The thing about hand tools is that no one cares about using them with caution. Once you get the hang of how your set of hand tools work, you’re probably not even going to give a first thought to safety, let alone give it a second thought. It just comes so naturally to you. You can pick up your hammer and start working effortlessly, like your hands are dancing to the tune of the tool.

That said, maintaining safety standards while using hand tools is just as important. For your own good. You never know when that hammer might strike your thumb instead of the nail, after all. So it would be best if you had a proper guide that spells out how to use your hand tools right in professional settings. A guide that you must follow the same way you do when using your Bosch power tools. So let’s begin, shall we?

1. Always use the right tools for the task at hand

Yes, there are hacks out there that you can use one tool to carry out the jobs of other tools but try not to give in to that temptation. It isn’t exactly safe. You never know when the tool might malfunction if used for a task other than what it’s intended for. And when it malfunctions, the risk of injury increases. So it’s better to stick to this rule.

2. Check your tools

Just like your industrial tools, your hand tools need regular inspection. It’s just good sense to check if they’re in optimal condition or not. If you find cracks, chips, or broken bits, chances are the performance of the said tools is going to be heavily compromised. The result? Lower efficiency, shoddy work, and increased chances of injury. If upon inspection, you find your tool is past its prime, consider changing it.

3. Handle them with care

Remember how you treat your Bosch power tools like drills and rotary hammers? You almost baby them so they last long. You must extend the same treatment to your hand tools if you want to get the maximum usage out of them. After all, you don’t want your tool to give up on you midway during a task. Won’t that be a disaster! So make sure you maintain a firm grip and the right angle when using your tools. You can prevent tool damage as well as cuts and sprains this way.

4. Wear protective gear

This goes without saying, but you should have safety gear on even when you’re using hand tools. Especially gloves, safety goggles, and shoes. You don’t want debris hitting your eye or the tools injuring your hands and feet when on a job. We suggest using ear protection too. Sometimes even hand tools can get terribly loud. Like constant hammering for example. You can also opt for a safety vest if you’d like. The goal should be to keep yourself safe and sound so you can work on the task at hand worry-free.

5. Organise your tools well

Carrying a messy toolkit to your job site will only slow you down as well as increase the risk of injury - particularly if you have to blindly sift through a toolkit. You never know when a nail or some other sharp tool might prick you. That’s why, part of our proper tool usage guide is having a tool organiser on you as you carry out onsite tasks. Get an organiser kit to make your life easier. Also, make sure your site of work is clean and clutter-free so you prevent any accidental trips and injuries.

6. Be prepared for emergencies

Whether you work with industrial tools or hand tools, it’s crucial for you to be prepared for emergencies when on the job. Even if you take all kinds of precautions. Make sure you are well-versed with emergency procedures that pertain to tool-related accidents or incidents. You should have basic knowledge of first-aid, and you should know where the emergency exits are because swift response is of utmost importance in emergency-type situations.

7. Enrol in training programs

Most companies or contractors who hire you will be willing to provide training programs before you begin the project. It’s a good idea to attend these programs as opposed to skipping them as they can help you learn more about the technical aspects of the project you’re working on as well as any safety precautions you need to take. Being vigilant and up to date on the latest safety practices can save you a world of trouble down the line.

Apart from the above, make sure you carry out regular risk assessments as well so you can modify your safety measures as per the requirements of the job. And, of course, as always, make sure you use high-quality tools so your risk of injury is minimised to begin with. You can find such tools at any of your nearest FK Tools branches.