Auto Body Repair Hand and Power Tool Safety

One of the most common causes of injury in body shops and garages is the improper use of hand and power tools. Broken or worn equipment, as well as employees untrained in proper equipment use, can result in severe injuries that may cause you to miss several days (or even weeks) of work. Follow these tips to stay safe with hand and power tools in the workplace.

Hand Tools

Basic defects with hand tools often result in the most frequent problems. Before using any hand tool, be on the lookout for:

  • Chipped or broken drill bits

  • Split or cracked handles

  • Tools with missing parts

  • Wrenches with torn-out jaws

  • Chisels and wedges with mushroomed heads

Power Tools

The electrical component of power tools provides an added hazard. Power tools are often extremely dangerous machines, and should be treated as such. Examine any power tool before use, looking for:

  • Cracked tool blades

  • Defective on/off switches

  • The insertion of wrong parts

  • Broker or inoperative guards

  • Damage to the grounding wire, or insufficient grounding

Grinders

Grinders are arguably the most dangerous tool in the power tool family. Special precautions need to be taken when using a grinder. These precautions include: 

  • Following all safety concepts discussed in training

  • Wearing eye, hearing and respiratory protection

  • Ensuring dust control is in place

  • Avoiding all grinding on the side of the wheel

  • Not standing directly in front of the grinding wheel when it is first starting

Any sort of defective tool should be reported to your supervisor immediately. Your safety is our first priority at Zeiler Insurance!

If you have questions or concerns on this issue, do not hesitate to call Zeiler Insurance and speak to one of our customer service representatives. As an independent agency, Zeiler Insurance prides itself with quality customer service for the people of the Chicago-land area and the rest of the Midwest. Customer or not, we can review your insurance and see if you are being protected appropriately for the right price.

Dan
dan@zeiler.com
708.597.5900 x134

Business Auto Insurance, Workers CompensationDan Zeiler