Some of these activities are performed in workshops and offices that have little or nothing to do with tasks strictly educational, while others are part of the practical content of certain subjects. Anyway, using these tools and machinery can cause varying degrees risks for users, if not properly know their conditions of implementation, operation and shutdown.
The manipulation of common hand tools like hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps and various keys, is a common practice in maintenance shops, as well as in laboratories and classrooms of educational practices, such as the Fine Arts, because many of the operations performed in such places can only be done manually.
Although at first glance such tools can seem a bit dangerous when used improperly to cause significant injury (wounds and bruises, mainly) that on an occasional basis are of a certain gravity to the point that 7% of total accidents produced annually in Spain and 4% of those classified as serious, are caused by the manipulation of a hand tool. While the causes of these accidents are very diverse, most significant can be cited as follows:
- Poor quality of the tools.
- Inappropriate use for the work done with them.
- Lack of experience in handling by the user.
- Inadequate maintenance and improper transportation and location.
- Conservation of the tools in good conditions.
- Using the right tools for each type of work to be performed.
- Proper training of users in the management of these work items.
The following are the recommendations to be considered in the management of some hand tools most commonly used.
Pliers
There are three different kinds of pliers: universal, cutting of nails, being selected the most suitable for the work to be carried out.
Before using pliers must verify that there is no damage, being the most common defects:
- Jaws not properly faced, because of slack in the pivot axis by a misuse of the tool.
- Nicks in the cutting area by forcing the tool too hard materials.
- Striae worn by use.
- Do not use this tool to loosen or tighten nuts or screws, and deforming the edges of each other, or to strike.
- If needed, cut a wire or cable, make the cut perpendicular to its axis, making slight turns around and holding the ends to avoid the violent projection of a fragment.
- When using pliers to work with electrical hazard, they must have their insulated handles.
- Not to overstretch the arms of the tools in order to achieve a better radio. If necessary, use pliers larger.
These tools must be kept sharp and correct cutting angle. In order to avoid unnecessary risks requires that the user is employed with the hammer properly maintained, looked toward the cutting using the chisel and safety glasses. To protect other workers of the possible projections of particles using this tool, install protective screens.
The head of the chisel must be free of burrs and sharp should be well defined. It should also use the hammer weight commensurate with the size of the chisel. A light hammer tends to deform the head of the tool.
When necessary to sharpen the chisel must avoid overheating to not lose its hardness. The grinding is carried out in stages or periodically with water cooling or cooling fluid.
The piece on which the works must be securely fastened.
We recommend using a chisel holder or a magician, rubber bumpers, and that isolates the cold and avoids the risk of bruises on his hands when hit with the hammer.
Screwdrivers
To work correctly with this tool, the screwdriver should be chosen appropriate to the type of screw to be tightened or loosened, depending on the slit of his head (slot, cross, star, etc..) As well as their size, should always be used the greater extent than in accordance with that crack.
- Before using a screwdriver to check that is in good condition, being the most common faults:
- Presence of cracks in the handle or head distorted by misuse, the risk of splinters in their hands.
- Stem handle loose or bent, which may disturb the wound in his hand.
- Boca attack or rounded or blunt, being very common slip and hand injuries origine
The free hand should be positioned so that it is not in the possible trajectory of the screwdriver. To this end, the part containing the screw should be placed firmly in place and should never be fastened by hand.
Do not use the screwdriver as a lever or chisel, as well as providing the risk of various injuries, the tool deteriorates.
When a screw is reluctant to turn proceed to the lubrication and not force the screwdriver with another tool such as pliers. Also, when spent or round the tip of a screwdriver, be repaired with a grinding stone or file, trying not to lose its hardness by heating. This must be done with safety glasses.
Files
They are very commonly used tools in various workplaces. It is distinguished by its size, the type of cut can be made (thinner or thicker), depending on the distance between their teeth and its cross section.
As with any tool manual before starting work with a file should check that:
- The handle has no chips or cracks
- The body of the file is not worn or dull teeth
- The spike penetrates sufficiently into the handle
- The pin is not bent or what is the same as the axis of the handle and stem are aligned
As regards the handling of these tools should consider the following safety recommendations:
- When you need to put the handle to a file, have a ring or handle with metal ferrule at the point of penetration of the ear. Then take the file with a hand protected by gloves and hitting the handle against the bench or with a hammer.
- Ensure handles frequently.
- Do not use the file as leverage, because the stem is soft and bends easily, while the body is brittle and can break.
- Do not hit them like a hammer.
- Since the files are easily oxidized, should be kept clean, dry and separate from other tools
- When using a file, pushing forward and applying the necessary pressure to raise it slightly back.
- Whenever teeth are dull, you must clean the body of the file with a brush.
These tools are widely used in mechanical work. The larger the opening of the mouth, the greater should be the length of the key, in order to get the lever arm in line with the work effort of the tool.
According to the work to be done there are different types of keys, namely, mouth set in cube or star, tube, also known as adjustable wrench or spanner and wrench located.
Accidents with these tools are created when the key is beyond the point of operation and the effort made on it is suddenly interrupted, causing a stroke. This can be facilitated inadequate conservation tool that is susceptible to these problems:
- Boca distorted or worn
- Regulatory elements damaged, loose or missing lubrication
- Dirty mouths and fat mangos
- Whenever possible, use wrenches in preference to adjustable.
- Always choose the key that fits the head of the nut to be tightened or loosened.
- Key deploy perpendicular to the axis of the nut. Failure to do so, you run the risk of slipping.
- To tighten or loosen nuts has to be done by pulling the wrench, never push. If the nut does not come out, proceed to the lubrication without forcing the tool. Nor should increase the lever arm of the key coupling a tube for more strength.
- Should not be used to hit the keys like a hammer or levers.
- These tools should be kept clean. The oil should be periodically adjusted the opening mechanism of the jaws.
It is the tool designed to hit. There are different types, among which include: the ball, on the rocks, the ears or nails, container and heavy sledge hammer.
The most common unsafe defective hammer and the risks that arise from their use are:
- Improper insertion of the head on the handle and may get projected to hit
- Presence of chips in the handle that can cause injury in the user's hand
- Hits insecurity caused bruises on his hands
- Projection of particles in the eyes
- Check the tool in good condition before use and the handle shaft is perpendicular to the head.
- The handle is hardwood, resilient and elastic (beech, ash, acacia, etc.).. They are suitable brittle woods that are easily broken by the action of shock.
- Handle the surface is clean, unvarnished and conforms easily to hand. It should be noted that the greater size of the hammer head, the greater must be the thickness of the handle.
- Grab handle on end, away from the head to the beats safe and effective.
- Make sure when using the hammer is not brought any obstacle or person in the arc described by hitting.
- Wear safety goggles when the projection of particles expected to manipulate these tools.
Toothed tools are designed for cutting wood, metal or plastic. General recommendations for proper use are:
- Firmly hold the piece to be cut so that it can not move.
- Keep tightly stretched over the saw blade to be used to cut metal.
- No sawing too hard to avoid the blade to bend or break.
- Covers adequately protect the blades when moved, so that the teeth do not cause injuries.
- As you begin to cut a piece, the saw blade should be slightly bent and then drag the tool by pulling it to produce a notch. Never cut should start pushing forward. When you are nearing the end, decrease the pressure on the blade.
- Upon completion of the work will be hung on the wall saws, especially for cutting metal.
