2
DUST AND FUME HAZARDS
■
Dust and fumes generated when using drills and
tappers can cause ill health (for example, cancer, birth
defects, asthma and/or dermatitis); risk assessment
and implementation of appropriate controls for these
hazards are essential.
■
Risk assessment should include the dust created by
the use of the tool and the potential for disturbing
existing dust.
■
Operate and maintain the drill or tapper as
recommended in these instructions, to minimize dust
and fume emissions.
■
Direct the exhaust so as to minimize disturbance of
dust in a dust-filled environment.
■
Where dust or fumes are created, the priority shall be
to control them at the point of emission.
■
All integral features or accessories for the collection,
extraction or suppression of airborne dust and fumes
should be correctly used and maintained in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
■
Select, maintain and replace the consumable/inserted
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook to
prevent an unnecessary increase in dust or fumes.
■
Use respiratory protection in accordance with
employer’s instructions and as required by
occupational health and safety regulations.
NOISE HAZARDS
■
Exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent,
disabling hearing loss and other problems, such as
tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, whistling or humming in the
ears). Therefore a risk assessment and implementation
of appropriate controls for these hazards are essential.
■
Appropriate controls to reduce the risk may include
actions such as damping materials to prevent
workpieces from “ringing”.
■
Use hearing protection in accordance with employer’s
instructions and as required by occupational health
and safety regulations.
■
Operate and maintain the drill or tapper as
recommended in the instructions handbook, to prevent
an unnecessary increase in the noise level.
■
Select, maintain and replace the consumable/inserted
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook, to
prevent an unnecessary increase in noise.
■
If the drill or tapper has a silencer, always ensure that
it is in place and in good working order when the drill
or tapper is operating.
VIBRATION HAZARDS
The information for use shall draw attention to vibration
hazards that have not been eliminated by design and
construction and remain as a residual vibration risk. It
shall enable employers to identify the circumstances in
which the operator is likely to be at risk from vibration
exposure. If the vibration emission value obtained using
ISO 28927-5 for drills or ISO 20643 for tappers does
not adequately represent the vibration emission in the
intended uses (and foreseeable misuses) of the machine,
additional information and/or warnings shall be supplied
to enable the risks arising from vibration to be assessed
and managed.
■
Exposure to vibration can cause disabling damage to
the nerves and blood supply of the hands and arms.
■
Wear warm clothing whenever working in cold
conditions and keep your hands warm and dry.
■
If you experience numbness, tingling, pain or whitening
of the skin in your fingers or hands, stop using the drill
or tapper, tell your employer and consult a physician.
■
Operate and maintain the drill or tapper as
recommended in the instructions handbook to prevent
an unnecessary increase in vibration levels.
■
Do not allow the inserted tool to chatter on the work
piece as this is likely to cause a substantial increase
in vibration.
■
Select, maintain and replace the consumable/inserted
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook to
prevent an unnecessary increase in vibration levels.
■
Support the mass of the tool in a stand, tensioner or
balancer, if possible.
■
Hold the tool with a light but safe grip, taking account
of the required hand reaction forces because the risk
arising from vibration is generally greater where the
grip force is higher.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR PNEU-
MATIC POWER TOOLS
■
Air under pressure can cause severe injury.
■
Always shut off air supply, drain hose of air pressure
and disconnect tool from air supply whenever not in
use, before changing accessories or where making
repairs.
■
Never direct air at yourself or anyone else.
■
Whipping hoses can cause severe injury. Always
check for damaged or loose hoses and fittings.
■
Cold air shall be directed away from the hands.
■
Whenever universal twist couplings (claw couplings)
are used, lock pins shall be installed and whip check
safety cables shall be used to safeguard against
possible hose-to-tool and hose-to-hose connection
failure.
■
Do not exceed the maximum air pressure stated on
the tool.
■
Never carry an air tool by the hose.
