Hand tools continue to be vital instruments for technicians. From basic hand tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, ratchets) to specialty hand tools (oil filter wrenches, wheel weight pliers, O-ring removers, clip lifters), there are hundreds available for technicians to choose from and all are designed to make their jobs easier.
As common as hand tools are in day-to-day jobs for technicians, they can still pose hazards in a busy work environment. As with any type of tool or piece of equipment, there is a need for safety awareness and training. It is important to be aware of potential hand tool dangers to prevent incidents from happening and utilize best practices to keep yourself – and everyone else in the shop – safe.
Don’t do this…
There are two main causes for hand tool misuse and even injury: using a tool incorrectly, and improper maintenance.
As straightforward as hand tools may seem, it is essential for technicians to learn how to properly use each one before first using it on a job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employees should be trained in the proper use of all tools, and hand tools are to be operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
“We have been told as technicians our entire career not to use a screwdriver as a pry bar, yet a large percentage of technicians do,” says Brin Kline, owner of Assured Auto Works in Melbourne, Florida. “It’s a no-no. The blade on the screwdriver can chip and that can fly into your eye or someone else’s.”
Unfortunately, there are many incidents where technicians use tools in unsafe situations.
“Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt,” says Chuck Loparo, director of sales and marketing at Midwest Tool, a hand tool manufacturer. Loparo is also an active member of the Hand Tool Institute (HTI), a trade association comprised of members from North American manufacturers of non-powered hand tools. “A large part of HTI’s mission is that we want people to use [hand] tools properly so there is a lot less risk of injury.”
Loparo shares three common scenarios in which he has experienced technicians using hand tools incorrectly:
- Adding extension to a tool to get more leverage, such as putting a pipe wrench on the end of a tool. This puts the tool in a situation to fail, which then can cause harm to the technician.
- Using any tool as a striking tool.
- Exposing a tool to heat, which then damages the tool’s durability. For example, a technician uses a hand tool as a method to hold an object when using a torch to heat up seized bolts. That exposure undoes the manufacturer’s heat treating, causing the tool to become brittle. The tool can then shed and eventually break.
Repetitive use and damage to tools can cause serious injury. When not properly cared for, hand tools also pose a hazard. Dull knives, splinters in wooden handles, cracked tips, etc. are all examples that can be easily addressed if kept well maintained and stored appropriately.
Do this…
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is up to shop owners and technicians to work together to establish best practices for hand tool use within their shops. Creating an environment where safety is at the forefront and is encouraged reduces the risk of injuries, which then increases shop productivity. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Reminding technicians about common hand tool safety is a great start. Shop owners can use visual reminders such as posters, brochures, or videos around the shop or in the break room, as well as discuss safety during staff meetings.
OSHA adds these reminders when it comes to using hand tools.
- Do not use tools for jobs they are not intended to do.
- Do not apply excessive force or pressure on tools.
- Do not cut towards yourself when using cutting tools.
- Do not wear bulky gloves to operate hand tools.
- Do not use tools for electrical work unless they are designed for electrical work.
Assured Auto Works’ Kline says a best practice is to “Always be mindful of what you are doing.” For example, when using a pry bar, make sure it is in a position where it won’t slip. The same goes for using a wrench; be aware of what would happen if it were to slide off, he notes.
“There was one time where the oil filter was super tight, and I was using an oil filter pliers to loosen it,” Kline says. “It slipped and my hand was cut fairly bad from something under the car. So, consider what could happen if a tool slips. You don’t want to bust your knuckles.”
To reach newer and younger technicians, HTI plans to build an online video library in 2020 comprised of proper hand tool use categorized by type of tool such as wrenches, pliers, hammers, cutting tools, etc. The video library will be hosted on the HTI website, hti.org, and be available to all members to utilize.
When it comes to tool maintenance and safety, it is equally important to care for hand tools to ensure longevity and durability. One best practice is to keep hand tools well maintained and stored appropriately to safeguard the tools’ condition.
This means not leaving tools out in the environment or around water to prevent corrosion, as well as examining each tool before each use for signs of damage.
Also, wiping down tools at the end of each use or shift can prevent incidents from happening the next time they are used. For example, remove any grease from handles to avoid slippage.
As tempting and as simple as it may seem to pick up a hand tool and get to work, remember that there are safety reminders and training in place for a reason. No job or deadline is worth the risk of getting injured. Proper hand tool use and care keeps everyone safe.
