Safe Use Of Hand Tools

General

• Hand tools shall be of good quality material and be appropriate for the work for which they will be used;
• Handles of cutting tools shall have preventions which prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade. The cutting edges of cutting tools shall be kept sharp (blunt blades result in excessive pressure being used);
• Hand tools shall be tempered, dressed and repaired by a Competent Person;
• Handles of shock tools (e.g. hammers) shall be securely fastened with wedges. Mushroom heads  of cold chisels, etc. shall be dressed or ground to prevent fragments from flying off.

Handling And Use
Hand tools and associated implements shall be used only for the specific purpose they were designed (do not improvise with the wrong tool).

Sharp-edged and sharp-pointed tools shall not be:

• Thrown from person to person;
• Be used in close proximity to others (e.g. a slip of the tool may injure someone not involved in the task);
• Be used in close proximity to moving machinery without proper precautions being considered;
• Not be left lying around where personnel have to pass (especially on elevated work platforms where they might fall on persons below);
• Only insulated or non-conductive tools shall be used on or near live electrical equipment, if there is a risk of electrical shock;
• Open jawed wrenches shall be pulled, not pushed;
• Lengths of pipe, or other makeshift means, shall not be used over spanners or wrench handles to extend the leverage;
• Shims or other material shall not be used with open-ended spanners or wrenches to make them fit;
• Files shall be fitted with proper, secure handles;

Storage
Sharp tools shall be stored with their blades/edges protected or be placed in a safe position to avoid accidental contact or falling onto personnel.
Tools shall be kept free from grease, moisture, and chemicals to prevent damage and corrosion. Tools shall be regularly inspected for defects and where necessary, repaired or scrapped.