Hand and Power Tools Injuries.

Abstract

 The construction sector is essentially dimming on power tools. Hand and power tools cause thousand of injures every year. Hand and power tools users are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects. OSHA addresses the hazards of using hand and tools in the CFR 29 PART 1926 Construction regulation in subpart I. Moreover, OSHA provides five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools. Also, training workers on the tools and considering tools manufacturers instructions as rules that will lead to reduce hand and power tools risk. Finally, creating a safety culture in the workplace is one of the leadership responsibilities to ensure the safety of the employees.

Introduction

Dealing with hand and power tools is an everyday routine for most construction worker industry and it include everything from axes to wrenches. As it can be powerful tools it’s dangerous as well and can cause huge accidents. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, over 400,00 workers have suffered injuries from hand and power tools in construction industry space each year and over 200 of them died [1]. Moreover, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows one out of every 10-construction industry employees is injured annually by power tools [2]. There are a lot of different kinds of hand tools become available every year. Hand and power tools can run on electricity, gasoline, air pressure or hydraulic. Hand and power tools considered as the most tools use on the construction industry.  As a result, the hazards of these tools have no limits and can cause. On the other hands, controlling these hazards by providing serious solutions to protect the employers and employees can reduce injuries in effective way.

Hand and Power Tools Hazards:

Hand and power tools are the milestones of delay construction work. Power tools users are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects. Also, OSHA divided power tools to six sections depends on their operation type (Electric Tools, Portable Abrasive Wheel Tools, Pneumatic Tools, Liquid Fuel Tools, Powder-Actuated Tools, and Hydraulic Power Tools). Each one of these sections has their own hazards and solution. However, this paper covered generally hand and tools hazards and solutions.

OSHA addresses the hazards of hand and tools in the CFR 29 PART 1926 Construction regulation as following: [3]

1926.301(a) Employers shall not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools.

1926.301(b) Wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches shall not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs.

1926.301(c) Impact tools, such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels, shall be kept free of mushroomed heads.

1926.301(d) the wooden handles of tools shall be kept free of splinters or cracks and shall be kept tight in the tool.

Also, OSHA provides five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools: [4]

Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.

Use the right tool for the job.

Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use damaged tools.

Operate tools according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Provide and use properly the right personal protective equipment.

Historical injury and fatality rate:

The collected data from Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA shows in 2012 there were 25.5 non-fatal injuries in every for every 10,000 workers due using hands and power tools [5]. On the other hand, 712 deaths in 2012 all of were related to contact with hands and power tools. The Surveys shows that 400,000 visits to the emergency room each year due to accidents that related to hands and power tools. The collected data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of the Injuries and fatalities the related to the industry has declined when compare it the last 10 years [6].

Prevent hand and power tools accidents:

In 2002, the OHSA has released a booklet to emphasize the dangers that come during using the hand and portable power tools [4]. OSHA book summarizes safety and health standards for the construction industry (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I). OHSA has defined the dangerous due to contact with many power and hand tools such as guards Operating, controls and switches, electric tools, portable abrasive wheel tools, and liquid fuel tools. Following the basic safety procedures and safeguards are very important to reduce the hazards related to the hand and portable power tools.

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Having a clear protection system is important to ensure the safety of the employee. Is very important to make sure the employee is knowing the hazers of the equipment and the tools on the job site. Each employee must take training courses before using any tools. The job site tools location must be marked and it must be clear for all employees and workers in the job site. To ensure the safety of employees the equipment and tools must be inspected in the job site prior to use. Each employee must follow the must have a personal protective equipment such as Protective gloves, Hearing protection, full face shields when cutting, and safety goggles. In addition, to identify the risks associated with using the hands and power tools OSHA published many extensive publications such as Chemical Hazard Communication, Controlling Electrical Hazards, and Job Safety and Health Quarterly [4]. OHSA establish a call line for companies in case of emergency, complaint, and farther assistance to provide them an assistant in case of emergency. The Consultation assistances service is a largely funded by OSHA that available for employers those seek to create a healthy and safety work environment.

Leadership influence on safety culture:

Creating a safety culture in the workplace is one of the leadership responsibilities to ensure the safety of the employees. The leader must identify the bad behavior in the workplace before the accident happens and make sure that every employee in following safety procedures strictly. Make a reward system for good safety practice and a warning system as well. Raise trust among employees and encourage them to report the bad behavior and in case of negligence in safety procedures.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, power tools users exposed hazards of falling, flying abrasive, and splashing objects. OSHA addresses hazards of using hand and power tools in the CFR 29 PART 1926 construction regulation in subpart I. It is the leadership responsibility to create a safety culture and a healthy environment to ensure everything safety in the job site. There several efficient methods that companies apply in order to avoid catastrophic injuries such as following the OSHA safety procedures in the construction industry (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).

References:

[1] Health and safety in engineering workshops. (1999). Retrieved from http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg129.pdf

 [2] Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2016. (2017, December 19). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm

 [3] Department of Labor logo UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF LABOR. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926

 [4] HAND and POWER TOOLS. (2002). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3080.html

[5] Industry Injury and Illness Data. (2018, November 08). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshsum.htm#16Summary_News_Release

[6] Rivera, J. (2018, June 26). Work Tools Accident Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/work-tools-accident-statistics.html