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812 OSHA Focus Four Hazards
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General Safe Work Practices

Employer Responsibilities

Your employer is responsible for ensuring:

  • all hand tools are maintained in good condition;
  • the use of unsafe hand tools is not permitted (i.e., no sprung jaws on wrenches, no mushroomed heads, no splinters or cracks in wooden handles, no loose parts/heads of tools);
  • saws are equipped with guards and have a constant pressure switch that will shut off the power when the pressure is released;
  • safety guards are on all abrasive wheel bench and stand grinders;
  • all powder-actuated tools are tested daily before use and all defects discovered before or during use are corrected;
  • powder-actuated tools are not loaded until immediately before use and loaded tools are not left unattended;
  • compressed air used for cleaning purposes is reduced to less than 30 pounds per square inch (psi) and provide effective chip guarding and PPE;
  • all materials stored in tiers are secured to prevent sliding, falling, or collapsing; and
  • toeboards are erected along the edge of overhead walking/working surfaces.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-7. Compressed air used for cleaning purposes is must be reduced _____.