By Jim Salmon
The experts’ say; the following are responsible for almost all of the emergency room visits related to simple hand tool operation.
Wear safety goggles- eye injuries resulted in over 30,000 hospital visits last year with some resulting in the loss of an eye.
Select and use the proper tool for the job – With many different categories of hammers and striking tools to choose from, be sure to select the one right for a specific job.
Keep tools in good condition – Tools in good shape do a better job and are safer to use. Especially keeping hand tools sharpened. A dull tool is very dangerous because you have to apply so much more pressure to make it work. It then becomes unstable and can slip causing an injury.
Never use a hammer with a chipped face or damaged handle – A loose hammerhead flying off a damaged handle is extremely hazardous. Likewise, if the face shows dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming or signs of excessive wear – discard it. That goes for any striking or struck tool.
Educate all persons in the home on the proper use of hand tools – How a tool is used is just as important as what kind of tool you have chosen for a particular job. Tools should not be accessible to those who haven’t been briefed on their proper use and selection.
Can you imagine trying to get a modern teenager to listen to you brief them on hand tool safety? And to actually pay attention!