Chapter 4HAND TOOLS

CONTENTS1. Scope2. Purpose3. Definitions4. Responsibilities5. Instructions6. References7. Attachments

1. SCOPEThis procedure is applicable to all projects construction sites ongoing as well as, to go activities and all areas of work including offices, laboratories, workshops, fabrication yards etc.

2. PURPOSEPurpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines, enlighten/highlight possible hazards and define application of preventive measures/precautions during performance use of hand tools. Generally, minor accidents do happen either due to abuse or mishandling hand tools/power tools. Workers are not well informed about resorting to care required for tools proper use in line to manufacturer’s instructions. Toolbox talks are not regularly conducted by line supervisors.

3. DEFINITIONSDefinitions regarding certain terms1. Safety means safety, health & environment disciplines to support project activities2. Company means an organization carrying out or prosecuting project3. Contractor means organization that has won project from client4. Subcontractor means an organization that has won part of a project work from

Contractor organization5. Client means an organization entitle Company in contractual terms that has

entrusted project to organization of Contractor6. Personnel means all personnel involved on project site activities7. Responsibility means job & contract responsibility8. Training means training imparted for specific safety topic on job on project site9. Management means organization top, middle & lower management10. Safety Manager means a person with job title Safety Manager deployed by certain

organization11. Project Manager means a person as such with PM title deployed by Contractor12. Engineer means a person appointed by client or client company for an overall

project responsibility

Employer Project owner

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Responsibilities in general respecting certain contract positions1. Project Manager responsible for overall obligations, to provide schedule, all

resources, direction, engineering resolutions.2. Site Manager responsible for overall site prosecution management over works &

subcontrcators.3. Site Safety Officer responsible for overall safety management on site & report to

Project Manager / Site Manager / Corporate Safety Manager4. Construction Manager responsible to arrange all safety related resources & provide

site team all requirements5. Project Site Engineer responsible to carry out safety issues within section6. Site Safety Inspector/Engineer responsible to supervise safety measures on site &

control safety issues, should bring to site line management to adopt correct measures.

7. Site Foremen responsible for compliance of safety measures as standards or as directed

8. An individual working on site responsible to maintain safety measures. In case, missing, should bring to site team attention

4. RESPONSIBILITIES4.1 Site Manager

EPC CONTRACTOR site manager is responsible for ensuring that all overall requirements described in procedures are well understood and followed/complied with, to maximum extent feasible.

4.2 HSE ManagerEPC CONTRACTOR HSE manager is responsible for ensuring that EPC CONTRACTOR supervising personnel and all subcontractors’ supervising personnel are familiar with in all respects, about provisions within this procedure.

5 INSTRUCTIONS5.1General

5.1.1 Contractor and Subcontractors shall not issue or permit use of unsafe hand tools.

5.1.2 Wrenches, including adjustable pipe end with socket, shall not be used, when jaws are sprung to point that spillage occurs.

5.1.3 Impact tools such as drift pins, wedges and chisels shall be kept free of mushroomed heads.

5.1.4 Wooden handles of tools shall be kept free of splinters or cracks and must be kept tight in tool.

5.2Power Operated Hand ToolsGeneral5.2.1 Electric power operated tools shall either be of approved double insulated

type or rightly grounded.5.2.2 Extension cords included/provided with portable electric tools and

appliances shall be made of three wire type.5.2.3 Use of electric cords for hoisting or lowering tools shall not be permitted5.2.4 Pneumatic power tools shall be secured to hose or whip by some suitable

anchorage to prevent tool from getting accidentally disconnected.5.2.5 All hoses exceeding 1/2 inch inside diameter shall have a safety device

either at source of supply or at branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

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5.2.6 Fluid used in hydraulic power tools shall be fire resistant and retain its operational characteristics at most extreme temperatures to which, it is susceptible to be exposed to.

