COMPLETE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY SERVICES (C.H.E.S.S.)
Toolin' Around (Part One) by Janet L. Keyes, CIH and Carol A. Keyes, CSP
Most of the tools in your shop are probably owned by your technicians. But you provide some. And because the tools are in your shop, you have responsibility for their safe use. Seems unfair? Employees work under your direction and control. OSHA explicitly states that “Each employer shall be responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, including tools and equipment which may be furnished by employees.” If an employee has a heat gun with a cord so damaged that it is held together with electrical tape, do not allow its use in your shop. The employee is free to take it home (while you certainly don’t want him to electrocute himself at home, you don’t have control there). But if he uses it in your shop and is shocked, you will pay for his injuries. The requirements aren’t complicated: • Keep tools in good condition. • Electrical tools have to be grounded or double-insulated. • Keep guards in place and correctly adjusted. • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Tools need to be kept in good condition. The most common problems we see are to electrical cords and plugs. If the grounding pin breaks off or the cord insulation is damaged, the risk of shock or fire increases and the tool should not be used. The best way to repair a damaged
tool cord is to have it fixed by a factory authorized service center. Why? Because that maintains the tool’s UL listing (or equivalent). Covering up damage with tape is not a fix – electrical tape lacks the same insulating ability and flexibility as the original cord jacket. Electrical tools need to be UL listed or equivalent. That means that the tool meets safety standards established by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is the best known, but not the only one. FM is another. OSHA certifies NRTLs, recognizing them as qualified to certify the equipment. That requirement leads to a caution: if you want to replace the cord or plug on a certified tool, you might be violating the manufacturer’s instructions. If the tool’s equipment manual says that all repairs need to be made by a factory authorized service center, then replacing the cord yourself would result in the tool no longer being certified. Electrical tools must be grounded or double-insulated. Grounded tools have a three-prong plug. If the tool is double-insulated, its plug will have only two blades, but the tool will be marked as double-insulated or will have a box within a box symbol. Grounded tools help prevent their users from getting shocked – they provide a better path to ground than the human body. Double insulated tools have all electrical parts isolated from the outside non-conductive case. If the wiring shorts, the user will not be shocked. Stay tuned for Part Two next month!
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AASP-MN News
March 2021 | 19
