Safe working with

powered hand drills?

These are used for drilling holes and to drive screws.

1. Wear safe clothing and eye protection. Avoid baggy

clothing or dangling jewelry that could catch in the drill as
you lean over it. Wear safety goggles or glasses that cover
the sides of your eyes, to protect them from flying debris.

2. Wear ear protection if drilling regularly. A handheld

electric drill produces about 90 decibels, which is just
enough to cause hearing damage after prolonged
3 Protect your lungs when necessary. If the project kicks up a lot of dust, wear breathing protection. A dust mask
or a respirator if you drill regularly or for long periods of time, or if the material you are drilling is a known
respiratory hazard..
4 Choose the correct drill bit. Using a bit made from the wrong material can cause the bit or the material you're
drilling to break. You can use a general-purpose bit on most wood; a masonry bit for stone, brick or concrete; an
HSS (high speed steel) bit on most metals; and a carbide or diamond-tipped bit on very hard, brittle surfaces
such as porcelain, glass, or glazed tiles.. When drilling a hole for a screw, there's an easy way to find the right
size bit. Hold the screw up directly behind the bit. The bit should hide the shaft of the screw from view, but the
screw threads should still be visible on both sides.
5 Fit the drill bit firmly into the chuck. The chuck is the clamp in the "jaws" of the drill. This holds the drill bit in
place as it spins. To replace a drill bit, make sure the drill is off (and unplugged if corded), then loosen the chuck
by rotating it. Depending on the drill, you may be able to do this by hand, or you may need a chuck key located
in a compartment in the top or handle of the
drill. Insert the drill bit into the chuck, then tighten again. Make sure the bit I
6  Clamp small pieces together. If you are drilling into a small, loose piece, clamp it down firmly before you
drill. Do not hold the piece down with one hand while drilling, as the drill could slip and injure you straight and
secure, and remove the key before you turn on the drill
7 Handle the cord safely. If the drill has a cord, never leave it stretched across a pathway when not in use.
Never pick up the drill by the cord. If you are drilling in a wet or muddy area, use a cordless drill instead. If you
need to plug the drill into an extension cord, check the drill manual for the minimum wire gauge (or go with 16
gauge if you're not sure). Do not chain multiple extension cords together, use indoor extension cords outdoors, or
use an adapter to plug a three-prong cord into a two-prong outlet
.
Hammers
 Use the right type of hammer for the specific job.
 Never strike hardened steel surfaces with a steel hammer.
 Use a soft metal hammer or one with a plastic, wood, or rawhide head when striking steel surfaces to
align or loosen them.
 Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from small pieces of metal that may fly off the hammer
or the object being hit.
 Inspect all hammers carefully, including large sledgehammers, before use to be sure the head is tight and
undamaged.
 Replace damaged handles;
 make sure the handle fits the head properly.
 Wedge the handle securely in the head and make sure it is free of splinters and cracks.

Pliers
 Never substitute pliers for another tool such as a wrench to complete the task. It may cause the bolt heads
to become chewed. Pliers cannot grip nuts and bolts securely and will slip.
 If working with electricity,
 use hand insulated grips.
 Make sure the protective coverings are free from cracks or holes.
 Use a vise when cutting wire with the pliers.
Screwdrivers
 Don’t use a screwdriver with wet or greasy hands.
 Don’t use a screwdriver to test a battery charge.
 Don’t use a screwdriver to chisel or pry or punch.
 Pick a screwdriver with the right size and type of head for the screw.
 Make a starting hole for the screw with a nail or a drill.
 Don’t hold the work piece against your body. Steady it on a sturdy flat surface.
 Keep your fingers away from the blade while you’re using a screwdriver.
 Don’t use pliers or a hammer to force the screwdriver.
 For electrical work, use a screwdriver with a blue handle. It is insulated!
Some Basic Electrician Hand tools
Standard tape measure
A standard tape measure is used for all kinds of field
measurements, such as setting heights for switches and
outlets, centering lighting fixture boxes, and marking
surfaces for cutouts.
 Tongue and groove pliers
Tongue-and-groove pliers are known by many names,
including channel-lock, groove joint, tongue-and-
groove, and straight-jaw pliers. This tool is most often
used for plumbing work, but a pair of tongue-and-groove
pliers also has many uses for electrical projects. It will see
frequent use for removing knockouts from metal electrical
boxes, tightening cable clamps, and adjusting expansion-
type ceiling fan boxes.
Non contact voltage tester

