Power tools can make any job much easier, but you should never use them unprepared. It’s important to familiarize yourself with all operating instructions and warnings before using any piece of equipment. Here are just a few essential safety tips that every operator should know.

4 Ways to Use Power Tools Safely

1. Always Wear Protective Equipment

You should always protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles when using tools with moving parts. Saws, grinders, and jackhammers can throw bits of wood, metal, and stone. Dust masks are essential to keep you from inhaling sawdust and shavings, and ear protectors prevent tinnitus caused by listening to loud machinery. 

Never wear loose or dangling clothing around power tools since they can get caught in moving parts, like the wheel of a grinder. Also, if you’re welding or bending metal, you may need to wear leather gloves to move hot or sharp materials safely. Never wear open-toed footwear, or you could risk dropping heavy or sharp items onto your exposed toes. Steel- or safety-toed boots with non-slip soles are a good option when operating any equipment.

2. Manage Your Work Area

Don’t try to operate power tools in a cluttered work area. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver, make sure you have plenty of light to see what you’re doing and don’t work over flammable debris that may be ignited by sparks or hot tools, such as sawdust or fabrics. 

3. Don’t Operate in Dangerous Environments

It’s important to never operate power tools in wet environments, such as in the rain. Wet conditions pose a serious risk of electric shock from tools that are plugged into outdoor power strips, or run on batteries. If you are using grinders, welders, or torches, make sure nothing flammable is nearby, like gasoline or oil. 

4. Keep Children Away

If you are using power tools at home or anywhere children play, make sure to keep them well away for both their safety and your own. Keeping others, especially children, at a safe distance from the work area will help prevent them from getting in the way of equipment or causing injury to them or yourself.

Preparation is the key to safely and successfully operate any power tools, which sometimes means knowing where to rent the equipment you need to finish a job. Schulhoff Equipment Rental & Sales of Cincinnati, OH, has over 83 years in the business. They rent top-notch equipment and provide knowledgeable customer service to find exactly what you need for the job. Call them today at (513) 961-1122 or visit their website for more information.