Vol.25 | No.27 | Week of 07-07-25

## HAND TOOLS

### Date:

**Job Name:**

*By practicing daily*  
*inspections, we*  
*are using safe*  
*work practices &*  
*eliminating unsafe*  
*equipment.*  
!

**Supervisor Signature:**

Of all the equipment placed at our disposal, common hand tools, which we take  
for granted, are the most useful and the most often abused.

A recent review of construction injuries reveals quite a number of minor accidents  
involving the use of hand tools. To counteract this trend, we’ll review the basic  
rules governing the use of hand tools.

*ñ* Choose the right tool for the right job.

*ñ* Use only tools in good condition ñ no tools with cracked or broken handles,  
none without handles, none with mushroomed or broken heads.

*ñ* Keep blades sharp; store them safely when not in use.

*ñ* Do not use a hammer with a hardened face on a tempered steel tool such  
as a drill, file or bit. Chips may fly.

*ñ* Using two hammers and hitting heads together to remove pins, track, etc is  
strictly prohibited and considered a disciplinary offense.

*ñ* Never use any tool in such a way that you will be injured by it if slips. Figure  
out your movements and position your body accordingly.

*ñ* Routinely inspect all personal and company tools and equipment to ensure  
safe operating condition.

*ñ* Tools should be clean, dirty tools will affect the quality of your work and if a  
cut is made from a dirty tool it can easily become infected.

*ñ* Inspect and use all required safety devices and personal protective  
equipment.

If you have to push hard on your snips so they can cut metal then it is time to  
get new snips. If your screw-gun keeps setting off the GFCI then you need to get  
it serviced. If your keyhole saw couldn’t cut sheetrock without extensive force  
you need to sharpen or replace it. A dull hook-bill or utility knife is extremely  
dangerous. You can tell when the blade is dull because it does not cut smoothly  
and rips the face paper. It is the responsibility of each employee to maintain  
personal tools in safe operational condition.

The purpose of inspecting personal tools and company-supplied equipment is to  
eliminate these combinations of factors that cause accidents and injuries.

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