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511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15
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Chapter 13: Hand and Power Tools

Chapter 13 delves into the comprehensive safety guidelines for the use, maintenance, and inspection of hand and power tools, ensuring they are used in a manner that minimizes risk and ensures operational safety.

USACE employee using jackhammer on floor
This chapter focuses on guidelines for the use, maintenance, and inspection of hand and power tools.

The chapter further outlines definitions for terms such as "Authorized Instructor" and "Explosive-Actuated Tool," clarifying the qualifications and equipment necessary for safe tool operation.

The subsequent sections detail the required training and qualifications for personnel, emphasizing the importance of familiarity with manufacturer instructions and the need for specific training for certain tools like explosive-actuated tools and chainsaws. Inspection requirements are rigorously defined, with a mandate for pre-use checks to ensure tools are in safe working condition, alongside guidelines for the daily inspection and maintenance of explosive-actuated tools.

The chapter also encompasses a broad spectrum of general and specific safety requirements for different types of tools, from electric and pneumatic to hydraulic and explosive-actuated, underscoring the necessity of adhering to manufacturer guidelines, employing proper guards, and ensuring tools are appropriate for the task at hand to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment.

13-1. References.

13-1. References.

13-2. Definitions.

13-2. Definitions.