Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia

Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia - Safety Procedures in Using Hand Tools and
Equipment

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to perform safety procedures in using hand tools and
equipment.

The use of hand tools in accomplishing tasks and job orders greatly increase the productivity and
accuracy of a worker. Although hand tools provide convenience and ease in completing any task, it
may also cause injuries and infirmities if used incorrectly. Safety procedures must always be a
priority in any workplace so that the security of all is assured.

Learn about it!

A worker must always be aware of the task he must accomplish so that he would know
the hand tools that he needs. Choosing the correct tools for a specific task will reduce
the chance of inflicting bodily injuries. Selecting the wrong tool may damage the tool
itself and harm the user. Reading the operational procedures of a particular tool is
greatly advised.

Different types of tools can be utilized differently. Listed below are some of the ways to
utilize these tools but also maintain safety in using them:

 Cutting tools such as cutters and saws must always be kept sharp. Dull tools often
cause more injuries and malfunctions than a sharp one. It is also required that a
worker cut away from his direction or his hands and fingers.
 Gripping tools such as pliers must maintain a strong grip. Handles must be slip-
free, jaws have a strong grip and its blades well sharpened. To utilize this tool. A
worker must firmly hold it by its handle and make sure the not too much stress is
applied to the wrist or the arm.
 Driving tools must always be kept straight. Wrenches must be free from any
substance that may cause slippage. The jaws must also have a strong grip. Screw
drivers must maintain a straight body, a non-slip handle, and an undamaged tip.
Proper grip and turning of the wrist will also increase efficiency.
 A striking tool’s handle must be well attached to its head to avoid it from flying
away. To utilize this tool, a worker must hold it comfortably and firmly in his
hand before swinging.
 Diagnostic tools such as a tester must always be calibrated before use. Only use
the tools as recommended by the manufacturer.
 Work space must also be observed properly. The possibility of harm and
injuries is greatly increased by an unsafe workplace. One must always be aware of
the hazards that are present in the work area. The space available in the
workplace also influences the efficiency and accuracy of using a hand tool.
 Working in a tight space may require to use a different set of tools that would fit
in the limited area.
 Correct posture must be practiced when using hand tools. Awkward
postures make more demands on your body. In some cases, the placement of the
workpiece will affect your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, or back posture.
Whenever possible, choose an ergonomic tool that requires the least continuous
force and can be used without awkward postures. The right tool will help you to
minimize pain and fatigue by keeping your neck, shoulders, and back relaxed and
your arms at your sides.
 Use the proper personal protective equipment or PPE necessary to
protect you from exposure to potential hazards. PPEs are specialized gear
used to protect the worker from falling objects, loud noises, sharp edges, dust and
particles, and hazardous chemicals. Wearing a PPE while working will greatly
decrease the chances of injuries and discomforts.

 Keypoints
 Occupational safety and health procedures are not the sole task of the
management.
 Everyone in the workplace must be vigilant and smart so that accidents and
unwanted damages will be avoided.

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Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia
Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia - Procedures in Cleaning, Tightening and
Simple Repair of Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to follow procedures in cleaning, tightening and simple
repair of hand tools, equipment and paraphernalia.

Hand tools and equipment are subjected to different levels of abuse while in use. These abuses may
result in the tools being dirty, loosely connected or even damaged. Before using any tool or
equipment, it is a must that they be inspected properly to ensure that they are operational and safe.

Learn about it!

One basic thing to remember to keep hand tools, equipment and paraphernalia clean is
to make sure that the workplace is properly organized.
  The work area must always be kept neat and tidy.
 All tools and equipment must be placed in a clean and dry place.
 Clean tools and equipment work more efficiently. This lessens the effort needed
to operate them and reduces the possibility of mishaps.
 Before cleaning any tool, be sure to wear the proper personal protective
equipment (PPE). Gloves, masks and goggles are usually worn when cleaning
tools since most cleaning agents and solutions are harmful to the human body.
 Only use cleaning agents as prescribed by the tool or equipment’s manufacturer.
Follow the cleaning procedures as well to make sure that no damage will be
inflicted on the tools.
 Cleaning the tools after use is highly recommended.

Learn about it!

 Tools with moving parts often suffer loosening of its parts. This is normal since
these segments keep on moving. A tool with loose parts will not function properly
and may cause injuries.
 Gripping tools such as a plier is an example that needs tightening. A plier’s rivet
must be well tightened to be able to grip properly.
 Lubricants must also be applied after tightening to reduce the friction.
 Driving tools’ handles must also be tightened to reduce hand strain when turning.
A loosely connected handle will make it almost impossible to use it.

Tips
In doing simple repair of tools, make sure that you are knowledgeable in doing so.
Repairing tools without sufficient skills may result to further damage or inflict injuries
to the fixer. Small repairs like tightening, sharpening and changing of handles may not
require special skills to do. Power tools and specialized equipment on the other hand
may require specialized skills in repairing. It is recommended that complicated tools
and equipment be brought to the authorized service center. If a tool or equipment is
beyond repair, it must be disposed properly.

Keypoints
It is the responsibility of everyone to maintain the good operating condition of all the
hand tools, equipment and paraphernalia in the workplace. Since these tools help in the
completion of the different job requirements, keeping them well preserved will make
work easier and more efficient.