5.2.7 Employees well trained in operation of power actuated tools only shall be allowed to operate such particular tool.

5.2.8 Manufacturer’s instructed safe operating pressures for hoses, valves, pipe fittings and other fittings shall not be exceeded.

5.2.9 Tool shall be tested each day before loading to ensure that safety devices are in proper working condition.

5.2.10 Any/All tool found not in proper working order or one that develops a defect during use, shall be removed immediately from service and not used, until properly repaired & tested.

5.2.11 Impact tools shall not be loaded, until just prior to intended firing time. Neither loaded nor empty tools are to be pointed at any employees. Hands shall be kept clear of open barrel end.

5.2.12 Loaded tools shall not be left unattended.5.2.13 Tools shall not be used in an explosive or flammable atmosphere.5.2.14 All tools shall be used with correct shield, guard or attachment

recommended by its manufacturer.5.3Abrasive Wheels and Tools

5.3.1 All grinding machines shall be supplied with sufficient power to maintain spindle speed at safe levels under all conditions of normal operation and should be equipped with safety guards.

5.3.2 Wheel must be inspected and dressed properly.5.3.3 Floor and bench mounted grinders shall be provided with work rests, which

should be rigidly supported and readily adjustable. Such work rests shall be kept or located at a distance not to exceed one eighth of an inch from surface of wheel.

5.3.4 All employees using abrasive wheels shall utilize eye protection gear.5.4 Wood Working Tools

5.4.1 All fixed power driven woodworking tools shall be provided with a disconnected switch that can either be locked or tagged in ‘off ‘position.

5.4.2 All portable, power driven circular saws shall be equipped with guards above and below base plate or shoe.

5.5Jacks – Lever and Ratchet, Screw and Hydraulic5.5.1 Manufacturer’s rated capacity shall be legibly marked on all jacks and must

not be exceeded.5.5.2 All jacks shall have a positive stop to prevent over travel.

5.6Compressed Air Tools5.6.1 Proper fire precautions should be observed in connection with operation of

compressors. If housed in a closed building, adequate ventilation must be provided with exhaust released to atmosphere.

5.6.2 Air supply lines should be protected from damage by vehicles, materials etc. Should be carried across walks and roads overhead or promptly replaced or repaired.

5.6.3 Air supply hose carried overhead or vertically should be supported with a messenger cable, bridging or otherwise.

5.6.4 Earplugs or earmuffs must be worn in case of continuous exposure to high noise levels produced by compressed air equipment.

5.7Manual Tools5.71 General

5.7.1.1 All tools should be kept in safe working condition. Tools stores with suitable storage racks and bins should be provided.

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5.7.1.2 All tools should be kept clean, duly protected against corrosion and damage. Moving and adjustable parts should be lubricated to prevent wear and misalignment.

5.7.1.3 Cutting edges must be kept sharp. Only oilstone or grindstones should be used for tools sharpening.

5.7.1.4 When not in use, tools should be stored in suitable boxes or containers or hung on racks. Cutting edges should be protected. Tools should not be placed where from, they shall roll off benches or tables. Heavy tools should be placed, where they would not be tripped over.

5.7.1.5 All damaged or worn tools should be promptly and correctly repaired. Temporary and makeshift repairs should be prohibited.

5.7.1.6 Use right tool for job. Weight, size and type of tool should be selected to fit job at hand.

5.7.1.7 All handles should be tightly fitted. Wood handles should be checked carefully and tightened with wedges when necessary. Also, should be checked for splitting and cracking.

5.7.1.8 Most hand tools are conductors of electricity. Extreme caution must be exercised, when working around electrical circuits. Insulated and non conducting tools should be tested frequently, under expert supervision.

5.7.1.9 In presence of flammable materials or explosive dusts and vapours, non sparking tools should be used.

5.8Hammers5.8.1 Head of hammer should be firm, shaft not split, face be true and not

chipped.5.8.2 Points of clinched nails should be turned up before drawing is

attempted. When a nail has been partly withdrawn, a small block must be placed under head of hammer.

