Hand Tool Safety

Safe Work Practice (SWP):
SWP 001(b): Hand Tool Safety
Aalborg Portland Malaysia

Health & Safety Department
Ipoh Plant.
Version History
Version Approved By Revision Date Description of Revision Action
0.0 Aldo Sept 2017 - Implement by
Oct 2017
Add specify safety reequipment for Implement by
1.0 Aldo April 2019 May 2019
each hand tools
SWP 001 (b): Hand Tools
Hand Tool Safety
1. Purpose
The purpose of this quality procedure is to establish a set of requirements to ensure the risks of using
hand / power tools are mitigated.
2. Scope
This Procedure applies to Aalborg Portland Malaysia employees, contractors and visitors on Aalborg
Portland Malaysia plant and Aalborg Resource Quarry.
3. References
• Occupational Safety & Health Act 1994
• OSHA 3080 “Hand Tool & Power Tool Safety”, 2002
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), UK.
4. Definition
Hand Tool - A tool held in the hand and operated without electricity or other power.
5. Safe Use Practice

Hand tools include a wide variety of non-powered devices such as hammer, spanners & shifters,
pliers, cutter, knives and screwdrivers. These tools may seem harmless, but they are the cause of
many injuries.
The TWO most common hazards associated with the use of hand tools are misuse and improper
maintenance.
• Misuse occurs when a hand tool is used for something other than its intended purpose.
(An example would be using a screwdriver as a chisel. This may cause the tip to break
and strike someone).
• Improper maintenance allows hand tools to deteriorate into an unsafe condition.
(Examples would include cracked wooden handles that allow the tool head to fly off or
mushroomed heads that can shatter upon impact).
5.1. General Safety Practice for Hand Tool

• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use damaged tools.
• Provide and use properly the right personal protective equipment.
• Never modify or alter a tool from its original manufacturers design.
Page 2 of 7
5.1. General Safety Practice for Hand Tool (continue).

• Never use a tool that is prohibited from plant.
• If in doubt stop the task and seek further advice from Supervisor or Head of Department
before recommencing.
5.2. Hammer
Claw Hammer Slash Hammer Frame Hammer Club Hammer
• Use the right type and size hammer for the job. Never use pipes, steel rods, flat bar or
scaffold pipes for hammering.
• Strike the surface squarely. Do not strike the surface at an angle. The hammer face should
contact the striking surface squarely. Glancing blows made with a hammer often lead to
injury.
• Control the Hammer. Holding it at end of the handle. Beginners have tendency to choke
up on the handle, reducing the force of the blow and prevent hit glancing blow.
• Be sure target is stationery and firm.
• Keep Hammers clean and in good condition. Never use hammers if the head come loose,
one with cracked handle or mushroom head. Remove from service.
5.3. Spanner & Wrench
Fixed Spanner Adjustable Spanner Wrench Torque wrench
• Right size spanner. Use spanner that properly fits the fastener that is to be turned. Using
the correct size reduces the chances of slippage.
• Avoid use extension. Do not use pipes to extend the spanner to improve the leverage.
Don’t place your body in the “line of fire” in case of unexpected movement.
• Pull or push. Pull rather than push on a wrench. Use open palm to push n wrench when
could not pull it.
• Impact wrench. Do not turn on the impact wrench unless the socket is installed on a nut or
bolt.
• Inspect tool. Inspect spanners, wrench, impact wrench and sockets periodically for
damage such as cracking, severe wear, or distortion.
Page 3 of 7
5.4. Knives & Cutter
Pocket knives Fixed blade knives Blade cutter Flexible blade knives
• Resistant gloves. Always wear resistant gloves while handling with knives or cutter.
• A sharp blade is safer. Dull or blunt blade lead to the blade to slip from object being cut
and cause serious injury.
• Keep finger away from path. Do not put your finger on the pathway where the blade is
moved, as any slip can cause cut.
• Put the other hand away. No need to put your hand right by the knives \ blade when you
cut.
• Retract blades. Ensure the blades retract from the cutter after use and before kept. Never
use flexible blade knives prohibited.
5.5. Plier
Combination plier Diagonal cutter Long nose plier Tongue groove plier
• Grips. Use plier with soft, non-slip grip.

