Powered hand tools

The main advantages of powered hand tools are the reduction of manual effort and the speeding up of the operation. The operator, being less fatigued, is able to carry out the task more efficiently, and the speeding up of the operation results in lower production costs. Being portable, a powered hand tool can be tciken to the work, which can also lead to a reduction in production costs. Accuracy of metal-removal operations is not as good with powered hand tools, since it is difficult to remove metal from small areeis selectively. A comparison of hand and powered hand tools is shown in Table 23. 

Powered hand tools can be electric or air-operated. In general, electric tools are heavier than the equivalent air tool, due to their built-in motor, e.g. electric screwdrivers weigh 2 kg while an equivalent air-operated screwdriver weighs 0.9 kg. The cost of powered tools is much greater than the equivalent hand tools and must be taken into account when a choice has to be made. 

Air-operated tools can be safely used in most work conditions, while electrical tools should not be used in conditions which are wet or damp or where there is a risk of fire or explosion, such as in flammable or dusty atmospheres. A selection of air-operated tools is shown in Fig. 2.21. 

Electric and air-operated drills are available with a maximum drilling capacity in steel of about 30 mm diameter for electric and about 10 mm diameter for air models. Air-operated tools are more ideally suited to the rapid drilling of the smaller diameter holes. Fig. 2.21(a). 

Used to remove metal from the rough surfaces of forgings, castings and welds usually when the metal is too hard or the amount to be removed is too great for a file or a chisel. Electric and air-operated grinders are available with straight grinding wheels up to 230 nun diameter or with small mounted points of various shapes and sizes. Fig. 2.21 (d). 

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Amputations of exposure include powered hand tools and powered machines. Many industries have this type of injury, as do many occupations. Machine operators are the single most injured occupation for eunputations. 

Since the use of hand tools is physically tiring, it is important that the amount of material to be removed by hand is kept to an absolute minimum and that the correct tool is chosen for the task. Wherever possible, use should be made of the available powered hand tools, not only to reduce fatigue but also to increase the speed of the operation and so reduce the cost. 

Vibration-Isolated Tool Handles. Vibration isolation systems have been applied to a range of powered hand tools, often with dramatic consequences. For example, the introduction of vibration-isolated handles to gasoline-powered chain saws has significantly reduced the incidence of HA VS among professional saw operators. Unfortunately, such systems are not provided for the handles of all consumer-grade chain saws. The principle is the same as that describe for whole-body vibration isolation, but in this case the angular resonance frequency can be 350 rad/s (i.e.,/o 55 Hz) and still effectively reduce chain-saw vibration. The higher resonance frequency results in a static deflection of the saw tip relative to the handles that, with skill, does not impede the utility of the tool. 

Tools, Hand Power — Hand Tool Safety... 

TOOLS, HAND POWER — HAND TOOL SAFETY-1... 

This sign-off sheet documents the names of employees who attended this training session on Tools, Hand Power — Hand Tool Safety at this company, ... 

Fail-Safe Devices Fail-safe devices are safety devices designed to prevent exposure to hazards. They also prevent injury or damage when a system or machine fails. Examples of fail-safe devices are automatic fire doors, air brakes on truck trailers, a dead-man switch on powered hand tools, and safety cans with a spring-closing lid for flammable liquids. 

Geiger, Mark G., Wasserman, Donald, Chervak, Steven G., et al., Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome - Protecting Powered Hand Tool Operators, Professional Scfety, 59 (11), 34- 2 (2014). 

Stonemasoning is an occupation related to multiple health hazards. Stonemasons work in big workshops, mostly unheated at wintertime. They handle heavy loads, causing back injuries. They are exposed to noise and silica dust. To reduce exposure to crystalline silica dust, they use wet methods to keep the dust down. They use powered hand tools that cause hand-arm vibration. 

Pistol grip continuous drive power hand tools with shut off mechanisms exceeding 3Nm (26 in. lbs.) must have torque controlled utilizing a pulse tool, reactionary device or tool arm. 

No. 18 Powered Hand Tools 1 No. 19 Powered Hand Tools 2 No.20 Powered Hand Tools 3 No.54 Woodworking Machinery for Builders (b) Health and Safety Executive, Guidance Notes ... 

It may be impracticable to supply the more powerful hand tools, such as large angle grinders, at extra-low voltage, so section 606-04-04 allows the use of higher voltage tools protected by electrical separation. As already observed, pneumatic or hydraulically powered tools are an alternative. 

Do these operations involve the use of electrically powered hand tools ... 

Powered hand tools are used in warehouses as a matter of course. Hand drills, power saws, banding machines, and staple guns are typical power tools. Here are a few notes of interest regarding the safety of workers when using this equipment. 

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