OSHA issues safety standards for the design and use of portable powered tools and other handheld equipment items. (29 CFR 1910.242 – 1910.244). These standards focus on safe use of powered hand tools, as well as on safety features such as lock-outs and guards. The standards define general requirements for all equipment defined as powered hand tools, including specific definitions for following: explosive-actuated; fastening tools; abrasive wheels; and jacks. The remainder of this note summarizes these requirements.
What requirements must be met in workplaces with powered hand tools?
Each employer is responsible for the safe condition of powered hand tools used by employees. This requirement applies even to tools furnished by the employees themselves.
OSHA provides additional requirements for specific hand tools and activities, including the following:
- compressed air cleaning -- when using compressed air for cleaning, the pressure must be no greater than 30 pounds per square inch (psi), and the employer must provide and the employee use effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment (PPE) including eye, hand, and face protection. Employees should not use compressed air to clean themselves or their clothing, even at this reduced pressure.
- jacks (i.e., an appliance that applies a pushing force on a load, by lifting, lowering, or moving it horizontally) must only be used in compliance with the following:
- operators must verify that each jack has a rating high enough to lift and sustain the load. This rated load must be legibly and permanently marked in a prominent location on the jack.
- jacks must meet the following operation and maintenance standards:
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- Unless operating on a firm foundation, must block the base of a jack.
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- The jack operator must watch the jack’s stop indicator to determine the limit of travel, keep the stop indicator clean, and stay within the indicated limit.
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- After raising a load, it must be immediately cribbed, blocked, or otherwise secured.
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- supply adequate antifreeze liquid for hydraulic jacks exposed to freezing temperatures.
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- properly lubricate all jacks at regular intervals.
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- thoroughly inspect all jacks, at intervals that depend upon service conditions
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- tag “out of order” jacks and prohibit their use until they are repaired and inspected
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- blast cleaning nozzles - The operating valves on abrasive blast cleaning nozzles must be held open manually (do not use a latch or other mechanical device such as a “dead man control”) to keep the valves open. There must be a support on which to mount the nozzle when it not in use.
- guarding – OSHA specifies guarding requirements for a number of common types of powered hand tools, including portable circular saws, portable belt sanders, pneumatic powered tools and hoses, and portable abrasive wheels. These requirements are tailored to address the types of hazards presented. (I summarized OSHA requirements for fixed machines HERE).
What happens next?
These requirements have not changed for some time. However, since safe use of this equipment requires employer and operator attention to hazards and countervailing safety measures, it is useful to evaluate training, protective equipment and procedures.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Do any of the organization’s activities include use of powered hand tools (which may create hazardous particulate spread, and include moving portions that may create risks of entanglements, pinches or amputations)?
If so, has the organization installed safeguards to protect against those hazards:
- Do the safeguards provided meet the minimum OSHA requirements?
- Are the safeguards firmly secured and not easily removable?
- Do the safeguards permit safe, comfortable, and relatively easy operation of the machine?
Can the tool be lubricated/oiled without removing the safeguard?
Can safeguards be removed without shutting down the tool (e.g., unplugging)?
Are operators provided with adequate PPE (e.g., goggles, noise protection)?
Where Do I Go For More Information?
Information available via the Internet includes:
About the Author
Jon Elliott is President of Touchstone Environmental and has been a major contributor to STP’s product range for over 30 years.
Mr. Elliott has a diverse educational background. In addition to his Juris Doctor (University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1981), he holds a Master of Public Policy (Goldman School of Public Policy [GSPP], UC Berkeley, 1980), and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Princeton University, 1977).
Mr. Elliott is active in professional and community organizations. In addition, he is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the GSPP Alumni Association, and past member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Environmental Law Section (including past chair of its Legislative Committee).
You may contact Mr. Elliott directly at: tei@ix.netcom.com