Alabama Retail is committed to

partnering with our members to

create and keep safe workplaces.

Be sure to check out all of the

training tools that are available in
our Safety Library.

This training tool is brought to you by

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

Hand Tool Safety
 Learning Objectives
You will be able to:
• Identify the hazards of hand tools
• Take precautions against injury
• Understand common safety practices for
specific types of tools

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Types of Hand Tools
• Hand tools include anything from axes to
wrenches
• Other common examples include
screwdrivers, hammers, punches,
handsaws, chisels, files, snips, axes, knives,
box cutters, wrenches, pry bars, hooks, and
pliers

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hand Tool Hazards
Greatest hazards of hand tools result from
misuse and improper maintenance
• Using a screwdriver as a chisel and the tip
breaks
• Wooden handle is damaged and the head of
the hammer flies off
• Wrench, with jaws sprung, slips and your hand
strikes another object
• Impact tool, such as a chisel, with a
mushroomed head shatters into fragments
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
 Hand Tool Hazards (cont.)
• Cut from a knife or saw
blade
• Struck by flying debris
• Puncture with a sharp
tool
• Abrasions and
contusions
• Musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) from
repetitive misuse of a
tool

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hand Tool Hazards—Any
Questions?
• Any questions about
the hazards of using
hand tools?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Selecting the Right Tool
• Consider the shape, size, and grip of the
tool
• Consider the quality of the tool
• Use spark-resistant tools when working near
flammable materials
• Use insulated tools when working near
electricity

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Consider Tool Ergonomics
• Handles with no sharp edges or finger
grooves
• Handles coated with soft material
• Handles with non-slip surfaces
• Tools with angle for working with straight
wrist
• Tools designed to work in either hand
• Spring-loaded to return to open position

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Carrying Tools
• Toolbox, belt, or pouch
• Never carry sharp tools
in your pocket
• Hold sharp edges or
points away from body
• Don’t carry tools in your
hand when climbing
ladders
• Keep tools out of
walkways and edges
• Hand tools to others, do
not throw them

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Maintaining and Repairing
Your Tools
• Purchase quality tools
• Inspect for damaged edges and handles
• Keep edges and tips sharp
• Replace damaged handles
• Report broken or damaged tools
• Tag damaged tools “Do Not Use”

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 General Hand Tool Safety
Practices
• Make sure observers
are at a safe distance
• Clear the immediate
work area
• Keep floors clean and
dry
• Secure work with a
vise, clamp, or other
support
• Examine tools before
each use

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 General Hand Tool Safety
Practices (cont.)
• Wear PPE appropriate for the work
• Keep cutting tools sharp and in good
condition
• Do not wear loose clothes or jewelry
• Mark damaged tools clearly and notify your
supervisor
• Do not work with oily or greasy hands

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 General Hand Tool Safety
Practices (cont.)
• Use the right size and type of tool for the job
• Do not use tools that are loose or cracked
• Do not put tools on the edge of tables
• After using a tool, clean it and put it back in
its proper place

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hand Tool Hazards—Any
Questions?
• Any questions
regarding selecting
hand tools?
• Any questions
regarding the
inspection and
maintenance of hand
tools?
• Any questions
regarding general hand
tool safe practices?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Screwdriver Safety
• Choose flat head or
Phillips
• Use correct size head
• Power grip handle
should be 1-1/4” to 2”
diameter
• Precision grip handles
should be 1/4” to 1/2”
diameter
• Do not use as a pry bar
or chisel

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hammer Safety
• Inspect the handle for
damage
• Make sure hammer
head is firmly attached
to handle
• Hold with a power grip
• Keep other hand away

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Punch Safety
• Inspect the point
• Inspect the impact
head
• Hold punch straight up
• Strike the head
squarely with hammer

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Chisel Safety
• Inspect the blade
• Inspect the handle
• Do not use if impact
head is mushroomed
• Point blade away from
your body

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 File Safety
• Make sure blades are
clean and sharp
• Inspect the handle
• File with a motion away
from your body
• Do not try to pry or
hammer with a file

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hand Snips Safety
• Blades are sharp
• Handle grips are in good condition
• Spring-loaded handles return to open
position
• Wear cut-resistant gloves
• Cut away from your body

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Axe Safety
• Inspect handle for
damage
• Axe head is firmly
attached to handle
• Use power grip
• Keep other hand away
• Use 2-handed axe
properly
• Swinging motion will
not strike your body

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Knife Safety
• Inspect the blade
• Check the handle
• Carry knife safely
• Cut away from your
body
• Wear cut-resistant
gloves
• Secure object you are
cutting

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Box Cutter Safety
• Inspect the blade
• Check the handle
• Close the blade when
not in use
• Cut away from your
body
• Wear cut-resistant
gloves
• Secure object you are
cutting

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Wrench Safety
• Inspect wrench jaws
• Select non-slip, soft-
coated handles
• Turn wrenches toward
your body
• Clear area around
wrench work
• Do not use a “cheater
bar” for leverage

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Crow and Pry Bar Safety
• Inspect for signs of
damage
• Wear work gloves
• Do not hammer into
place unless designed
for it
• Pull in a smooth
motion; do not jerk

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Handsaw Safety
• Make sure the blade is
sharp
• Inspect the handle
• Secure the object in a
vise or clamps
• Cut in a smooth motion
• Wear cut-resistant
gloves

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Plier Safety
• Inspect for damage
• Use pliers with soft,
non-slip grips
• Use locking pliers
when continuous force
is needed
• Select pliers that can
be used in either hand

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Hand Tool Safety—Any
Questions?
• Any questions about safety procedures for
particular tools?

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

 Key Points to Remember
• Maintain tools
• Use the right tool for the job
• Examine each tool for damage before use
• Operate tools in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions
• Use the proper PPE

© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512