Monday, February 23, 2009

Reduce The Risk Of Power Tool Accidents

All of us understand the importance of safety when operating power tools. The risk of an accident is very possible. There are thousands of accidents reported each year due to carelessness with power tools. There are even some reports of death as a result. Reduce your chances of a power tool accident by using it only for its intended purpose as outlined by the manufacturer. Read up on the owners manual and heed the recommendations for the proper safety equipment to use when operating a particular power tool.

Injuries to fingers are the most common power tool accidents. Approximately half off all finger amputations in the United States each year are due to injuries incurred when operating a power tool. The index and the middle finger are particularly susceptible to accidents. The most common power tool involved in these cases are the various types of saws. 55% of finger injuries occurred while operating the power tool at home.

According to OSHA, the majority of power tool injuries happen due to the power source connection while changing parts on the power tool. Experience with the power tool doesn't seem to matter or how quickly you can change the part. Drill bits and saw blades are the source of most accidents. Unplug the power source. It only takes a moment of your time. If using a cordless power tool, remove the battery prior to changing anything on it. Your safety is worth the inconvenience.

Electrical cords on power tools are another problem. Cordless power tools have eliminated many power tool accidents. If you operate any type of power tool that has a cord, make sure it is secured. You or someone else can trip on the cord if it's left out in the open. There's also the risk of electrocution so don't use cords that are frayed. Pay extra attention to extension cords you may be using as well. Don't let the cords get wet and avoid accidental spills.

Even if you use the power tool as it should be operated and have on the right safety equipment, accidents can happen in the time it takes to blink an eye. Tripping, slipping, or falling while you have a power tool in your hand can result in an injury. There is a story of a young man using a staple gun on a ladder with his safety equipment on when he fell from the ladder and ended up with several long nails in his skull. He's just fortunate he didn’t die from it but, he could have.

Secure your work area to help prevent power tool accidents. Ladders have lockable hinges and should be securely in place. Never work on a floor or any other surface that is slippery or unstable. It is a risk you don’t want to be taking with a power tool in your hand. If you are into DIY woodworking we understand that your work area can be risky even under the best of circumstances but caution and common sense go a long way in reducing risk.

It's not our intent to scare you with this information, only to remind you that power tools are dangerous, and must be used responsibly. DIY home improvement can be fun as well as practical and hopefully all of your experiences with power tools will be safe. Reduce the amount of power tool accidents out there by doing your part.

Manufacturers of power tools are very aware of the types of accidents and injuries that occur with power tools. They work continuosly to make improvements on their power tools to help reduce the risk. Comments are always welcome by most manufacturers, and any ideas you might have to make them safer feel free to contact the manufacturer of that particular power tool.

1 comment:

  1. yes,i think you are right,the safety is very important then use a power tool

    ReplyDelete