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810 Hand and Power Tool Safety
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Unsafe Work Practices

Equally important as safe work practices, unsafe work practices must be understood and strictly avoided.

Do Not Do This

Follow these work practice "don'ts" while operating power tools:

  • Don't carry a tool by the cord.
  • Don't yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle.
  • Don't force a tool by applying too much pressure.
  • Don't hold fingers on the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
  • Don't use a power tool before it has reached operating speed or while it is coming to a stop.
  • Don't wear gloves when operating grinders and other power tools with rotating parts.
  • Don't allow wires, cords, or other objects that could get caught in equipment.
  • Don't wear rings, necklaces, or bracelets: remove them.
  • Don't stand directly behind the equipment.
  • Don't use blades that are cracked or kinked.
  • Don't use electric tools in damp or wet locations unless they are approved for that purpose.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-4. When operating grinders and other power tools with rotating parts, _____.