Tools are essential, but if you know anyone who’s hammered their finger instead of a nail or punctured themselves with a power drill, you know accidents happen. Experienced pros may think injury risks don’t apply to them, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40,000 hand tool and power tool accidents result in work absences each year — and those numbers don’t include injuries from personal tool use. Brushing up on hand and power tool safety best practices is a smart way to keep your hands, eyes and other body parts intact.

10 general tool safety tips

No matter what tool you’re using, many of these tips for hand and power tools apply.

1. Inspect tools before use. Check for wear or damage that could affect the tool’s performance, including cracked jaws or handles, loose screws, loose wedges (such as the wedges that secure a hammer head), mushroomed heads (think chisels), dull cutting edges, splintered handles and damaged cords.

2. Choose the right tool for the job. Use a tool only for its intended purpose. For example, don’t use a wrench as a hammer or a chisel as a screwdriver just because it’s close at hand.

3. Clean and store tools properly. After every use, clean the tool to remove debris such as sawdust, dirt or grease. Store it in a dry place. Don’t accidentally leave tools out in the rain.

4. Keep sharp tools sharp. A dull chisel requires more force to cut or chip, which could lead to a slip or skid that injures you or someone nearby. Sharpen chisels with a sharpening stone. Drill bits and saw teeth should also be sharp.

5. Maintain situational awareness. Make sure the area is free of people and objects that could be hurt or damaged. When possible, avoid working in tight spaces that make proper use of a tool difficult.

6. Secure small workpieces with a clamp or vise. This lets you hold the tool with two hands for better control and keeps your hands away from the business end of the tool.

7. Carry and transport tools properly. Carry sharp or pointed objects in a sheath or holster or in a toolbox. Don’t hold tools in your hand when climbing a ladder. Instead, use a tool belt for hand tools or transfer tools to height using a bucket or bag.

8. Wear the proper PPE. Appropriate PPE may include work boots, work gloves, ear protection, eye protection and a dust mask.

9. Keep clothing and hair out of the way. Wear close-fitting clothes and tie back or otherwise contain long hair. Remove jewelry before using tools.

10. Work with clean hands. Handling tools when your hands are oily, greasy or sweaty could cause you to lose your grip.

7 hand tool safety tips

Hand tools are so familiar and simple they may seem harmless, but that perception can lead to overconfidence and lack of vigilance. Remember that tens of thousands of people injure themselves with hand tools each year. Keep these safety tips in mind.

1. Read the owner’s manual. Each make and model is different. The owner’s manual is worth reading to learn best usage, maintenance and storage practices for that tool.

2. Use non-sparking tools around flammable substances. Sparks produced by iron and steel hand tools, such as chisels and hammers, can ignite flammable vapors or liquids. Consider using spark-free tools, which are made from non-ferrous metals, when working around flammable substances.

3. Choose high-impact tools with a fiberglass shaft. Unlike wooden shafts, which can break catastrophically under stress, fiberglass shafts fail progressively, reducing the likelihood of sudden failure and injury. You can find fiberglass versions of tools such as hammers, axes and rubber mallets.

4. Cut or chisel away from yourself. Point the edged part away from your body when using tools such as chisels and saws. Keep your hands behind the cutting edge.

5. If using a tool belt, hang tools pointed down at your sides. Guard cutting and chopping tools with a scabbard or sheath.

6. Replace worn jaws on pipe tools, wrenches and pliers. Worn jaws can cause tool slippage or damage to fasteners.

7. Use insulated hand tools for high-voltage electrical work. When it comes to avoiding electrical shock from high voltages, using tools with a plastic or nylon handle won’t cut it. Instead, use insulated tools, which are designed to provide electrical isolation on the handle in high-voltage situations.

10 power tool safety tips

Some jobs calls for power. Of course, with power comes an increased potential for severe injury. Refer to the owner’s manual for usage and maintenance tip for the power tool you’re using, and follow these general power tool safety tips

1. Inspect the power cord and plug. Don’t use the tool if the power cord is frayed or cracked or the plug is broken in any way.

2. Use GFCI outlets. An outlet equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protects against electric shock. The GFCI will shut down the current in a fraction of a second if it detects leakage. GFCI outlets are especially important if you’re using power tools around water or moisture.

3. Never carry a power tool by the cord or hose. Over time, the weight of the tool will damage the wiring and increase the potential for electric shock or tool malfunction. Similarly, never unplug a power tool by yanking hard on the cord.

4. Don’t carry a tool with your fingers on the start switch. It’s easy to start the tool when you didn’t mean to, with potentially disastrous consequences.

5. Disconnect power tools when not in use. Unplugging tools prevents accidental starts. Unplug the tool or remove the battery before making repairs or changing accessories.

6. Protect cords from hazards. Keep cords away from sharp objects that could cut them (that includes your cat’s teeth), and away from oil, heat and moving parts.

7. Maintain your tools. Follow the recommendations in the owner’s manual for maintenance and lubrication and replacing accessories.

8. Stand firmly. Staying balanced and braced will improve your control of the tool and allow you to react faster to the unexpected.

9. Don’t place tools on the ground. Objects on the groundcreate a tripping hazard. In addition, the tool could get wet if there’s a spill.

10. Attach a safety cable when using a tool in an overhead area. The cable will prevent it from falling onto people below.

A tool accident can happen in a blink when you least expect it. Following these hand and power tool safety best practices will help you avoid unwelcome surprises, and trips to the emergency room.

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