5.9Wrenches5.9.1 A wrench must not be used as a hammer.5.9.2 Pipe or stilson wrenches should not be used as monkey wrenches.5.9.3 Jaw corrugations on stilson wrenches must be kept sharp and clean.

Handles and adjusting screws must be kept in good condition.5.9.4 Wrenches should always be placed on nuts with jaw opening facing

direction in which, handle shall move. Pull, do not push.5.10 Chisels

5.10.1 A chisel should be large enough for job and driven with a hammer of sufficient weight.

5.10.2 Use proper chisel for material being cut.5.10.3 A chisel should be held with steady but, relaxed grip.5.10.4 Eyes should be kept on edge of chisel.5.10.5 Mushroomed chisels and cracked or broken chisels handles should be

repaired or replaced.5.10.6 Goggles should be worn when chipping, which chippings must land

away from person undertaking chipping. Both person working and other person may be protected with adequate screening.

5.10.7 When sharpening, original shape and angle must be maintained.5.11 Punches

5.11.1 Punches should be straight, suitable and heavy enough for work.5.11.2 Points of centre punches should be accurately grounded at all times.

Starting and pin punches should be squared.

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5.11.3 Punches should be started with light taps and held securely, especially on rounded surfaces.

5.11.4 When knocking out rivets, pin work must begin with starting punch and finish with a pin punch.

5.12 Screwdrivers5.12.1 Do not use a screwdriver as a chisel/ as a play bar or for any other

purpose than that intended for.5.12.2 Keep tip ground properly, squared across with square rather than

tapered sides.5.12.3 Select screwdriver to fit size of screw being driven. Do not grind to a

fine point to fit all screw heads.5.12.4 Handles should fit shank tightly.5.12.5 Keep shank directly over screw being driven. Do not lean on

screwdriver. Do not push with more force than necessary to keep contact with screw.

5.13 Hand Saws5.13.1 Teeth and blades must be kept properly set and teeth protected when

not in use.5.13.2 Saw must be held firmly, cut started carefully and slowly to avoid

jumping of blade.5.13.3 To start a cut, a rip saw is held at a 60 deg. Angle with board, a cross

cut saw at a 45 deg. Angle.5.13.4 Material being cut must be checked for nails, knots and other objects

that may damage saw.5.13.5 Pieces being cut should be held firmly in place.5.13.6 If long pieces are being cut, a helper or a supporting bench should be

used.5.14 Hacksaw

5.14.1 Correct blade should be selected for material to be cut. Blade teeth should point forward.

5.14.2 Blade should be rigid and frame properly aligned.5.14.3 Strong, steady strokes directed/moved away from user should be

employed. Entire length of blade should be used for each stroke.5.14.4 Thin flat pieces should not be cut from edge to edge and securely

clamped.5.15 Pliers

5.15.1 Never use pliers as wrenches.5.15.2 Cutting pliers should be used only for cutting soft metals. Never use

pliers on hardened metals or as nail puller.5.15.3 Pliers should be used only, when no other tool can do job.

5.16 Picks and Mattocks5.16.1 Handles should be free of splinters, splits and cracks.5.16.2 Head should be firmly affixed to handle.5.16.3 When in use, it must be ascertained that area at rear and on sides is

clear, when swinging pick or mattock.5.17 Shovels and Spades

5.17.1 Blades should be sharp and free of jagged and split edges.5.17.2 Handles should be free of splinters, cracks and splits.

5.18 Trucks, wheelbarrows5.18.1 Hand trucks and wheel barrows should be selected for job.5.18.2 Their frames should be strong and straight.5.18.3 Wheels are strong and well secured to frame.

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5.18.4 Bodies must be kept clean and free of jagged edges. Extreme care must be exercised, when using ramps and walkways.

6 REFERENCESB.S7 ATTACHMENTSN.A.

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