Tool Box Talk 5 Working with Hand tools

WORKING WITH HAND TOOLS

 We all work with hand tools practically every day. Familiarity can lead to complacency. Faulty tools or wrongly used tools can cause nasty injuries and produce poor quality work.

Taking reasonable care of your own Health and Safety, means keeping tools in good condition and using them expertly.
Sharp tools, which cut steel, can cut flesh without trouble. Hammers, which can drive nails, can squash fingers too.
Work Equipment Regulations require employers to ensure that tools are ‘suitable’ and maintained in good order. They rely on you, as skilled trade’s persons, to assist them in this by reporting immediately if something is not suitable or is broken.
The following points are areas where care is needed (and abuse common).
1. Spanners:
Must be the right size or else they are automatically not ‘suitable’. Ring spanners are better than open ended spanners. Open ended spanners are generally better than adjustable spanners.

2. Adjustable Spanners:
Although very convenient, these can very quickly become dangerous due to wear on the jaws and adjusting mechanism. If the jaws are no longer more or less parallel, or the sliding jaw is wobbly, report the tool as ‘unsuitable’.
3. Stillsons:
These also suffer in time from wear on the mechanism. The spring will take up a certain amount of wear, but if the spring is exhausted, or the gripper teeth on the jaws are worn out, report the tool as ‘unsuitable’.
NEVER attempt to gain extra leverage by using pipe over the handle. If the temptation arises obviously the tool is too small and therefore ‘unsuitable’.
4. Files:
The handle is part of the tool. Without a handle the tool is ‘unsuitable’, and the tang extremely dangerous. Files are very brittle and must not be used as levers or chisels. If a file breaks, fragments of sharp metal are likely to fly off.
5. Cold Chisels and Punches:
When the head turns over after prolonged use, forming a ‘mushroom’, grind it off to prevent flying fragments. Keeping chisels sharp reduces the tendency for ‘mushrooming’.
6. Hammers:
Use the right weight hammer for the job. (‘suitability’ again). Ensure hammer heads are secure, with proper wedges (good order). Never shorten a hammer shaft as this spoils the balance and could strain the wrist.
7. Screwdrivers:
These should fit the slot in the screw head, so use the correct size. The point should be ‘cross ground’ to minimize the risk of slipping. Do not use them as chisels. Cross Point (Phillips) screwdrivers are not generally re-sharpenable, so discard when wear makes them unsuitable.
8. Knives:
Retractable knives (Stanley) are commendable, but do not abuse them where a preferable alternative exists e.g. cable stripping.
Use a purpose made cable stripper.
9. Hacksaws
Use the correct size with the correct blade for the job. High Speed blades last longer, but are very brittle. Slow steady cutting keeps the blade cool and gives better results. Always make sure the work is properly secured before starting to cut.
10. Tool Box/Bag
All hand tools should be put away when not in use. Good Housekeeping prevents damage and loss and keeps them sharp and available when needed. Do not walk about with sharp tools in pockets. Serious injury can result in the event of a slip or fall.
Use a tool bag or box.

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Tool Box Talk 4 Manual Handling of loads at work

MANUAL HANDLING OF LOADS AT WORK

Manual Handling Operation is any transporting or supporting of a load, including the lifting,pushing, pulling, carrying or moving, by hand or by bodily force. Picking up and carrying a toolbox or a step ladder or even picking up a screwdriver or hammer, or a set of stocks, is manual handling, just as unloading and positioning a boiler might be. Anything from the extremely light to something requiring your maximum strength is included.

Manual Handling accounts for a large number of accidents each year and many millions of ‘days off’ are due to back and other injuries. Once someone’s back has been weakened by injury it is often a recurring problem for the rest of that person’s life.
a. All Manual Handling Operations are governed by the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Employees have a duty to make full and proper use of anything provided by an employer in connection with manual handling.
This includes following any advice and training given on lifting etc.
b. An employers duties can be summarized as – Avoid the need for manual handling wherever possible. Assess the risk. Reduce the need by providing mechanical aids. Train staff in good Manual Handling techniques.

Basic Rules for safe Manual Handling
1. Think before lifting! Is it heavy (above 16kg) is it large or awkward?, where is the center of gravity?, can you manage it alone?
2. Use the strong muscles and bones of your legs, not the complex and vulnerable ones in your back.
3. Make sure you have a firm grip of the load and that you can sustain the grip for the duration of the lift. Wear industrial gloves to improve grip and protect hands from sharp edges.
4. Make sure you know where you are going to put the load and that the way is clear of obstacles and not slippery. The load must not impede your forward view.
5. If in doubt, get help! There’s nothing macho about a slipped disc!
Lifting Technique
1. Tuck chin in. This keeps back as straight as possible and therefore least vulnerable.
2. Feet as close to load as possible, about a hip width apart, one foot slightly in front.
3. Bend the knees and crouch down.
4. Take a full grip, suing palms, not fingertips.
5. With elbows tucked in, straighten the leg, lifting smoothly.
6. Carry the load forward at waist height.
7. Change direction by turning on you feet, not by twisting the trunk.
8. Put down in the same careful way and continue being careful as you straighten up.

lowering, putting down,

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Tool Box Talk 3 Safety signs and Notices

SAFETY SIGNS AND NOTICES

Persons in charge of sites, plant etc frequently has a need to warn or advice others about hazards or risks. If we don’t understand the signs and notices they put up, we could be in danger.
All safety signs have to conform to the Safety Signs Regulations. If we are familiar with the
Prohibition Signs                Mandatory Signs                          Warning Signs
Safe Condition Signs          Fire Fighting Equipment Signs
Prohibition Signs – These have a red circle with a cross bar on white ground. Any lettering is black.
Examples: Stop, No Entry, No Smoking
Meaning: DO NOT. YOU MUST NOT. STOP IT IF YOU ARE.

