Workplace Safety: Hand Tools and Personal Protective Equipment

Hand Tool Safety and Proper Use

Wrenches

Types of Wrenches

• Fixed Wrenches: Open-end, box-end, tube, star, glass, Allen, Torx.
• Adjustable Wrenches: Adjustable spanners, pipe wrenches.

Correct Use of Wrenches

• Hold the workpiece firmly with the bolt head or nut to prevent slipping.
• Use your fingers to pull the wrench, never grasp the tool with your entire hand.

Actions to Avoid with Wrenches

• Never strike the tool to loosen or tighten.
• Do not grasp the tool with your whole hand (implying improper grip).
• Never splice two wrenches together to create additional leverage.

Adjustable Wrenches

Proper Use of Adjustable Wrenches

• Push with the palm of your hand.
• Always wear appropriate gloves.

Common Deficiencies and Hazards

• Worn, bent, or damaged clamping jaws or handles.
• Moving parts that are too stiff or difficult to adjust.

Safety Precautions for Adjustable Wrenches

• Never introduce your fingers between the handles.

Pliers, Clamps, and Grips

Types of Pliers and Grips

• Universal pliers
• Cutting pliers
• Parrot's beak pliers (or tongue-and-groove pliers)
• Flat-nose pliers
• U-bow pliers
• Clamps or pressure grip jaws

Common Deficiencies and Hazards

• If the adjustment screw is not properly tightened, the jaws may separate, causing a faulty grip.
• Always hold with the palm of your hand; if a finger is placed in the middle, it can get caught between the handles.

Actions to Avoid with Pliers

• Never use pliers for striking.
• Do not use them for cutting excessively hard or large parts.

Safe Handling of Cutting Tools

General Cutting Tools

Types of Cutting Tools

• Scissors
• Shears
• Hand saws
• Chisels
• Utility knives

Correct Use of Cutting Tools

• Hold them firmly with the palm of your hand.
• Tools must be properly sharpened.
• Cutting surfaces should not be greased.

Common Deficiencies and Hazards

• Notched or dull cutting surfaces lead to poor cuts and require higher cutting effort.

Safety Precautions for Cutting Tools

• Never introduce your fingers between the handles or near the cutting surfaces.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Classification

Understanding PPE Categories

Class I PPE

• Designed to protect against minimal risks with minor harmful consequences (e.g., simple work gloves).
• Does not require EC type-examination.
• Must only be CE marked according to Directive 89/686/EEC.

Class II PPE

• Protects against high-risk environments, but not fatal or irreversible risks (e.g., gloves for mechanical hazards).
• Must be certified and pass an EC type-examination.

Class III PPE

• Protects against potential risks of fatal or irreversible harm (e.g., filtering respiratory protective equipment).
• Must be certified and pass both an EC type-examination and ongoing quality assurance.

PPE Marking and Certification

Understanding CE Marking on PPE

• Class I and II PPE: These categories are typically marked with the CE symbol alone.
• Class III PPE: In addition to the CE symbol, Class III PPE is followed by a 4-digit identification number. This number signifies the Notified Body responsible for the quality control of the production phase within the EU.

Essential Conditions for PPE Compliance

Key Requirements for Effective PPE

• Effectiveness: PPE must always provide valid protection against the specific risks for which it has been chosen and calculated.
• Compatibility: Different PPE items must fit together without interfering with each other's protective benefits, thereby ensuring overall effectiveness.
• Comfort: Uncomfortable PPE can create a risk in itself during use and complicate the task for the operator.
• Ease of Maintenance: If PPE cleaning and routine monitoring are difficult or uncomfortable to perform, maintenance may be neglected. This lack of maintenance can render the PPE ineffective, thereby creating a risk in itself.