Perhaps the most important specialty electrical tool you can

own is a voltage tester. A voltage tester is used for a quick
safety check to make sure there's no voltage in an electrical
wire or device before you start working on it. Non-contact
voltage testers, powered by batteries, are the simplest and
safest types of testers because they can detect electricity just
by being near an outlet slot or wire
 Wire stripper
Another essential electrical specialty tool for homeowners
is a good pair of wire strippers. Wire strippers are used to
cut and strip insulation from electrical wires. A wire
stripper tool has a row of gauged holes for stripping wires
of different sizes, and it usually includes cutting jaws for
trimming the wire ends. Some types are combination tools
that can also be used to crimp wires and to strip the vinyl
jacket off NM cable.
 Needle nose pliers
Another essential specialty electrical tool is a pair of needle-
nose pliers (also called long-nose pliers). It will be used for
bending and twisting wires whenever you are making screw-
terminal connections. The long, narrow tip makes this a great
tool for detailed work. Most needle-nose pliers also include
cutting jaws for trimming wires.
Linesman pliers

A pair of linesman pliers is an electrician's

do-it-all tool. It has a squared-off end that is
great for twisting wires together, a center
cutting blade for trimming wire, and a grip
area between the handles for pulling wire.
 Diagonal cutting pliers
Diagonal cutting pliers, sometimes called side
snips or dikes, are used to cut wires. They are specially
designed with a cutting edge that goes down to the tip
of the jaws, allowing you to get into tight areas to trim
wires. Some types can also have a built-in voltage
detector to sense live wires.
Fish tape
A  fish tape is used to pull stranded
or solid wire conductors through
metal or  PVC conduit. Cable
lube is available to assist you in
pulling the wires through the
conduit. A fish tape can also be
helpful when you are pulling NM
cable through wall cavities.
 Multimeter or Voltmeter
A voltmeter is used to read voltage levels and verify
that circuits are “live” or off. Unlike a circuit tester,
this tool gives you reading on how much voltage is
being carried. More sophisticated forms of the tool are
known as millimeters, and they can not only read
voltage levels but also amperage, resistance, and DC
voltage and amperage. 
 Flash light
Electrical repair and improvement work involves a lot
of dark places, from attics and basements, to wall and
ceiling cavities, to the insides of electrical boxes. A
tactical flashlight is needed as much for safety as it is
for convenience
 Utility knive
 Utility knife, or box cutter, is handy for
cutting sheathing from non-
metallic (Romex) cable, to cut off
electrical tape, and to open cardboard
boxes.
Wire crimpers
Wire crimpers are used to crimp lugs or
connection terminals onto wires. This tool is not
often used for routine circuit repairs, but it has
many uses when working with appliances or
electronics. Many types can also be used to strip
wire insulations.
Chisels
•Always use a sharp chisel—not one with a dull cutting blade.
•If the head of the handle is mushroomed, do not use it.
•If possible, hold a chisel with a holder, not your hand.
•Always chisel away from your body.
•Clamp any small work piece in a vise. Chisel toward the stationary

