Hand Tool - Risk Assessment

HAND TOOLS RISK ASSESSMENT
SCREWDRIVERS
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
ACTIVITY PERSON L S DR RISK CONTROL MEASURES L S DR
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Choosing the Always choose the correct type of screwdriver for the job, i.e. a
wrong type may Posidrive head for a Posidrive screw as opposed to a Philips
cause tool to slip head.
Using a
Operative leading to piercing 3 4 12 Longer length screwdrivers will require less force to tighten or 2 1 2
screwdriver
injuries. slacken screws requiring less physical effort and thus giving more
control.
Using un-insulated
Use only insulated tools when working on electrical equipment.
screwdrivers on
Ensure insulation is in good condition.
electrical work may
As above As above 4 4 16 Turn off mains supply before commencing work where possible 3 2 6
lead to electrical
(Note – a separate Risk Assessment and a Safe System of Work
shock or burn
will be required for live working)
injuries.
Using screwdrivers
with damaged tips
Keep screwdrivers well maintained and in good condition.
may cause them to
As above As above 3 4 12 Introduce periodic hand tool checks and replace faulty or 3 1 3
slip leading to
damaged items.
piercing injuries.
LIKELIHOOD (L) = Frequent (5) - Probable (4) - Occasional (3) - Improbable (2) - Remote (1)
SEVERITY (S) = Catastrophic (5) - Major (4) - Reportable (3) - Serious (2) - Minor (1)
Degree of Risk (DR) = LIKELIHOOD x SEVERITY
* Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after suitable and sufficient control measures are introduced
PLIERS AND GRIPPING TOOLS
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Using the incorrect
Using pliers Always choose the correct type and size of tool for the task in
tool may cause it to
or gripping Operative 3 3 9 hand. 3 1 3
slip leading to cuts
tools
and bruising.
Jaws of pliers or
gripping tools worn Ensure jaws of such tools are in good condition and free from
or clogged up may debris.
As above As above 3 3 9 3 1 3
cause tool to slip Introduce periodic hand tool checks and replace faulty or
leading to cuts and damaged items.
bruises.
Using un-insulated
Use only insulated tools when working on electrical equipment.
pliers etc. on
Ensure insulation is in good condition.
electrical work may
As above As above 4 4 16 Turn of mains supplies before commencing work where possible 3 2 6
lead to electrical
(Note – a separate Risk Assessment and a Safe System of Work
shock or burn
will be required for live working). Wear eye protection.
injuries.
SAWS
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Using incorrect
type of saw can
Use the correct saw for the task in hand e.g. hacksaw for metal
Sawing lead to saw
Operative cutting, wood saw for woodcutting etc.
metal, jamming or jumping 4 3 12 3 1 3
.
wood etc. out from the
workpiece causing
cuts to hand/wrists.
Using saws with
damaged blades
such as missing or
broken teeth can Check condition of saw blades before use.
As above As above lead to the saw 4 3 12 Introduce periodic hand tool checks and replace faulty or 3 1 3
jumping out of damaged items.
workpiece and
causing cuts to
hands/wrists.
Missing guards or
damaged blades, Always ensure guards are fitted and in position.
cables etc on Check blades for type and damage before use.
As above As above 4 5 20 3 1 3
electrical saws can Check the condition of electrical cables and take out of service if
lead to injuries to damaged. Wear eye protection.
hands, eyes etc.
HAMMERS AND PERCUSSION TOOLS
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Damage to wooden
shafts of hammers
Using a Ensure hammer shafts are in good condition.
Operative may cause 4 1 4 2 1 2
hammer Do not use and replace if damaged.
splinters to enter
fingers, hand etc.
Using a hammer
with a loose head
Ensure hammer heads are securely fixed. Check before use and
can lead to it
As above As above 4 3 12 either repair or replace hammer. 2 1 2
coming away from
shaft and causing
impact injuries.
Strains and sprains
Hold hammer shaft correctly and don’t over swing thus ensuring
Using a caused by incorrect
balance is retained and over exertion is prevented.
sledge As above stance etc. when 4 3 12 3 2 6
Stand with feet slightly apart, avoid twisting the back and move
hammer using a
smoothly.
sledgehammer.
Injuries to eyes
caused by flying
Repair damaged cold chisels or replace them. Keep them sharp
Using cold metal from
As above 4 4 16 and ensure that the head does not become misshapen. 3 1 3
chisels “mushroom”
Wear eye protection at all times when striking cold chisels.
headed cold
chisels.
SPANNERS AND WRENCHES
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Spanner slipping
Always use the correct size and type of spanner. Ring spanners
due to incorrect
will give a better grip than open-ended ones.
Using size or type
Operative 4 3 12 Make sure any nuts or bolts have good faces that will allow the 3 1 3
spanners causing cuts and
spanner to grip. Don’t use excessive pressure and use a
bruises to
releasing agent if nut or bolt is rusted.
hand/arms.
Using worn
spanners can
Ensure spanners are in good condition and always check before
cause them to slip
use.
As above As above when in use 4 3 12 3 1 3
Introduce periodic hand tools checks and replace faulty or
leasing to cuts and
damaged items.
bruising to hand/
arms etc.
Poorly maintained
Ensure wrenches are in good condition and that jaw teeth are
wrenches can
clean and free from debris. Always check before use.
Using cause them to slip
Introduce periodic hand tools checks and replace faulty or
wrenches As above on pipework 4 3 12 3 1 3
damaged items.
on pipes causing cuts and
Ensure that the wrench has gripped the pipe before exerting
bruising to
pressure.
hand/arms.
HAND TOOL RISK ASSESSMENT
KNIVES AND CUTTING TOOLS
RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SIGNIFICANT
HAZARDS
AT RISK
Consider using a safer alternative tool to carry out the task e.g. a
cable stripper, scissors etc.
Incorrect use of
Always cut away from the body and keep the hand behind the
Using a knives leading to
Operative 4 4 16 blade. 3 1 3
knife cuts to hands,
Wear Kevlar type gloves to prevent cuts.
wrists etc.
Always use the correct size and type of chisel for the task to be
carried out and keep hand away from the cutting edge.
Incorrect choice of If wood chisels are to be struck with a mallet then only use
Using wood
As above chisel causing cuts 4 3 12 mortise chisels that have a ferrule fitted to the shaft. 3 1 3
chisels
to hand, wrists etc. Use a mallet not a hammer to strike mortise chisels.
Introduce periodic hand tool checks and replace faulty or
damaged items.
Signed originator............................................................…. Job title………………......................................…….
Date completed………………………………………………... Date for revision……………………………………….
Every effort has been made by Indicator Limited to ensure that the information given is accurate and not misleading, but Indicator Limited cannot accept responsibility for any loss or liability perceived to have arisen from the
use of any such information. Only Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments have the force of law and only the courts can authoritatively interpret the law.

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Hand Tool - Risk Assessment

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HAND TOOLS RISK ASSESSMENT

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

PLIERS AND GRIPPING TOOLS

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

HAMMERS AND PERCUSSION TOOLS

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

SPANNERS AND WRENCHES

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

KNIVES AND CUTTING TOOLS

RISK RESIDUAL RISK*

Signed originator............................................................…. Job title………………......................................…….

Date completed………………………………………………... Date for revision……………………………………….

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