
General Safety Issues

A SHORT GUIDE TO KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE WHEN HANDYMEN TEAMS ARE AROUND (GUEST POST)

Before calling over the Handymen to your premises, have a one-on-one chat with all children who are old enough to understand verbal instructions. Lay down ground rules and make it clear that the rules are not to be broken at any cost. The first step is to make them aware of the danger that they might put themselves into if they try to do their own thing. Following next is a short guide on keeping children safe when Handymen Team is around.

1. Discuss Health Hazards

Before handing over your premises to the experts, have a detailed chat with them about the safety measures that need to be taken.  Ensure that the quality of air remains safe and see that the premises are cleaned on a daily basis, after the end of work for that day.

2. Identify common spaces

Before the power tools start booming, ensure that the common areas are identified for the children.   The children should be barred from roaming into the areas where the technicians are working. A simple solution is to relocate the microwave and the refrigerator, to ensure children do not walk into the kitchen unknowingly.

3. Power tools out of reach

Irrespective of the fact that you have one or more kids, the attraction to a power tool will be irresistible.  They might seem like playthings to them; chalk out a plan beforehand to keep all such tools away from children.  Make arrangements with the team to remove tools from the premises at the end of day or keep them secured for the night.

4. Keep the children at bay

It is not easy but it is very essential that children are not running around while the interiors are being done up. They might cause an accident and will also distract the workman from his job.  Repairs and renovations, if possible, should be planned when the kids are away at school or in a day care. In all cases, keep the workers informed that there are children at home and some precautions therefore need to be taken.  

5. Disposal of waste

During renovations, a large amount of waste is produced. It may include nails, pieces of metal, paint, wood shavings and chemicals to name a few. To ensure the child is away from this waste, discuss with the service provider beforehand about proper waste containment methods.  A waste disposal unit can be installed temporarily to prevent children from accessing the waste.

6. Reward a must

Once handyman service professionals leave and the renovation is complete, be sure to reward the children for following the rules and staying out of danger. Spend time with them and ask their opinion about the new changes in their home.

Article Summary: Keeping children away from danger in a house under renovation or with a Handyman team on the job is a tricky matter. Kids are curious by nature and all the working noises are sure to attract them.

Author Bio:

Ben Verdi is the owner of Handyman at your service, a US based company providing Handyman Services to business owners at an affordable price. Handyman at your service specializing in TV installation NYC, Electrical work, Plumbing NYC, IKEA Assembly NYC and many more.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Protective Clothing

TEN TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING THOSE NEW POWER TOOLS!

We’re betting that there are quite a few of “Do It Yourself’ers,” “Weekend Warriors,” or others who are hoping that Santa brings them some power tools this year.  You may be someone who wants to try a new hobby or save money by repairing broken things around the house without calling a professional.  We want to share ten things that you should pay attention to in order to possibly avoid an emergency room visit. 

  1. Know what you are doing, or don’t do it!  Practice makes perfect.  Even if you know what you are doing, taking a class ahead of time could pay big dividends.  Power tools are hazardous when improperly used.  You should be trained in using all tools, not just power tools.  Know the potential hazards as well as the safety precautions to prevent the hazards from happening.

      2.  Plan ahead.  Visualize the project and think of anything that might be dangerous about it.  For example, if you’re going to cut something, practice saw safety.  Experts will tell you to ask questions and fine-tune your level of concentration when using power tools, and choose your projects based on knowledge, time, cost, and risk.  Tools are not your friends.  You must get to know how to use them, put the blades in correctly, clean and care for them and operate them correctly.  Otherwise, they can stick, stab, cut, or kill you.

      3.  Dress for success.  If you wear the proper safety gear for the intended project, you can decrease the risk for injury.  Cover up.  These should be included in your safety gear:

  • Safety glasses – They come in all shapes and sizes, including sun protection, and keep mists, paints, and dust out of your eyes.
  • Earplugs and muffs – These protect you from hearing loss.
  • Respirators – When using toxic or caustic chemicals or cutting fluids, a respirator will reduce the risk of injury or death from airborne hazards.
  • Kneepads – If you are kneeling on hard surfaces, you can’t do without these!
  • Gloves and shoes – Cover your hands and feet to decrease injury due to everything from chemical exposure to sharp objects.
  • Coveralls – Coveralls keep clothing from getting caught in machines and are flame-retardant.  If you spill something on your clothing, you are going to take it into your home and car.  Cotton and denim are good choices if you do not have coveralls. 

       4.  Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get caught in the tool.

