511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

13-8. General Requirements.

General Requirements for Hand and Power Tools

Use and maintain tools according to the manufacturer's instructions and for their designed purposes, ensuring safety guards are functional.
Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid loose clothing or jewelry when operating power tools.
Secure or properly place tools when working overhead, avoid throwing tools, and use non-sparking tools in hazardous locations.

Hand Tools

Do not use wrenches or other tools with worn jaws or mushroomed heads.
Ensure tool handles are free of splinters, cracks, and are securely attached.

Electric Power-Operated Tools

Use tools listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and ensure they are double-insulated or properly grounded.
Provide Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection for outlets serving portable electric tools and ensure electrical cords are not used for hoisting tools.
Install power control on machines to allow operators to cut off power without leaving their position and prevent machines from restarting automatically after a power failure.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

13-4. What should be provided for outlets serving portable electric tools.

Outlet covers

Double insulation

GFCI protection

Cords for hoisting tools

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 13-8 (a.–c.).

13-3. General Requirements (a.–c.).

a.  All hand and power tools must meet the requirements included in this paragraph. (13-8.a)

(1)  Use and maintain hand and power tools according to the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations and only for the purpose for which designed.  Keep a copy of the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations with the tools.

(2)  Use PPE according to chapter 5 of this manual and as specified by the manufacturer.

(3)  When work is being performed overhead, secure tools that are not being used or place them in holders.

(4)  Do not throw tools or materials from one location to another or from one person to another or drop them to lower levels.

(5)  Use only non-sparking tools when in locations where sources of ignition may cause a fire or explosion.

(6)  Tools requiring heat treating or redressing must be tempered, formed, dressed, and sharpened by personnel who are experienced in these operations.

(7)  Do not use cranks on hand-powered winches or hoists unless the hoists or winches are provided with positive self-locking dogs.  Do not use hand wheels with exposed spokes, projecting pins, or knobs.

(8)  Do not allow the use or operation of fuel-powered tools inside confined spaces, enclosed spaces, partially enclosed spaces, or buildings unless adequate ventilation is provided to ensure the equipment does not generate a hazardous atmosphere according to chapters 5, 6, and 34 of this manual.

(9)  Do not wear loose and frayed clothing, loose long hair, dangling jewelry (including dangling earring, chains, and wrist watches) while working with any power tool.

(10)  Guarding.

(a)  Ensure guards are in place and functioning properly for all power tools designed to accommodate guards.

(b)  Guard the reciprocating, rotating, and moving parts of equipment employees may come in contact with or that otherwise create a hazard.

(11) Anchor or securely clamp floor and bench-mounted power tools to a firm foundation to withstand lateral or vertical movement.

b.  Hand Tools.  (13-8.b)

(1)  Do not use wrenches, including adjustable, pipe, end, and socket wrenches, when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs.

(2)  Keep impact tools, such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels, free of mushroomed heads.

(3)  Keep the wooden handles of tools free of splinters or cracks and tight in the tool.

c.  Electric Power-Operated Tools.  (13-8.c)

(1)  Power tools must be listed by a NRTL for the specific application for which they are to be used.

(2)  Electric power-operated tools must either be of the approved double-insulated type or grounded according to chapter 11.

(3)  GFCI protection must be provided for all outlets serving portable electric hand-tools.

(4)  Do not use electric cords for hoisting or lowering tools.

(5)  Provide an electrical power control on each machine or power tool to make it possible for the operator to cut off the power to the machine or power tool without leaving the point of operation.

(6)  On applications where injury to the operator might result if motors were to restart after power failure, make provisions to prevent machines from automatically restarting upon restoration of power.

(7)  See paragraph 13-8.h for additional requirements for electrically powered saws.