Safety with tools

DOING JOBS YOURSELF AROUND THE HOME CAN BE FUN AND SAVE MONEY. BUT TRAGICALLY, 70 PEOPLE ARE KILLED AND A QUARTER OF A MILLION ARE INJURED DOING DIY EVERY YEAR. IT’S EASY TO AVOID ACCIDENTS.

It’s not just about having the right tools, but knowing how to use them correctly.

Here you will find advice and tips on how to use your tools safely.

Be prepared

Fact: Reading the instructions is guaranteed to save time in the long run.

“SHOULD I GIVE IT A GO?”

Before you start any job, you need to weigh it up and decide whether to go ahead. Ask yourself:

• Is it something I can take on myself?
• Do I have the right tools and protective equipment?
• Do I need to get in the experts?

Cutting corners could mean putting yourself at risk, it can end up costing more than you think. NEVER underestimate the difficulty of the job, especially if you are unfit or nervous about heights - get someone else to do it.

If you decide to take on a DIY project, however small:

• Don’t rush or take short-cuts. Take the time the job needs.
• Never think it’s a waste of time reading the instructions.

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB. “MAKING DO” WON’T DO.

TOP TIP:

Some jobs must be left to the experts. Get someone qualified for tasks involving gas, or any major electrical or building works and ask them for a free estimate. (Find an expert in your area)

Ladder Safety

Fact: More people are killed and injured using ladders than any other piece of equipment.

IS YOUR LADDER UP TO IT?

Make sure:

• Your old ladder does not have warped or split wood, corrosion, dents or cracks.
• It can take your full weight and anything you are carrying.
• If you are buying a new ladder, check it meets British or European safety standards.

HOW TO USE A LADDER SAFELY

• The safest angle to use ladders is to match every one measure out from the wall by four measures up. A ladder placed at too shallow an angle is every bit as likely to fall as one that is too steep.
• Only ever place the ladder on firm ground.
• Make sure it is secured or held in place.
• Wear suitable, non-slip footwear.
• Rest your ladder against a firm surface or wall - not on something unstable like guttering or drain pipes.
• Never over-reach. Make the effort to move the ladder instead.
• Don’t overload yourself, or the ladder.
• When you are using a stepladder, place it square-on to the wall for stability, not alongside the wall.

TOP TIP:

Remember the ‘one out four up’ rule for the safest ladder angle.

Electrical Tools

Fact: An RCD will give you even greater protection against the risk of shock if you cut through an extension lead and touch a live conductor.

If you are using power tools, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, sanders or other plug-in tools:

• Always place cables behind you while you work, and don’t allow them to become kinked or frayed.
• Never work in damp or wet conditions.
• An RCD helps to protect you from the risk of electrocution.

“What is a Residual Current Device (RCD) and how does it work?”

An RCD detects and reacts to changes in the flow of electricity.

If a flex or cable is cut, or the tool malfunctions, the RCD is designed to cut off the power supply to the equipment. This can reduce the risk of you being electrocuted.

TOP TIP:

If you are using garden power tools with blades, such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers, always use brightly coloured leads - they are easy to see and avoid.

Garden Tools

Fact: Every year 125,000 children need hospital treatment for garden injuries.

YOUR GARDEN IS A PLACE FOR YOU TO RELAX AND HAVE FUN SAFELY. MAKE SURE IT’S NOT A PLACE OF DANGER FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY BY TAKING SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS.

• Keep tools with sharp edges out of the reach of children. Better still, lock them away.
• If you’ve got a shed, keep it tidy - it will help you to reach the tools you want without having an accident.
• Get in the habit of unplugging and putting electrical equipment such as lawn mowers and hedge trimmers away as soon as you have finished using them.
• Never, clean, adjust or even check electrical tools while they are plugged in. Always switch off and unplug first.
• Never use electrical equipment in the wet or wash them with water - electricity and water can be a killer combinations.
• Wear strong shoes or boots to help protect your feet.

TOP TIP:

A shed is a great place for storing tools and chemicals but if not locked can be tempting and dangerous for children.

Hire Tools

Fact: When you collect a tool from a hire shop you will probably need to show them some proof of identity with your address on it.

If you are likely to use a certain tool only once, hiring can be an economical way of making sure you have the right equipment for the job.

But this also means you’ve got a powerful tool which you may have never used before.

Here is how to avoid hire-tool hazards:

Ask at the hire shop:

• What is the right equipment for the job I want to do?
• Can you show me how it works?
• Has it been fully serviced and tested?
• Can I have the instructions?
• Do I need any protective equipment, such as goggles or masks?
• Does it come with an RCD?

At home:

• Take your time to read the instructions and safety advice fully.
• Keep children and pets away.
• Switch off and unplug electrical equipment during breaks from use - however short.
• Always use an RCD.
• Dress suitably, with no loose clothing or jewellery, and wear the protective gear you need.

TOP TIP:

Look for a tag on the tool, stating that it has been serviced and tested since it was last returned to the shop.

Common Sense

• Remember, just because a job is small, doesn’t mean there is no risk. Getting up a ladder to a roof carries very similar risks whether you are replacing one ridge tile or twenty.
• If you plan extensive repair or improvements to the outside of your property, consider hiring a scaffold tower instead of working off a ladder.
• Do not use tools with a loose head or handle - it is better to replace the whole tool then to risk a nasty injury.
• Work tidily - keep a tool box handy and avoid leaving tools with blades or sharp edges around.
• Have a basic First Aid kit to hand.

TOP TIP:
If you want to be extra safe, a First Aid course will teach how to carry out emergency resuscitation, and how to deal with minor cuts and wounds, serious burns and fractured limbs. To find out about a course near you, look up one of the following in the phone book:

• British Red Cross
• St John Ambulance
• St Andrew’s Ambulance

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