        5.  Know about electricity.  Use an electrical tester to ensure that your power is off at the circuit for minor repairs.  Unless you are an electrician or an electrical engineer, you shouldn’t try to do electrical wiring.

       6.  Have your “work space” neat and clean.  It’s the same as for those who work in manufacturing:  clutter and debris can cause slips, trips, falls, and falling objects.  Floors should be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental falls around dangerous hand and power tools.

       7.  Keep family and observers at a safe distance while you are working.

       8.  Tools should be maintained with care – kept sharp and clean in order to perform well.  Follow instructions in the users manual for lubricating and changing accessories.

      9.  If portable electric tools are damaged, they should not be used until repaired.

     10.  Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance. 

We hope these tips will come in handy when you open those tools Santa left.  Use them with care, and you will be surprised at all the things you can do.  Just read the instructions first and exercise caution.  Safety counts!

Back Safety, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

AUTUMN LEAVES CAN BREAK YOUR BACK!

This is my favorite time of year, the leaves are falling, mornings are cool and crisp when Buddy and I go for our daily walk, football is underway, and THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!    What more could one ask for? 

But getting back to the subject, the leaves are falling off our pecan trees at a pretty fast pace now, and my husband isn’t looking forward to raking all of them.  He takes care of  the outside duties, such as mowing, gardening, and well, all of it, to be honest.  I don’t know if he would listen to any of the safety tips for doing all this yard work, but hopefully, some of you will find this helpful.

Wait until all the leaves have fallen off the trees before you start raking them.  If you overextend yourself at first, you may get tennis elbow or tendonitis.  Be sure to stretch first and warm up about 10 minutes before beginning.  You will need the right tools to make the job easier.  First, a good rake is worth a few extra dollars.  Be sure the rake is compatible to your height.  Wear leather gloves that help you grip the rake, and shoes with slip-proof soles, because wet leaves can be slippery.  When picking the leaves up, bend at the knees, not the waist to save your back.  Overloading the bags with leaves will make it too heavy, so use more bags.  If you suffer from allergies, wear a N95 dustmask. Many persons have allergies as severe in the fall as in the spring.  Also, you might want to spray your clothing with some type of bug repellent. 

Another fun fall project is pruning trees.  Be sure to look over the area around the trees and be sure there are no power lines running through them before you position your ladder.  Use the right tool for each job.  If you are using power tools, you may want to wear earplugs to soften the noise.  Also, watch for falling limbs, you never know when a big limb is going to come tumbling out of a  tree. 

Cleaning gutters is another job I’d rather not do.  But for those who have to do this, be sure the ladder you plan to use is in good condition and set it on a level place.  It is better to move the ladder as often as needed than stretch to reach something while you are on it.  An extension ladder is good for checking the roof or cleaning gutters. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there are more than 400,000 persons treated in emergency rooms annually that are victims of lawn and garden tool accidents.  Whether you are working with a mower, wood chipper, leaf blower, or any power tool, use caution.  Always wear safety glasses when doing yard work to protect your eyes.

There’s a lot to be said about the great outdoors, whether it’s your yard, somewhere you walk, or a favorite place you take your kids for an adventure.  The best policy is to be safe and aware of your surroundings.  There may be snakes that are hiding under leaves until they choose to hibernate.    Just be sure you are safe wherever you are.   One other tip, wildlife (such as deer)  is more active during this season, so watch for them while driving. 

Enjoy every minute of this fall, because one morning you’ll wake up, and there will be frost on the pumpkin!

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized

Working with Power Tools?

1 Comment

When using power tools, the proper personal protective equipment should always be worn.

These tools are classified by their source of power: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic and powder-actuated.
Safety tips when using the types of tools listed are:

  • Electric – Electric shock is the most hazardous threat, and proper grounding is extremely important. Wear gloves and safety footwear when using electric tools.
  • Pneumatic – Powered by compressed air, i.e., drills, hammers, sanders, require that eye, head and face protection be used.   When operating jackhammers, safety glasses, shoes, face shields and hearing protection from noise are necessary.
  • Liquid Fuel – Usually powered by gasoline, which sometimes creates vapors that can explode or burn.  If using this type of equipment in inside areas, respirators should be worn.
  • Powder-Actuated – These tools operate like a loaded gun, and should be operated only by specially trained persons.  Face, ear and eye protection need to be worn.
  • Hydraulic – Fire-resistant fluids must be used to run this equipment, with the exception of insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts and tools used on or around energized lines.  Jacks, lever and ratchet jacks, screw jacks and hydraulic jacks should be properly inspected before use and immediately after.  Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn.