Using hand and power tools on the job can increase the risk to team members in manufacturing environments. While they can help individuals perform tasks that would be much more difficult by hand, they can also become hazardous if they are use incorrectly. OSHA provides several recommendations for hand tool safety on the job. Let’s look at a little more detail.

• Industry specific regulations. Depending on the specific industry of your organization you may face additional OSHA requirements for safety. Some industries that need additional oversight include logging, commercial driving, shipping, and construction. You may need to check with OSHA to determine what your particularly requirements are before allowing the use of hand tools.
• Protective equipment. All employees should be provided with protective equipment when they need to engage with hand and power tools. These may include insulated gloves or protective eyewear. These items need to always be in good repair and readily available for everyone who may use power tools on the job.
• Electrical tools. Employees must be educated on the proper use of these tools and how to maintain safety standards. They must also be aware of potential dangers and how to avoid them. OSHA has a hand and power tool booklet available to all businesses that use electrical tools.
• Hazards and solutions. Hazards, such as wood debris from tools like sanders and routers, need to be acknowledged by employees and management and solutions need to be in place to avoid the dangers associated with these byproducts. Work with an OSHA representative to understand the details of the hazards and how to prevent accidents and injuries.

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