1/19/24, 9:23 AM Employer Factsheet: Risk Assessment for Hand Tools | Croner-i

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Employer Factsheet: Risk Assessment

for Hand Tools

 Printable version (/export/print/651898)

This general risk assessment and arrangements cover the normal use of hand tools. Hand tools are widely
used within the workplace by various tradespeople, eg mechanics, carpenters, joiners, cobblers, foresters,
tilers, glaziers, cooks, butchers and horticulturists. The tools may be electrically powered, air driven or manually
operated.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 2306) (PUWER), apply to any item
of work equipment supplied and requires that equipment is suitable, maintained and inspected to ensure that it
is, and remains to be safe. The risks arising from equipment use must be eliminated or controlled and all
operators must have received adequate training, instruction and information. Equipment provided by
employees is also covered by PUWER. See the Approved Code of Practice and guidance from the Health and
Safety Executive, L22 Safe Use of Work Equipment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Approved Code of Practice and Guidance.

Hazards
The significant hazards associated with hand tools include:

splinters of wood or metal

heat
entanglement of loose clothing, tattered overalls or dangling neckties
tripping, slipping or falling due to poor location of power leads or hoses, cluttered or cramped
workspaces, or slippery and obstructed floors
using incorrect tools for the job

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workbenches, either fixed or of portable design, being of incorrect height, leading to incorrect posture
while using hand tools to work on materials placed upon them
dusts and fumes, from the material being worked on
electricity
noise.

Other specific hazards may arise from:

split or loose shafts or handles

mushroom or burred heads of cold chisels and bolsters, etc
handles not fitted to files
splashes from brushes
blunt blades (knives, screwdrivers and hoes, etc)
incorrect voltage of electric tool
incorrect grip of tools
using tools at height.

Control measures
Identifying how tasks should be carried out will enable management to draw up work method statements.

All hand tools provided for use by the organisation will comply with relevant legislation and standards. Where
the design sizes of tools by manufacturers allows for a choice, then a range of sizes should be available for
selection and use. The need for the correct selection should be identified and made known to all users.

The control measures to guard against the hazards listed are:

using tools of suitable size and application for the job (eg correct spanner or screwdriver for bolt, nut or
screwhead)
using specialist tools instead of open bladed knives (eg cable strippers)
clearing the floor area around the bench where tools are being used
keeping trailing leads from electrically powered tools to a minimum length, and routing them to avoid
damage to the leads and to prevent trip hazards
using the correct fuse rating for electric tools
fitting appropriate protective devices (eg guards and dust bags)
maintaining cutting edges, preferably by the use of wet grindstones for chisels and bolsters; sharpening
of handsaws also to include tooth setting
storage facilities for tools
the protection of cutting edges by the use of guards
provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly eye and hand protection where the risks to
health and safety are not adequately controlled.
sufficient training to use the hand tool in a safe and proper manner, ensuring those for whom English is
not a first language are catered for.

When new hand tools for use at work are purchased, steps should be taken to ensure they conform with the
essential safety requirements and are CE or UKCA marked.

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Storage facilities will be provided for tools. A regular inspection of tool stores and individual tool boxes will take
place to identify any deficiencies in set standards. Controls for the issue and maintenance of tools will be
implemented. Any defect or incident noted with the equipment must be reported immediately.

PPE provided to protect against hazards associated with the use of hand tools must be worn and stored when
out of use. Any problems with PPE should be reported.

Any defects discovered with tools, particularly electrical tools, should be reported and the tool taken out of use
immediately.

Monitoring and review

Inspections
Electrically powered tools need to be tested at least annually, a tag attached to tested tools and a record kept.

Tools carried by mobile users should be inspected at least once every six months. Inspections of tools used on
fixed sites can be made during routine workplace inspections and where tools are issued for use from a store,
then returned, they may be subject to a routine inspection upon return.

Inspections by the user should be carried out before each use.

Risk assessment review

For static workplaces where hand tools are involved, a risk assessment review should be conducted biannually
or when there is a change in the activity, an incident or an accident. For the use of some tools, a generic
assessment may be suitable. However, where tools are used in differing locations and environments, it may be
necessary for specific assessments to be conducted and even included in a method statement.

Last reviewed 13 December 2023

Work Equipment

Summary (/topics/work-equipment/summary)

What's New (/whats-new/4951)

This page covers

 Hazards

Control measures
Monitoring and review

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