MECHANICAL HAZARDS

What are mechanical hazards?

Mechanical hazards are created by the powered operation of apparatus or tools. The applied power may be electrical or human. Tools or
apparatus have three locations where mechanical hazards can exist:
the point of operation
the point of power transmission
the area of moving parts
The point of operation is where the action is taking placea drill
bit, the sandpaper on a palm sander, or the vibrating tine on a string
vibrator. The point of power transmission is where the applied
energy is converted to work; two examples of the point of power
transmission are the pulleys and belt on a centripetal force apparatus
and the axle on a motor-driven rotator. The area of moving parts
involves any actions between the point of operation and the point
of power transmission. Examples of moving parts are the gears or
pulleys on an apparatus, the sharp or protruding points or hardware
on pulleys, and shafts or arms.

Apparatus or tools that rotate

drill bits
gears in Wimshurst machines
centrifuge rotors
governors for demonstrating centrifugal force
electric motor shafts
rotators for spinning discs, wheels, centrifugal forces rotors, or
other equipment
projections (nuts, set screws, nicks, and abrasions) from rotating parts

Hand centrifuges
Hand centrifuges are serious potential hazards. Cranked by hand and
clamped to the edge of a table, hand centrifuges spin two glass centrifuge tubes at speeds of up to 2,000 rpm. As purchased, the tubes
are not shielded in any way. If a neighboring student is not careful,

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Rotating apparatus or tools can be dangerous because they can catch

and twist a students clothing, hair, or jewelry and can cause serious
damage to the student. Even slowly rotating objects can snag something on a student and force an arm or hand into a precarious position. A few examples of rotation hazards are

Mechanical Hazards, continued

he or she could turn into or back into the whirling tubes. The tubes
may not break completely as a result of a student backing into them,
and the jagged edges of the newly broken glass tubes can injure the
student. Regardless of whether the tubes break completely, a good
possibility exists for broken glass to fly about the classroom and
injure students.

Precautions for working with hand and power tools

Some projects, such as those for science fairs, require a degree of
advanced object-shaping, which is accomplished by using tools or
apparatus that can cut, punch, shear, or bend sturdy materials. Tools
and apparatus that can manipulate or cut sturdy material can, of
course, also seriously injure a student. Hazards are usually found at
the point of operation on such devices. An associated hazard that
may arise is flying chips or shavings from the material while it is
being cut. Emphasize to students that work with these types of tools
should be done only under direct adult supervision. In addition,
make sure the students are capable of safely using the necessary
tools. Listed below are some safety tips and precautions to bear in
mind when using various hand and power tools.
General
Make sure the project area is well lighted and uncluttered.
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Visually inspect tools, power cords, and accessories before

allowing students to use them.
Ensure that machine and work area guards and shields
are in place and are being used.
Include appropriate warning notices at the project area
and in instructional materials.
Ensure that projects are commensurate with the age and
sophistication of the students.
Demonstrate the safe use of tools, and discuss any concerns that students may have about operating equipment.
Always have students wear impact-resistant goggles.
Do not permit students to wear loose clothing or jewelry
when using power tools. Make students tie back long hair.
Limit the use of gloves when using hand toolsgloves
can be too bulky for a good grip, and they limit the feel
for the tool.
Make sure that students focus on the task at hand;
eliminate distractions.

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Mechanical Hazards, continued

Enforce the rule of using the proper tool for the task.
Never leave a running tool unattended. In addition,
tell students that they may never leave a running tool
unattended.
Keep the project area clean and free of scraps.
Knives
Do not allow students to use dull or notched blades.
Never allow students to test a cutting edge with their fingers (students should use scrap material for testing a cutting edge).
Remind students to keep their hands and body clear of
the knife stroke; make sure that neighboring students are
also clear of the work area.
Make sure that students always cut away from their bodies.
Hammers
Check the condition of a hammer before allowing students to use it. Do not use hammers that have loose heads
or cracked handles.

Make sure that students have an unobstructed area to use

the hammer.
Remind students to keep their fingers away from the
object being hammered.
Screwdrivers
Remind students that screwdrivers are not to be hammered or used as chisels, punches, awls, or levers.
Do not let students hold an object in one hand and use a
screwdriver with the other hand; place the object on a
bench or table or in a vise.
Do not use noninsulated screwdrivers in electrical projects.
Wrenches
To minimize sudden slips, remind students to stand in a
balanced position and to avoid reaching for awkward or
distant locations while using a wrench.
Tell students to always pull on the wrench handle instead
of pushing against the fixed jaw.
Use the proper size wrench for the nut or bolt.

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Provide the proper hammer for the projectif too light, a

hammer bounces in the users hand; if too heavy, a hammer is hard to control.

Mechanical Hazards, continued

If students are using adjustable wrenches, make sure that

they keep the open jaws facing toward them to reduce
slippage.

Stand in a balanced position

and avoid reaching for
distant locations while
using a wrench.

Pliers
Remind students that pliers are not to be used in place of
hammers or wrenches.
Do not use noninsulated pliers in electrical projects.
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Files
Never allow a student to use a file without a handlethe
tang can pierce the students palm or wrist if the file slips
or catches.
Power hand tools
Make sure that the students are old enough and mature
enough to use the tool.
Always inspect power tools before allowing students to use
them.
Make certain that students receive proper training in the
use of the tool.
Do not permit students to carry power tools by the electrical cord.
Ensure that guards are used on all tools that have such
devices.
Make sure that students do not try to use a power tool
before it has reached operating speed or while it is coming
to a stop.
Never let students try to stop a tools moving parts by hand
or with other objectslet the tool coast to a stop by itself.
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Mechanical Hazards, continued

Tell students to never lay a tool down before it

has come to a complete stop.
Do not allow students to force a power tool
into the material.
Be sure the material can be held safely in
place during the operation.
Do not let students stand directly behind
or in front of a tool that is in use, in case it
malfunctions.
Continually remind students to be aware
of a tools power cord so that they do not
accidentally cut it.

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Disconnect power tools when not in use.

Interested readers may refer to the

Occupational Safety and Health
Administrations (OSHAs) Code
of Federal Regulations, Title 29,
part 1910 and to various National
Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
safety publications for more detailed
information on physical and mechanical hazards. Borrowing from a local
shop teacher any books or publications he or she might have on tool
safety is also a good idea.

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