Tools are highly useful items to get lot of work done on various occasions and in several types of sensitive requirements. However, the handling of tools had to be done with great care. Tools can cause injuries and accidents, even proving fatal, if handled without adequate precautions and protections. Here are some guidelines on safe handling of tools, with major procedures and regulations related to tools safety. Tool hiring service providers as well as those who hire such tools should be conversant with the regulations laid down by the Health & Safety Executive of the UK government and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents or ROSPA.

Working in Confined Spaces

On several occasions, people are constrained to work in closed spaces ranging from storage vessels to complex plants. Accidents and deaths occur many times in such environments. Not only those who work in such confined spaces but those who try to rescue those that are trapped are also affected seriously, if proper precautions are not taken. Several personal health & safety products like respiratory products, gas detectors, security chests and other access products that help people to climb heights or reach low levels are available. All the personnel working in confined spaces should be provided with such tools, wherever needed. They should also be provided with detailed training on using these products, as well as about the general precautions that should be taken whilst working in such places.

Working at Heights

Data from the Health & Safety Executive show that falling from heights in construction sites is the largest killer in the construction and other services industries. If the height of working exceeds 2 meters, then precautionary measures become important. According to standard industry regulations, main guardrails of a minimum height of 910 mm, toe boards of more than 150 mm height and intermediate guardrails to ensure that the gaps are no bigger than 470 mm had to be put in place. Safety nets and harnesses definitely reduce the risk of the quantum of injuries. Adequate care should be taken that safety harnesses are worn by all the workers operating at heights.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome or HAVS

Hand arm vibration syndrome is a major hasard in the construction industry. Most of the tools hiring service providers supply calculators that help the users identify exposure levels for each tool. These calculators allow you to find out the length of the time that a particular product can be used safely without any risk to the hand or the arm. Several tools are also fitted with anti-vibration guards that increase the time of using these machines. Some of the normal precautions that can be taken in using hand-operated tools are listed below.

• Hands should be kept dry and warm

• Gloves should be worn wherever needed

• Fingers should have adequate blood circulation

• Tools should not be gripped too tightly, the action must be natural

• The drill bits or blades should be sharp so that the work is done faster and there is less strain on the hand or arm

• Regular breaks must be taken in between working, depending on the severity of the job

• Any numbness or tingling in the fingers or hands should be reported immediately to the persons in-charge after stopping the work

Similarly, adequate protection should be taken against the risks from noise, lighting, dust, manual handling of heavy equipments, usage of power tools, slipping, tripping, etc. You can discuss with out specialists for further information on all the safety procedures and regulations in using tools that are hired or owned by you.