Mandatory Signs – These have a solid blue circle with a white symbol and/or lettering.
Examples: Hard Hats must be worn, Keep locked shut
Meaning: YOU MUST DO. OBEY.

Warning Signs – These have a solid yellow triangle (point up) with a black border. Any symbol or lettering is also black on yellow.
Examples: Danger, High Voltage, and Guard Dogs Loose.
Meaning: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED, THEREFORE TAKE CARE.

Safe Condition Signs – These have a solid green square with white symbols and/or lettering.
Examples: Fire Exit, First Aid
Meaning: FOLLOW THIS SIGN TO REACH SAFETY.

Fire Equipment Signs – These have a solid red rectangle with white symbols and/or lettering.
Examples: Fire Alarm, Hydrant, and Extinguisher.
Meaning: HERE IS THE FIRE EQUIPMENT.

Note: Fire Extinguishers have their own color code, which will be dealt with later

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Tool Box Talk 2 Good Housekeeping

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

HOUSEKEEPING is important in order to protect people and materials.Combustible materials left lying around are a FIRE HAZARD.
Other materials left in the way can cause people to trip over them. Round section materials are especially hazardous.
Carelessly or untidily stacked materials can topple over causing damage and injury.
A tidy site is likely to be a safe site and vice-versa. The Health and Safety at Work Act lies down that we must have a safe place of work!
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING means:
1. Keeping rubbish and loose objects clear of the floor and walkway areas.
2. Disposing of all such rubbish into skips or designated areas.
3. Stacking/storing all materials safely.
4. Keeping all tools and equipment in their proper places except when actually in use.
ACCESS WAYS are escape routes. A safe place of work at all times includes a safe means of access and egress to all places where work is done. Do not leave materials/tools/benches etc in gangways/corridors where they might impede someone’s escape or cause a tripping hazard (It might be you or your best mate who needs to get out in a hurry).
Dismantled wood must always have all the nails removed or made safe by hammering them flat.
If all rubbish is regularly collected and put into the skip, in the event of the fire, the danger is confined and more easily dealt with.
Damaged tools or equipment. Take immediate steps to have them repaired and put them somewhere safe. If not repairable or returnable they are classified as rubbish and the above applies.
When work is finished, put overalls and other PPE away in lockers or other safe places. Do not leave belongings lying around.
If you see anything lying on floors, stairways, passages that could cause people to trip and fall, pick it up and put it in a safe place – DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO MOVE IT.
If you notice rubbish piling up which you cannot remove, bring this to the attention of your supervisor.
If when working at height you notice loose objects on boards or walkways, put them somewhere where they cannot be dislodged. This avoids the risk of them falling and causing injury.
Good housekeeping is everybody’s business on site, it is an ongoing activity and a once-a-week clean-up is NOT ENOUGH.

REMEMBER – A TIDY SITE IS A SAFE SITE

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Tool Box Talk 1 Being-Safety Aware

BEING SAFETY AWARE

There is a difference between being aware of Safety in a vague, general way and being Safety ‘Aware’. The second implies a continuous alert attitude to the safety aspects of every job we do. In 1991 there were about 20,000 reported accident in construction. That is about 90 a day. How many went unreported no one knows.

The Health and Safety at Work Act places duties on ALL persons at work. That includes you, your boss, and your foreman, indeed everyone at work. The only way the accident figures will come down is by everyone doing their bit about safety. Your legal responsibility is to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and to safeguard the health and safety of those you work with and members of the public. (This includes children, who must be kept off sites). You must co-operate with your boss in anything he does in the interest of health welfare and safety, and not interfere with anything provided in the interests of health welfare and safety. Fines of up to £2,000 can be imposed.

This includes wearing any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided and using any safety

equipment when provided and as instructed. If unsure about its use ASK! Every employer must have a written Safety Policy (unless he has less than 5 employees), and draw your attention to it. Make sure you read it, and note the arrangements, which affect you. Play your part in keeping the site TIDY AND SAFE.

1- Look out for warning notices and OBEY the instructions given by them. 2- STAY ALERT when working in the vicinity of moving plant – diggers, dumpers, cranes etc. 3- DO NOT OPERATE machines unless you have been trained and authorized to do so. 4- NEVER RIDE on machines or hoists, which are not designed for passengers. It is illegal. 5- DO NOT INTERFERE with ladders or alter scaffolding or move boards unless you are authorized to do so. 6 NEVER THROW anything from scaffolding or any height. Lower it properly.

7- DO NOT take SHORTCUTS. Use the access provided. REPORT any DEFECTS or damage to ladders, scaffolding, plant or tools – at once. 8- REPORT any UNSAFE situations or practices you come across. 9- REPORT all ACCIDENTS involving injury, however slight, to your Foreman. Details of an accident requiring first-aid treatment should be entered in the Accident Book. 10- ASK your Foreman. If in doubt about the safety of any work activity.

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