The main hazards with electric tools are:
•
lack of grounding or double insulation
• broken or disarmed safety devices such as retractable
guards
• unfamiliarity with the tool
•
failure to hold tool securely
•
failure to secure work
•
injuries to hands and eyes
•
faulty tool cords and extension cords
•
failure to use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
with tools operated outdoors or in wet or damp locations
indoors.
Grounding
• Make sure the tool is grounded and the cord polarized or
double-insulated.
•
“Grounded” means an approved three-wire cord with a
three-prong plug. Use the tool only in a three-pole outlet.
• You can identify two-pronged polarized tools because one
prong is larger than the other.
• Never cut off or bend back the ground pin on a three-
prong plug—or use a two-prong cheater or adapter—to
make the plug fit in a two-pole outlet.
• Double-insulated tools are labelled as such. The label will
feature a D, a D inside a square, a double square, and so
on.
• Make sure the casing of a double-insulated tool is not
cracked, split, or broken.
Cords
•
Inspect tool cords and extension cords daily for damage.
• Keep cords clear of the tool during use.
• Replace any open-front plugs with dead-front plugs.
Dead-front plugs are sealed. They present less danger of
shock or shortcircuit.
•
Inspect tool cords and extension cords for kinks, cuts,
cracked or broken insulation, and makeshift repairs.
• Don’t use the cord to lift, lower, or carry an electric tool.
Don’t disconnect the tool by yanking or jerking on the
cord. You’ll damage the cord, loosen connections, and run
the risk of shocks and shortcircuits.
• Protect cords from traffic. Run them through conduit or
between planks along either side. If necessary, run cords
overhead above work or travel areas.
•
If any cord feels more than warm to the touch, check the
circuit for overloading.
• Report any shocks from tools or cords to your supervisor.
Tag the tool and don’t use it.
• Outdoors or in damp or wet loc