Protecting Workers from Power Tool Hazards
Many workers use some sort of “power” tools—that is, hand tools with an electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or other external power source—on the job. Examples of commonly used and potentially dangerous power tools include power drills, nail guns, pressure washers and chain saws. The OHS laws typically set safety requirements for the use of such power tools. One of the best ways to protect workers from power tool hazards is through a power tool program. We’ll tell you how to develop such a program for your workplace and the elements your program should contain.
POWER TOOL HANDOUTS: Download handouts for workers on the safe use of chain saws and compressed air tools from OHS Insider.com (requires a no obligation FREE Trial).
HOW TO COMPLY
Common hazards posed by power tools include:
- Electrical hazards, such as frayed or damaged electrical cords, hazardous connections and improper grounding;
- Flying objects, such as debris and dust generated by tools that can get into a worker’s eyes or cut his skin;
- Point of operation hazards from moving parts that can amputate fingers or cut skin; and
- Musculoskeletal injuries, such as back strain or hand-arm vibration syndrome.
The OHS regulations of all Canadian jurisdictions require employers to protect workers who use power tools from these kinds of hazards. (See the box on page X for more on what the OHS laws say.) Although the OHS laws don’t specifically require power tools programs, implementing such a program is an effective way to ensure that your company complies with the requirements spelled out in the regulations.
4 Key Components of Program
Like all safety programs, power tool programs should be in writing. The key components of an effective power tool program are:
Tool selection. Using the wrong power tool for the job can endanger workers. For that reason, the OHS laws bar the use of some kinds of power tools in certain circumstances. For example, New Brunswick’s OHS Regulations bar the use of powder actuated tools to fire a fastener into cast iron, glazed brick or tile, marble, granite, slate, glass or any other unusually hard or brittle material. Limits may also apply to the types of power tools used in a workplace. For example, power tools that emit sparks are banned from confined spaces containing potentially combustible atmospheres. And certain tools might require specific safety features or designs, such as double insulation if they’re electrically powered or foam or rubberized grips if they cause vibrations to the hands and arms.
So it’s important that you ensure that the right power tools are available to workers based on the jobs they’ll be used for and the hazards posed. Also consider the tool and how it’s designed. Thus, for example, choose lighter models of a tool that you expect employees to hold for extended periods of time.
Use of tools. The core of your program will be safe work procedures for the use of power tools. You’ll likely need two sets of procedures: general procedures for all power tools and procedures for each specific kind of power tool used.
General safe work procedures for all power tools should cover:
- Guarding and other safety devices;
- Lockout requirements, when applicable;
- Types of PPE to be worn and under what circumstances;
- Cord control—that is, ensuring that the cords (and hoses) to power tools don’t become trip-and-fall hazards and are kept away from sharp edges, heat sources and chemicals that could damage them;
- Electrical hazards;
- Dress code—including prohibitions on loose clothing (particularly sleeves), long hair and jewellery that can get caught in power tools;
- Proper use of tools under both OHS regulations and the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions; and
- Storage of tools after use.
Safe work procedures for specific types of power tools will also need to cover both OHS requirements and manufacturer’s specifications for each tool used.
Inspection and maintenance. At a minimum, workers, a supervisor or another competent person familiar with power tools, their design and how they work should briefly inspect all tools prior to and following each use, looking for defects or damage. The OHS laws require any tool that malfunctions or appears to be damaged to be marked as defective and taken out of service so that it isn’t accidentally used by until it’s repaired and/or certified as safe for re-use. In addition, consider assigning a worker or a team of workers to perform more formal and intensive inspections and maintenance of all power tools on a regular basis.
Tools also need to be properly maintained. For example, require workers to clean and, if necessary, lubricate their power tools after each use. And make sure that power tools are properly stored when not in use so they don’t get damaged. For instance, electrical power tools should always be stored someplace dry.
Training. The OHS laws require workers who use power tools to get proper training. For example, Sec. 13.11 of the federal OHS Regulations says that every worker must be “instructed and trained by a qualified person appointed by his employer in the safe and proper inspection, maintenance and use” of all tools that he’s required to use. The other jurisdictions have similar requirements.
In general, power tool training should cover:
- General safe work procedures;
- Safe work procedures for the specific kinds of power tools the worker will use on the job;
- Procedures for reporting damaged tools; and
- Inspection and maintenance of tools.
POWER TOOL HANDOUTS: Download handouts for workers on the safe use of chain saws and compressed air tools from OHS Insider.com (requires a no obligation FREE Trial).
As with any safety training, you must document the power tool training provided to workers and take steps to verify that the training was effective, such as by quizzing workers or making them demonstrate the techniques taught in the lesson. In addition, workers should be periodically retrained on a regular basis and whenever new power tools, safety devices or significant changes affecting how the tools are used are introduced to the workplace.
