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POWER TOOL SAFETY

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Keep Power tools away from Water

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Do Not use power tools if damaged

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Do NOT carry a power tool with the cord

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Only use a power tool for it's original purpose

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Follow the Manufacturers instructions

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Always unplug power tools after use

 

Whilst power tool accidents are common, some of the results can be beyond belief, I know people who have lost fingers on circular saws and a friend who lost his eye when an abrasive disk disintegrated on a grinder. Only recently a Lady was Killed when she was using a power drill up some steps, some how the cord got stuck in the chuck and wrapped around her neck and strangled her to death!

bullet NEVER FOOL AROUND WITH POWER TOOLS.
bullet DO NOT PUT A POWER TOOL DOWN UNTIL IT HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED
 

 

Each year there are around 70 deaths and a quarter of a million serious injuries. Of these, 100,000 are injured seriously enough to warrant a visit to casualty – and most accidents are due to either carelessness or lack of knowledge. A few moments planning and reading instructions rather than rushing a task and taking risks would also help to reduce the accident toll.

A survey carried out by MORI pollsters for the DTI shows that behaviour plays a large part in DIY accidents. For instance, the average consumer could spot only five out of eleven potential safety hazards on a stepladder when tested. Knowledge of Residual Current Devices was even worse – half the consumers polled had no idea what they were, and a further quarter who had heard of them had little knowledge of what they do. Other interesting facts:

bulletsimple lack of knowledge can cause accidents - 85% of people who use stepladders are not aware that they are designed to be used square onto a wall, rather than parallel to it, for maximum stability
bulletwomen know less about DIY than men and are more at risk of an injury – for example, women knew far less about residual current devices – 72% had never heard of them!
bulletrisk assessment is often wrong – many men over-estimate their ability to do some tasks, and are determined not to be beaten by a job, where in truth they need more knowledge, the right tools and someone to help.