10 Tips for Operating New Power Tools

We’re betting that there are quite a few of “Do It Yourself’ers,” “Weekend Warriors,” or others who are hoping that Santa brings them some power tools this year. You may be someone who wants to try a new hobby or save money by repairing broken things around the house without calling a professional. We want to share ten things that you should pay attention to in order to possibly avoid an emergency room visit.

1. Know what you are doing, or don’t do it! Practice makes perfect. Even if you know what you are doing, taking a class ahead of time could pay big dividends. Power tools are hazardous when improperly used. You should be trained in using all tools, not just power tools. Know the potential hazards as well as the safety precautions to prevent the hazards from happening.

2. Plan ahead. Visualize the project and think of anything that might be dangerous about it. For example, if you’re going to cut something, practice saw safety. Experts will tell you to ask questions and fine-tune your level of concentration when using power tools, and choose your projects based on knowledge, time, cost, and risk. Tools are not your friends. You must get to know how to use them, put the blades in correctly, clean and care for them and operate them correctly. Otherwise, they can stick, stab, cut, or kill you.

3. Dress for success. If you wear the proper safety gear for the intended project, you can decrease the risk for injury. Cover up. These should be included in your safety gear:

• Safety glasses – They come in all shapes and sizes, including sun protection, and keep mists, paints, and dust out of your eyes.
• Earplugs and muffs – These protect you from hearing loss.
• Respirators – When using toxic or caustic chemicals or cutting fluids, a respirator will reduce the risk of injury or death from airborne hazards.
• Kneepads – If you are kneeling on hard surfaces, you can’t do without these!
• Gloves and shoes – Cover your hands and feet to decrease injury due to everything from chemical exposure to sharp objects.
• Coveralls – Coveralls keep clothing from getting caught in machines and are flame-retardant. If you spill something on your clothing, you are going to take it into your home and car. Cotton and denim are good choices if you do not have coveralls.

4. Never wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get caught in the tool.

5. Know about electricity. Use an electrical tester to ensure that your power is off at the circuit for minor repairs. Unless you are an electrician or an electrical engineer, you shouldn’t try to do electrical wiring.

6. Have your “work space” neat and clean. It’s the same as for those who work in manufacturing: clutter and debris can cause slips, trips, falls, and falling objects. Floors should be kept as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental falls around dangerous hand and power tools.

7. Keep family and observers at a safe distance while you are working.

8. Tools should be maintained with care – kept sharp and clean in order to perform well. Follow instructions in the users manual for lubricating and changing accessories.

9. If portable electric tools are damaged, they should not be used until repaired.

10. Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance.

Read More

Got Eye Protection?

Safety standards cover various kinds and classes of eye and face protection, including glasses with and without side shields, eyecup goggles, goggles, welding helmets, and face shields. Safety glasses are both non-prescription and prescription, and are common items of personal protective equipment, PPE. Some look like regular glasses, and are available in sleek frames that offer protection, as well as looking stylish, yet less expensive as those found in optical stores. Special tasks such as grinding, woodworking, chemical spraying, degreasing and gas cutting and welding require safety goggles. When choosing goggles, be sure that they seal around the face – there should be no gaps. Goggles should have an adjustable strap. Do not pull the strap so tight that the lens distorts your vision or the goggles hurt your face.

Be sure that the safety eyewear is appropriate for the particular hazards of the job. For those that work where there is debris flying around in the air, goggles would be the best choice. Some glasses work well with side shields, which fit the temple of the frames and protect the sides of the eyes. There are safety glasses that fit over prescription glasses  (OTG's). A qualified person should assist in the proper fitting of protective eyewear. Special attention must be paid to the eye, temple areas, and bridge. If glasses are not secure, they will slip down the nose when the head is tilted downward.

Women who wear safety goggles and glasses often have more problems with fit and comfort. Some goggles are “one size fits all”, and may be too big. This can be a serious health and safety hazard if gaps around the seal to the face allow flying objects and particles, sparks, chemicals, or other substances to enter the eye area. Fogging of the lenses is common and can lead to accidents; this may be the result of poor ventilation. Mishaps can occur if the wearer takes his/her goggles off to clear them and is hit by flying debris, or if she/he cannot see well enough to do work properly.

The company should require that their employees have their eyes checked annually by a doctor to determine if and what kind of prescription eyewear is needed. For those who work outdoors, safety glasses that furnish UV protection are a must. These lenses are also helpful in protecting the eyes from bright sand, snow, or the reflections off lakes or rivers. Texas America Safety Company features small safety glasses that fit women, small men and children. Companies have long been designing vests, coveralls, harnesses, glasses, hardhats, work boots, and all types of safety gear for smaller men and working gals. Our military, as well as women in law enforcement, also want their female personnel dressed in appropriately fitting uniforms. Some or many types of PPE are needed in most occupations. Look for the best fit in safety glasses to protect your vision for the job you choose.

Read More