Chapter 2 Safety 27 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Power Tools Power tools are designed to make your job easier, but they also introduce additional safety risks. Power cords and moving parts are two potential hazards. Be sure that the tool is switched to the off position before plugging it in. Inspect the cords for damage regularly. If the insulation becomes damaged or the cord cut, do not splice or wrap it with electrical tape. This is not a proper repair. Install a new cord to maintain the original safety of the tool. Hand Tools Injuries commonly caused by hand tools include cuts and puncture wounds. The pri- mary risk of hand tools often is related to the force you apply to them. If you are bearing down on a screwdriver or pushing hard on a cutting tool, and the tool slips, where will it land? Always ask yourself this question to make sure that if the tool slips it will not injure you or a coworker. Insulated Tools You should always turn the power off before working on electrical equipment. This is the simplest preventive measure you can take to guard against electrical shock. There may be times when you need to work on equipment with the power on. In these rare instances, you should use insulated tools and the proper PPE (personal protective equipment). Insulated tools have a nonconductive cover- ing that prevents the transfer of electricity from the tool to the user. Just because a tool has a nonmetallic coating or plastic handles does not mean that the tool will protect you from electrical shock. The tool must be iden- tified as an insulated tool that is capable of resisting a specific amount of electricity. See Figure 2-10. 2.2.4 Safe Work Methods There are many tasks that you will perform repeatedly throughout your electrical train- ing and career. Adopting safe work hab- its with these tasks will greatly reduce the chance of injury. Keep in mind that staying safe not only allows you to be a productive worker, it also helps ensure you can enjoy life outside of work. Lifting and Carrying Improper lifting is a major cause of back inju- ries in the workplace. Bending over to pick up something and twisting your back while lifting are sure ways to invite back pain. This pain can quickly escalate to the point where you may not be able to get out of bed, and that means a day of lost wages. To reduce the risk of back injury, always follow the basic rules of lifting shown in Figure 2-11. Good Housekeeping Often, it may seem logical to clean your work site only at the end of the day or even the end of the week. After all, it is during this cleanup time that you tend to think about everything you accomplished that day and all of the tasks you need to do tomorrow. However, it is just as important to maintain a clean site throughout the day. Working in an untidy area leads to tripping hazards, lost tools and materials, and general disorganiza- tion, all of which waste time and increase the chance of accidents. Klein Tools, Inc. Figure 2-10. A tool is considered insulated only if the manufacturer has certified it at a specific level of electricity. Insulated Pliers Standard Pliers