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Publication: March 2007. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 25: Portable Tools

Overview (1)

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that hand and power tools be provided to employees in safe condition. This chapter describes how the portable tools program implements this requirement at SLAC.

Hazards/Impacts (1.1)

The hazards encountered when using portable tools include striking or contacting part of the body with the tool or the work piece and projectiles flying off the tool or work piece in the eyes. The most common injuries from the use of portable tools are

• Lacerations or cuts from a knife blade, saw, or other tool with a sharp surface or jagged edge
• Contusions or bruises from striking the fingers with the tool

These injuries are generally caused by

• Not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Using the wrong tool for the work to be performed
• Using the tool improperly
• Removing guards
• Not inspecting the tool before use
• Using a defective tool
• Storing or moving the tool improperly

Scope (2)

This chapter applies to all portable tool use at SLAC, by all personnel, including SLAC employees, subcontractors, users, and visitors. Portable tools are hand-held tools, either power or manually operated (see Section 4, “Definitions”); requirements for machine tools are covered in Chapter 39, "Machine Safeguarding".

Exemptions (2.1)

There are no exemptions to the requirements of this chapter.

Implementation (8)

The requirements of this chapter will be implemented according to Portable Tools: Implementation Plan [pdf].

continue to Standards (3)