• Hold bold \ nuts. Never use plier to hold bolt and nuts use a wrench or appropriate socket.
• Not as hammer. Do not substitute plier for hammer, such abuse will cause cracks or
breaks.
• Use near electric supply. Rubber will not protect from electric shock. So, it’s advisable to
turn off any electricity and use lockouts.
• Hammer plier to cut. Never hammer the plier to complete a cut. Choose larger plier and
cut at right angle.
• Chipping from cutting. Mandatory to wear safety glass while perform cutting work with
plier to protect from projected chip.
Page 4 of 7
5.6. Screwdrivers
Flat screwdriver Philip screwdriver Interchangeable Insulated screwdriver

screwdriver
• Correct screwdriver. Choose in between flat head of Philips screwdriver to be use.

• Not as chisel. Never use screwdriver as pry bar or chisel, also not as punches, wedges or
pinch bars
• Check the grip. Ensure the grip insulated for screwdriver use for electrical work. Check
the grip not damaged and free from grease and oil.
• Not slip. Cross-slot (Phillips head) screwdrivers are safer than the square bit type,
because they have fewer tendencies to slip.
• Damaged tip. Replace a screwdriver if the tip is chipped, bent, broken or rounded off
5.7. Chisel & Punch
Cold chisel Round nose chisel Hollow punch set Belt hollow punch
• Shall heavy. The chisel should be made heavy enough so that it will not buckle or spring
when struck.
• Use correct size chisel. The chisel should be made heavy enough so that it will not buckle
or spring when struck.
• Working with cold chisel. The cold chisel should be held steadily but with a relatively
loose grip and with the palm of the hand facing the user and the point of the chisel
directed away.
• Crack of chisel head. Use hammer which only heavy enough to do the job should be, not
excessive which may cause damage to the handle.
• Flying chips. Employees are required to wear safety goggles when using a chisel and
should set up a shield or screen to prevent injury to other employees from flying chips.
• Slip off. Precaution should take while strike the punch, where it may slip cause hit
injury or cuts.
Page 5 of 7
5.8. Saws
Crosscut saw Hacksaw Copping saw Back saw
• Prevent breaking. Hacksaws should be adjusted in the frame to prevent buckling and
breaking but should not be tight enough to break off the pins that support the blade.
• Apply pressure. Pressure should be applied on the forward stroke not on the back
stroke.
• Twisted blade. If the blade is twisted or too much pressure is applied, the blade
may break and cause injury to the hands or arms of the user.
5.9. Special Coating removal tool
Coating clean tool (long spade)
• Authorize tool. Only use tool authorize to clear the blockage, tools which requested
to use by the supervisor.
• Long handle. Use tool with long handle to break coatings manually to avoid
splash of material and to keep adequate distance from moving belts.
• Grip. Tool fabricated for the use of coating removal should have “bar” for griping
• Dented or damage shall prohibit. Never use tool which already dented or broken
which expose to cuts or bodily injury.
• Misuse. Shall not use to other mean off work other then intended cleaning of the
block.
6. Potential Risks
• Sharp edges • Flying debris \ chips • Impact \ crush

• Splinters • Noise levels • Kickback
• Misuse • Mushroom heads • Burns
Page 6 of 7
7. Other Requirements
7.1. Care & Storage

• Clean. Keep clean all the tool, remove any oil or grease stains.
• Protection cap. Tools with sharp or precision edges shall be stored with their own
protection caps.
• Storage facility. Have proper storage facility to keep the hand tools include storage boxes
or lined boxes.
• Audit. Check hand tools on regular basis for any damages, crack or worn out, remove
unsafe tools from use.
7.2. Housekeeping
• After use, return all tooling and fixtures to the correct storage location.
• Ensure the equipment and work area are in a safe, clean and tidy state after job is
completed.
• Return surplus material to stock & dispose of waste material in an appropriate recycling
or waste bin.
Page 7 of 7

Hand Tool Safety - SWP 001 (B)

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Safe Work Practice (SWP):

SWP 001(b): Hand Tool Safety

Aalborg Portland Malaysia

5. Safe Use Practice

5.1. General Safety Practice for Hand Tool

5.1. General Safety Practice for Hand Tool (continue).

Claw Hammer Slash Hammer Frame Hammer Club Hammer

5.3. Spanner & Wrench

Fixed Spanner Adjustable Spanner Wrench Torque wrench

5.4. Knives & Cutter

• Grips. Use plier with soft, non-slip grip.

Flat screwdriver Philip screwdriver Interchangeable Insulated screwdriver

• Correct screwdriver. Choose in between flat head of Philips screwdriver to be use.

5.7. Chisel & Punch

Crosscut saw Hacksaw Copping saw Back saw

5.9. Special Coating removal tool

Coating clean tool (long spade)

• Sharp edges • Flying debris \ chips • Impact \ crush

7.1. Care & Storage

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