715 Electrical Safety for Technicians and Supervisors

Proper Hand and Power Tool Use

Hand and power tools help you do your job with a high degree of quality. Tools can do something else, too. They can cause injury or even death! You must use the right tools for the job. Proper maintenance of tools and other equipment is very important. Inadequate maintenance can cause equipment to deteriorate, creating dangerous conditions. Be sure to use the following safe work practices when using hand and power tools:

• Inspect tools before using them - Check for cracked casings, dents, missing or broken parts, and contamination (oil, moisture, dirt, corrosion). Damaged tools must be removed from service and properly tagged. These tools should not be used until they are repaired and tested.
• Use the right tool correctly - Use tools correctly and for their intended purposes. Follow the safety instructions and operating procedures recommended by the manufacturer. When working on a circuit, use approved tools with insulated handles.
• Protect your tools - Keep tools and cords away from heat, oil, and sharp objects. These hazards can damage insulation. If a tool or cord heats up, stop using it! Report the condition to a supervisor or instructor immediately. If equipment has been repaired, make sure that it has been tested and certified as safe before using it. Never carry a tool by the cord. Disconnect cords by pulling the plug-not the cord!
• Use double-insulated tools - Portable electrical tools are classified by the number of insulation barriers between the electrical conductors in the tool and the worker. The NEC permits the use of portable tools only if they have been approved by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL Listed). Equipment that has two insulation barriers and no exposed metal parts is called double-insulated. When used properly, double-insulated tools provide reliable shock protection without the need for a third ground wire. Power tools with metal housings or only one layer of effective insulation must have a third ground wire and three-prong plug.
• Use multiple safe practices - Remember: A circuit may not be wired correctly. Wires may contact other "hot" circuits. Someone else may do something to place you in danger. Take all possible precautions.

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