What Are the Four Main Things With Power Tool Safety?

All power tools, including a basic drill, pose potential safety hazards.Hand yelow drill isolated image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com

Proper power tool safety begins well before you ever click a tool's "ON" button. Improperly used power tools can cause both physical injury and death, in both the workplace and the home. Follow several key guidelines to ensure that you enjoy accident-free time when working with power tools.

Know And Use The Tool Properly

A basic, common-sense prerequisite to safe power tool operation is to familiarize yourself with each tool's uses and the safety directives that are included with the tool. Read and follow the instruction manual if it is available. If no manual is available, conduct an Internet search of the particular tool that you intend to use, or call a local home-improvement supply store and garner information from a store worker. When carrying a power tool, never carry it by the cord. When using the tool, never use it for tasks that the tool is not designed to do. For powered saws, use the proper blade for the particular material that is being cut. Also, never remove or tamper with a tool's safety mechanisms, such as safety guards.

Before using a power tool, conduct a visual examination to make certain that the tool is in proper working condition. Check, for example, for a frayed electrical cord or damaged plug on the tool. Make sure that the handle by which you will grip the tool is secure. Repair any damaged parts before operating the tool. If a power tool has a cutting edge, such as on a handheld powered saw, make sure to maintain sharp blades on the tool. When you are not using a power tool, be sure to unplug the cord from the power outlet, and don't yank the cord out. Properly store your power tools when you are not using them in a tool box or tool chest, preferably locked. Label any tool that needs repairs before you store it away so as to prevent using a faulty tool unknowingly in the future.

Do not wear loose-fitting clothing that could get caught in the moving parts of a power tool. Also, remove any jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces which could easily become entangled in the tool as you are operating it. Wear eye protection when using a power tool to prevent any possible risk of debris or objects injuring your eyes. Follow any safe-dressing methods that are outlined in a tool's instruction manual. Keep handy safety goggles, work gloves, dust masks and any other protective equipment that is needed.

Make sure that you always operate a power tool under proper working conditions. For instance, avoid potential accidents and miscues by making certain that there is adequate lighting that is free of shadows in the entire work area. Do not operate a power tool if you are tired, upset or otherwise distracted from fully concentrating on the task at hand.