Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Hand.tools.are.nonpowered..They.include.anything.from.axes.to.wrenches..The.
greatest.hazards.posed.by.hand.tools.result.from.misuse.and.improper.maintenance..
Some. examples. include. using. a. screwdriver. as. a. chisel. may. cause. the. tip. of. the.
screwdriver. to. break. and. ly. off,. hitting. the. user. or. other. employees.. If. a. wooden.
handle. on. a. tool. such. as. a. hammer. or. an. axe. is. loose,. splintered,. or. cracked,. the.
head.of.the.tool.may.ly.off.and.strike.the.user.or.another.worker..A.wrench.must.
not.be.used.if.its.jaws.are.sprung,.because.it.might.slip..Impact.tools.such.as.chisels,.
wedges,. or. drift. pins. are. unsafe. if. they. have. mushroomed. heads.. The. head. might.
shatter.on.impact,.sending.sharp.fragments.lying.
The.employer.is.responsible.for.the.safe.condition.of.all.tools.and.equipment.used.
by.employees.but.the.employees.have.the.responsibility.for.properly.using.and.main-
taining.such.tools..Employers.should.caution.employees.that.saw.blades,.knives,.or.
other.tools.be.directed.away.from.aisle.areas.and.other.employees.working.in.close.
proximity..Knives.and.scissors.must.be.sharp..Dull.tools.can.be.more.hazardous.than.
sharp.ones..Appropriate.personal.protective.equipment.(e.g.,.safety.goggles,.gloves,.
etc.).should.be.worn.due.to.hazards.that.may.be.encountered.while.using.portable.
power.tools.and.hand.tools.
Safety.requires.that.loors.be.kept.as.clean.and.dry.as.possible.to.prevent.acciden-
tal.slips.with.or.around.dangerous.hand.tools..Around.lammable.substances,.sparks.
produced.by.iron.and.steel.hand.tools.can.be.dangerous.ignition.sources..Where.this.
hazard.exists,.spark-resistant.tools.made.from.brass,.plastic,.aluminum,.or.wood.will.
provide.a.degree.of.safety.
Employees.who.use.hand.and.power.tools.and.who.are.exposed.to.the.hazards.of.
falling,.lying,.abrasive,.and.splashing.objects,.or.exposed.to.harmful.dusts,.fumes,.
mists,.vapors,.or.gases,.must.be.provided.with.the.particular.speciic.personal.pro-
tective.equipment.necessary.to.protect.them.from.the.hazard.
hoIst And AuxIlIAry equIPment (29 cFr 1910.179)
Each. overhead. electric. hoist. must. be. equipped. with. a. limit. device. to. stop. the.
hook.at.its.highest.and.lowest.point.of.safe.travel..Each.hoist.must.automatically.
stop.and.hold.any.load.up.to.125.percent.of.its.rated.load.if.its.actuating.force.is.
removed..The.rated.load.of.each.hoist.must.be.legibly.marked.and.visible.to.the.
operator..Stops.must.be.provided.at.the.safe.limits.of.travel.for.a.trolley.hoist..The.
controls.of.each.hoist.should.be.plainly.marked.to.indicate.the.direction.of.travel.
or.motion.
Close-itting. guards. or. other. suitable. devices. must. be. installed. on. the. hoist. to.
ensure. that. hoist. ropes. are. maintained. in. the. sheave. groves.. All. hoist. chains. and.
ropes.must.be.of.suficient.length.to.handle.the.full.range.of.movement.of.the.appli-
cation,.while.still.maintaining.two.full.wraps.on.the.drum.at.all.times..Nip.points.or.
contact.points.between.hoist.ropes.and.sheaves.that.are.permanently.located.within.
7.feet.of.the.loor,.ground,.or.working.platform.must.be.guarded..No.chains.or.rope.
slings.that.are.kinked.or.twisted.should.be.used,.and.never.use.the.hoist.rope.or.chain.
wrapped.around.the.load.as.a.substitute.for.a.sling..The.operator.must.be.instructed.
to.avoid.carrying.loads.over.people.
