OCR Text |
Show The National Safety Council, Coun-cil, esteemed authority on "do's and don'ts" for our protection in daily living,' has written a guide to us- ing unpowered hand tools which should ' be required reading . for do-it-yourself homeowners. ' , v- Some of , the featured points, v endorsed , by the makers of Cooper Tools such as Crescent screwdrivers and adjustable - wrenches ' and Plumb hammers and axes, are repeated here with the 1 hope that we all get the ..... message. : - ' Hand tools are universally used, accepted j and taken for granted, So much so that their ability to injure is often oft-en forgetten. Some general guidelines for avoiding injury inju-ry are: -i " i . Use the right tool for the job don't use a screwdriver screw-driver for a pry, etc. Only J use tools in good condii tion .' worn, dirty or brok' en tools should be repaired, cleaned or discarded. - , - Use tools properly, and wear the proper personal protective equipment such as - safety- goggles. Strike .' hammer blows squarely, with your eyes on the tool and the surface, and never use ' ' one with a loose or damaged Hi' handle, dents, chips or exces-. sive wear. . i The cutting edges of axes and hatchets are for- wood opposite or strik- ing faces are to drive wooden wood-en stakes " or - unhardened ' nails, never a chisel or the like. . " .V ' Wrenches and pliers are turning . or holding . tools misused they can . be . -knuckle skinners. Whenever possible, pull - dont push an adjustable wrench. Ad- just jaws tightly and apply , force towards the fixed jaw. Grip pliers firmly and pull. Cut wire at a right -angle, and : wear goggles.. Screwdriver tips should be ; ' sharp, square-edged and fit .'. tight in a screw slot to avoid slippage and hand' :. gouging. Drivers with chipped - tips should be replaced. ' . , , As the i Council ': says, 'Tools are designed and manufactured with safety in . mind. Most often, it's people, ' . not tools, that cause accidents." ( ' |