BOTTOM LINE
Once you’ve developed and implemented a power tool program in your workplace, you can’t rest on your laurels. You must regularly evaluate the program’s effectiveness, such as every year, and update it when necessary. For example, you might need to re-visit your selection of tools and safe work procedures if incidents involving certain tools occur, depending on the findings of the investigation into the incident’s cause. Remember that hazards are constantly shifting and, as with any other safety program, power tool safety demands that you stay on top of changing conditions and make the safety adjustments necessary to meet them.
KNOW THE LAWS OF YOUR PROVINCE
| Here are the key sections of your jurisdiction’s OHS law that apply to power tools: | |
| RELEVANT SEC. OF THE OHS LAW | |
| FED | OHS Regs., Part XIII (Tools & Machinery) |
| AB | OHS Code 2009, Part 25 (Tools, Equipment & Machinery) |
| BC | OHS Reg., Part 12 (Tools, Machinery & Equipment) |
| MB | Workplace Safety and Health Reg.:a. Part 7 (Storage of Materials, Equipment, Machines & Tools)
b. Part 16 (Machines, Tools & Robots) |
| NB | OHS Reg., Part IX (Tools) |
| NL | OHS Regs. 2009:a. Sec. 88 (Safe machinery & equipment)
b. Sec. 92 (Unsafe tools & equipment) c. Sec. 105 (Powder actuated tools standards) d. Sec. 106 (Powder actuated tool use) e. Sec. 107 (Limitations on use of powder actuated tools) f. Sec. 111 (Pneumatic nailing & stapling tools) |
| NT/NU | General Safety Regs., Secs. 168 to 199 (Explosive-actuated Tools) |
| NS | Occupational Safety General Regs.:a. Part 6 (Lock-out)
b. Part 8 (Mechanical Safety) c. Part 9 (Tools) |
| ON | Industrial Establishments Reg.:a. Secs. 36 & 37 (Explosive actuated fastening tools)
b. Sec. 38 (Hand-held nailing guns & similar tools) c. Sec. 39 (Chain saws) d. Sec. 44 (Electrical tools) a. Secs. 93-95 (Equipment, general) b. Secs. 117-121 (Explosive actuated fastening tools) c. Secs. 195.1-195.3 (Electrical tools) |
| PE | OHS Regs.:a. Part 28 (Explosive-Actuated Tools)
b. Part 29 (Hand Tools & Portable Power Tools) c. Part 30 (Mechanical Safety) |
| QC | Reg. on Occupational Health and Safety, Division XXII (Hand Tools & Power Tools) |
| SK | OHS Regs.:a. Sec. 139 (Lockout)
b. Sec. 142 (Air-actuated fastening tools) c. Sec. 143 (Explosive-actuated fastening tools) d. Sec. 144 (Airless spray units) |
| YT | OHS Regs., Part 4 (Hand Tools & Power Driven Portable Tools) |
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Every jurisdiction’s OHS laws require employers to take precautions to protect workers from the hazards posed by power tools. They typically include:
General requirements. The OHS regulations often include requirements that apply to all power tools. Examples: Defective power tools that are unsafe for use must be marked as defective and taken out of service until they’re fixed and safe for use; power tools must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; and workers must be trained in the safe use and operation of all power tools and wear proper PPE when using them.
Tool-specific requirements. In addition, OHS regulations of most jurisdictions include requirements for specific kinds of power tools, such as:
- Actuated fastening tools—that is, tools that use a pneumatic, hydraulic, explosive or electric source of energy to force, propel or discharge a fastener, such as nail guns. They’re sometimes called powder-actuated or explosive-actuated tools;
- Pneumatic power tools, such as staple guns;
- Handheld saws, such as chain and brush saws;
- Grinders;
- Pressure washers; and
- Airless spray units.
Voluntary Standards
OHS regulations sometimes require employers to ensure that power tools comply with the requirements of designated voluntary standards, such as those from the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Examples of power tool standards adopted by the OHS laws:
- CSA Standard C22.2 No. 71.1-M89, Portable Electric Tools;
- CSA Standard Z166, Explosive Actuated Fastening Tools;
- CSA Standard CAN3-Z62.1-M85, Chain Saws; and
- ANSI A10.3-1995, Safety Requirements for Powder-Actuated Fastening Systems.
Power & Hand Tool Resources
AB: Selecting Hand Tools; Best Practices—Vibration at the Work Site
BC: Toolbox Meeting Guide—Power tools and cords; Selecting hand tools in construction trades
NB: Safety Reminder: Powered hand Tools; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