Other Tools
Always use each tool for the specific job intended.
Crowbars should be used only for jobs that require prying.
Files must be cleaned with a file card after use. Do not strike the file against another piece of metal.
Hand hooks must be kept sharp to prevent slipping when in use. They should be stored with the point in cork to
reduce accidents.
Scrapers must be kept in good, sharp condition for best results
 Adjust the clutch. Each drill has a twistable collar to adjust the torque, often with a series of numbers on
it. The higher the number, the more torque (rotational force) the drill will apply. If you are having trouble
penetrating the material, increase the torque. If you are over-driving screws (burying them too deep), or if
drilling too deep could damage something, lower the torque. Some models mark the highest torque with a
drill bit icon
 Avoid overheating the drill bit. If you are drilling through hard materials or drilling at high speeds, the
drill bit will encounter an immense amount of friction. This can rapidly overheat the bit, to the point where
it becomes red hot or burns the material you're drilling. Start at low drill speeds, and only increase the
speed if the drill isn't moving smoothly. If you're drilling through hard materials, or drilling many holes in
any material, stick to slow speeds and pause occasionally to give the bit a few seconds to cool down.
 When drilling glass, ceramic, or stone, give the bit a steady supply of water to keep it cool. One way to do
this is to build a "dam" out of putty or modeling clay around your drilling area. Fill the area with water so it
flows down into the hole. "Pump" the bit up and down so the water can reach the tip . Even if the drill bit
doesn't look hot, give it time to cool down before touching it
Proper Use of Drill bits
 Drill a pilot hole. In many cases, you'll get better results if you start with a drill
bit a little smaller than the final hole size. Drill a shallow "pilot hole," then
switch to the larger bit to finish the job. The pilot hole will help prevent your
drill bit from slipping, and reduces the chance of splitting wood or other
damage.
 Very brittle materials such as ceramic and glass require extra care. Make a small
"X" in masking tape where you want the hole, to help prevent slipping and
chipping. Instead of drilling the pilot hole, place the drill bit over the X, then
gently tap it with a hammer to create a small dent.
 Drill with steady pressure. Hold the drill steady and push it into the material
you're drilling. If it takes more than light force to drill the hole, you're probably
using the wrong bit.
 Power screw driver
A power screwdriver is a screwdriver that uses some form of
power source to perform the work of driving screws, rather
than relying on human muscle

Screwdriver safety

 Do not use a screwdriver as a punch, wedge, pinch bar or pry.

 Keep the tip clean and sharp to permit a solid grip on the tip of
the screw.

 Keep the handle of the screwdriver clean and intact to allow

for a solid grip.

 Never hold the piece you are working on in your hand

 Adjust the clutch. Each drill has a twistable collar to adjust the torque, often with a series of numbers on it. The higher the
number, the more torque (rotational force) the drill will apply. If you are having trouble penetrating the material, increase
the torque. If you are over-driving screws (burying them too deep), or if drilling too deep could damage something, lower
the torque. Some models mark the highest torque with a drill bit ico
 Avoid overheating the drill bit. If you are drilling through hard materials or drilling at high speeds, the drill bit will
encounter an immense amount of friction. This can rapidly overheat the bit, to the point where it becomes red hot or burns
the material you're drilling. Start at low drill speeds, and only increase the speed if the drill isn't moving smoothly. If you're
drilling through hard materials, or drilling many holes in any material, stick to slow speeds and pause occasionally to give
the bit a few seconds to cool down. When drilling glass, ceramic, or stone, give the bit a steady supply of water to keep it
cool. One way to do this is to build a "dam" out of putty or modeling clay around your drilling area. Fill the area with water
so it flows down into the hole. "Pump" the bit up and down so the water can reach the tip.
 Do not force a jammed bit through. If the drill bit gets stuck in the material, don't try to force it out by running the drill.
Unplug the drill, separate the bit and the chuck, and remove the bit using manual tools
Five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated
with the use of hand and power tools:
•Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
•Use the right tool for the job.
•Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use damaged tools.
•Operate tools according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
•Provide and properly use appropriate personal protective equipment.
•Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart failure and burns, are among
the major hazards associated with electric-powered tools. Under certain conditions,
even a small amount of electric current can result in fibrillation of the heart and death
•To protect the user from shock and burns, electric tools must have a three-wire cord
with a ground and be plugged into a grounded receptacle, be double insulated, or be
powered by a low-voltage isolation transformer.