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Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia

Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia - Common Malfunction (Unplanned or Unusual
Events) When Using Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia

Objectives
As a learner, you should be able to identify common malfunction (unplanned or unusual events)
when using tools, equipment and paraphernalia at the end of this lesson.

The proper use of tools, equipment and paraphernalia will greatly increase efficiency and
occupational safety in a workplace. Having the proper knowledge and skills in using such tools is
needed in order to operate and use them effectively. But more often than not, problems and
malfunctions may arise while using these tools. These malfunctions can be minimized by exercising
careful usage of the tools.

Learn about it!

Malfunctions and other unplanned and unusual event may not be totally eliminated, but
it can surely be minimized.

Listed below are some of the malfunctions and unplanned events when using the
different tools in completing a job requirement:

 When using a driving tool, screws may slip the tip of the screw driver. This
happens when the screw driver is not properly aligned with drive of the screw’s
head. This can be minimized by making sure that the tip of the screw driver is
well secured in the drive of the screw’s head. Using a screw driver with a
magnetized tip can also help minimize this type of malfunction.
 Small objects tend to fall down when being held by a gripping tool like pliers.
This usually happens when the jaws of the pliers are blunt, thus making it hard to
hold on things. This can be prevented by making sure that gripping tools have
well maintained jaws that can grasp objects properly.

Learn about it!

Listed below are some of the malfunctions and unplanned events when using the
different tools in completing a job requirement (continued):

 The use of striking tools also imposes a great threat if there will be a malfunction.
Common hazards are heads separating away from the handle. This could cause
severe injuries to anyone. To avoid this type of accident, the handle of a striking
tool must be tightly attached to its head.
 Mishaps in using cutting tools is also dangerous. Malfunctions may arise from
slippage of the material to be cut. This may also happen if a cutting tool is not
 sharp enough. These unplanned events will cause laceration and wounds to the
user. To avoid this, cutting tools must always be kept sharp.
 Power tools also impose danger during mishaps. Common problems are electrical
short circuiting or mechanical problems. Malfunctioning power tools may cause
electrocution and even decapitation of the limbs. These accidents can be avoided
by making sure that all power tools are well maintained and are in fit operating
condition.
 Diagnostic tools may not impose a threat to the well-being of a worker but
inaccurate reading may compromise the completion of a job requirement.
Inaccurate reading may occur if a diagnostic tool is not properly calibrated. To
avoid this, a regular calibration to all diagnostic tools must be done.

Keypoints
 There is certainly no absolute way to avoid any unforeseen malfunctions.
 The only way to minimize them is to have the appropriate knowledge in using the
different tools.
 Proper inspection and assessment of tools must also be practiced to ensure the
safety of the worker and the accurate completion of a job requirement.
 Having a first aid kit in the work area is also necessary so that quick response and
cure can be applied in case of any injuries.

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Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia

Maintain Hand Tools, Equipment and Paraphernalia - Procedures in Preparing a Report to Property
Custodian

Objectives
After completing the lesson, you should be able to follow procedures in preparing a report to
property custodian.

The property custodian is the overall in-charge for the storage and maintenance of all hand tools,
equipment and paraphernalia in a workplace. It is his task to make sure that all equipment are well-
kept and organized. It is his duty to keep track of all the details when it comes to the status of all
hand tools that are in his care.

Learn about it!

Since there are a lot of workers requesting for tools from the property custodian, being
able to report the status of all borrowed or requested tools must be accomplished. This
would help the custodian to have an easier compilation of all the assessment of all the
tools. There are two scenarios in writing a report to the custodian, one with no issues
and the other that incurred damages to the tools.

Here are the suggested procedures if there were no malfunctions or technical hitches
after the completion of the job requirement:

1. Bring the request form and return all tools to the property custodian.
2. The return report would have to state that all returned tools are still in proper
operating condition.
3. After handing over the tools, make sure that the property custodian waive your
accountability form.

In case there were problems that occurred during the completion of a job requirement
that resulted in damaging a tool or equipment, follow this procedure:

 It must be reported right away. The property custodian must know immediately
of any mishaps or damages to any requested tools. This is so the property
custodian could issue a replacement right away.
 Request for another set of tools to use.
 Once the job requirement is finished, prepare the tools to be returned.
 Be sure to attach an explanation detailing the events that caused the tool or
equipment to be damaged.
 Have the report received by the laboratory custodian so that proper investigation
can start. If proven that there were no negligence on the part of a worker, a
worker must be waived of any accountability to the damages.
 If proven that there were no negligence on the part of a worker, a worker must be
waived of any accountability to the damages.

Keypoints
 Although different procedures are followed in different organizations, the main
virtue to remember is honesty.
 It is the responsibility of everyone to submit reports regarding the status of tools,
equipment and paraphernalia without lies and deceit.
 Having truthful reports will lead to better inspection and assessment of tools in
the future.
 It is then the responsibility of the property custodian to test whether the returned
tools and equipment are still in good operating condition.
 Reports must be signed by the borrower and the property custodian, and
formalized by the immediate supervisor as witness.
 The reports must then be consolidated for future reference and record keeping.