September 2023 - 34

TOOL BRIEFING
Top 3 safety tips
for hand tools
By Emily Markham
p Matco Inner Tie Rod Tool, No. ITRT299
Photo courtesy of Ross Colket
it out. So, we have a wide variety of broken
bolt and broken stud extractors. One of my
favorites is the Mayhew 29895 stud extractor.
This is the perfect tool if even a small
portion of the stud is exposed. It works like
a drill chuck, with one important difference,
which is it gets tighter in a counterclockwise
rotation. The significance of this is that when
you are trying to loosen the stud, the tool
continues to tighten. There are replaceable
POCKET
PRY BARS
Convenient for prying and
separating small items apart
3/16 " diameter steel with high
fatigue and torsional strength
Angled blade gives greater
access to tight areas
Available individually and
in 2-piece and 3-piece sets
Straight, 27°, and 55° offsets
Choose among orange, green,
or blue handles
While hand tools may seem very " basic "
that doesn't make proper usage or safety
practices surrounding them any less
important. According to research done by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), almost 10 percent of
all workplace injuries are caused by hand
tools. Having to take time off of work
because of a hammer-smashed finger or
a hospital trip to get stitches isn't ideal,
so here are a few hand tool tips to help
keep everyone in the shop safe.
1. Maintain your tools
There are many ways to help keep your
tools in peak condition, including keeping
them clean, sharp, and defect-free. If
your tools get covered in grease, oil, etc.
clean them off. Failure to do this could
lead to an insecure grip on a tool resulting
in injury to yourself or to a coworker.
Keep knives and scissors sharp - a dull
blade is actually more hazardous than a
sharp one.
Also, be sure to check your tools for
chips, splinters, or other possible
defects before and after use. Using even
a partially broken tool could break the
tool further and potentially result in
damage to the vehicle you're working
on, yourself, or others around you.
2. Use the correct tools
Though it seems obvious, make sure to
use the correct tool for the job at hand.
Not only can this help with the ease
and duration of a task, but it can keep
you, the user, safer. Though it may seem
easier to use whatever tool is on hand as
a striking tool or to use your screwdriver
as a pry bar or chisel, if the tool wasn't
designed to perform those actions, then
chances are something may go wrong.
It's also important to understand how to
use a tool before putting it into action.
Using a tool you haven't been trained
to use is a recipe for disaster. If you're
uncertain, consult the shop owner, a
fellow technician, or the manufacturer's
operating manual.
3. Wear PPE
Circle 55 on card or click " PTEN e-inquiry " on VehicleServicePros.com
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MADE IN U.S.A.
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Even when correctly maintaining and
using your tools, there's still a risk of
injury, so PPE is highly recommended.
Depending on your environment and the
task at hand, specific safety procedures
will vary. Check tool manufacturer labels
and warnings, any posted signs and
placards, and your shop's safety manual
for safety instructions to ensure you're
wearing the right gear.
OVERALL
LENGTH OF
FIVE
INCHES
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September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023
