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Tools

Tools must be kept clean and in good repair. 1699

Only trained or experienced employees may operate tools, machines, or equipment. 1510(b)

A. Power-operated tools must be grounded or of the double-insulated type. They should be kept out of wet locations. 2395.45

B. Guards required by the SOs must not be removed or deactivated. 3942

C. Control switches (powered hand tools) are subject to the regulations noted below:

1. The following tools must be equipped with a constant-contact (dead-man) on-off switch: 3557(a)
   
   1. Drills
      
   2. Tappers
      
   3. Fastener drivers
      
   4. Grinders
      
   5. Disc and belt sanders
      
   6. Reciprocating saws
      
   7. Circular saws
      
   8. Chain saws
      
   9. Concrete vibrators
      
   10. Concrete breakers
       
   11. Concrete trowels
       
   12. Powered tampers
       
   13. Jack hammers
       
   14. Rock drills
       
   15. Tools similar to those above
       
2. Hoisting or lowering electric tools by their cords is prohibited. 1707(a)
   

D. Powder-actuated tools (PAT) must meet the ANSI A10.3 1977 standard or have a California approval number. 1684(a)(1),(2)

1. Only trained workers holding a valid operator’s card may use a PAT. 1685(a)(1)
   
2. Containers must be lockable and bear a label that says POWDER-ACTUATED TOOL on the outside. The storage container must be kept under lock and key. 1687(a)
   
3. The PAT must be provided with the following:
   
   1. An operating and service manual
      
   2. A power load and fastener chart
      
   3. An inspection and service record
      
   4. Repair and servicing tools. 1687(b)
      
4. Limitations on the use of PATs are as follows:
   
   1. Workers must not leave the tool unattended. 1690(b)
      
   2. Workers must not use the tool:
      
      1. In an explosive environment. 1690(a)
         
      2. On hard or brittle material. 1690(c)
         
      3. On unbacked, thin, or soft material. 1690(d)
         
      4. Within a 1/2 in. of the edge of steel. 1690(e)
         
      5. Within 3 in. of the edge of masonry. 1690(f)
         
      6. On thin concrete. 1690(g)
         
      7. On spalled areas. 1690(h)
         
      8. On existing holes. 1690(i)
         
5. Requirements for operating PATs are as noted:
   
   1. Eye or face protection is required for operators and assistants. 1691(b)
      
   2. Operators must inspect the tool before using it. 1691(c)
      
   3. Defective tools must not be used. 1691(d)
      
   4. Tools must not be loaded until ready for use. 1691(g)
      
   5. Tools must be unloaded if work is interrupted. 1691 (h)
      
   6. Operators must never point a loaded tool or an empty tool at anyone. 1691(i)
      
   7. The tool must be held in place for 30 seconds on misfire. 1691(l)
      
   8. Different power loads must be kept in separate compartments. 1691(m)
      
   9. Warning signs that say POWDER-ACTUATED TOOLS IN USE must be conspicuously displayed within 50 ft. of a PAT operation. 1691(n)
      
   10. Misfires and skipped power charges must be stored and disposed of properly. 1689(c), 1691(a)
       

E. Concrete-finishing tools must be equipped with a dead-man-type control. 1698(d)

F. Airless spray guns must have an automatic—or visible manual—release safety device or a diffuser nut and tip guard. 3559.1(a)

G. Portable circular power saws are regulated as follows:

1. Teeth on the upper half of the saw blade must be permanently guarded. 4307(a)
   
2. Teeth on the lower half of the saw blade must be guarded with a telescopic or hinged guard. 4307(b)
   
3. Saw guards must not be blocked open to prevent guards from functioning. 4307(c)
   

H. Miter (chop) saws are regulated as follows: 4307.1

1. With the carriage in the full cut position, a guard must enclose the upper half of the blade and at least 50 percent of the arbor end. 4307.1(a)
   
2. With the carriage in the full retract (raised) position, lower blade teeth must be fully guarded, and the guard must extend at least 3/4 in. beyond the teeth. 4307.1(b)
   
3. Employers shall instruct employees to keep hands and fingers outside the area below the blade until the blade has come to a complete stop. 4307.1(c)
   

I. Radial arm (horizontal pull) saws are regulated as follows:

1. The upper half of the saw blade and arbor ends must be completely covered. 4309(a)
   
2. An anti-kickback device must be used during ripping operations. 4309(c)
   
3. Saws must return automatically to the table’s back when released. 4309(d)
   
4. Saws must have a stop provided to prevent the saw blade from passing the front edge of the table. 4309(b)
   

J. Table saws are regulated as follows:

1. A hood must cover the saw to at least the depth of the teeth. 4300(a)
   
2. Table saws must be equipped with an anti-kickback device during ripping operations. 4300(d)
   

Note: The arbor speed of circular saw blades shall not exceed speeds recommended by the manufacturer.

K. Band saws are regulated as follows:

1. All portions of the band saw blade must be guarded except between the guide rolls and the table. 4310(a)(1)
   
2. Band saw wheels must be enclosed. 4310(a)(2)
   

L. Chain saws are regulated as follows:

1. Chain saws must be equipped with a constant-pressure control that returns the saw to idling speed when released. 3425(a)(2)
   
2. Chain saws must have a clutch adjusted to prevent the chain drive from engaging at idling speed. 3425(a)(3)
   

M. Pneumatic tools are regulated as follows:

1. Safety clips are required on pneumatic tools to prevent dies from being accidentally expelled from the barrel. 3559(a)
   
2. Pneumatic nailers and staplers that operate at more than 100 psi of pressure must have a safety device that prevents the tool from operating when the muzzle is not in contact with the surface. 3559(c), 1704(a)
   
3. Pneumatic nailers and staplers must be disconnected from the air supply when not in use. 1704(b)
   
4. The air hose of a tool must be secured at roof level to provide ample but not excessive amounts of hose when an operator works on a roof of 3:12 pitch or steeper. 1704(d)
   
5. An operator must wear fall protection when using pneumatic tools on roofs of 4:12 pitch and steeper.
   
6. All tools with air hoses having diameters larger than a 1/2 in. must have a pressure reduction safety device at the source of compressed air. 1704(c)
   
7. Jack hammer operators must wear personal protective equipment when required, including foot protection and hearing protection when noise levels exceed allowable exposure levels (see page 119). 3385, 5096(a)