2
WORKPLACE HAZARDS
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Slips, trips and falls are major causes of workplace
injury. Be aware of slippery surfaces caused by use of
the tool and also of trip hazards caused by the air line
or hydraulic hose.
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Proceed with care in unfamiliar surroundings. Hidden
hazards, such as electricity or other utility lines, can
exist.
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The non-rotary percussive power tool is not intended
for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and is
not insulated against coming into contact with electric
power.
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Make sure there are no electrical cables, gas pipes,
etc., that can cause a hazard if damaged by use of
the tool.
DUST AND FUME HAZARDS
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Dust and fumes generated when using non-rotary
percussive power tools 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.
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Risk assessment should include dust created by the
use of the tool and the potential for disturbing existing
dust.
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Operate and maintain the non-rotary percussive power
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook, to
minimize dust or fume emissions.
■
Direct the exhaust so as to minimize the disturbance of
dust in a dust-filled environment.
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Where dust or fumes are created, the priority shall be
to control them at the point of emission.
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All integral features or accessories for the collection,
extraction or suppression of airborne dust or 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, 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
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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 work
pieces from “ringing”.
■
Use hearing protection in accordance with employer’s
instructions and as required by occupational health
and safety regulations.
■
Operate and maintain the non-rotary percussive power
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook, to
prevent an unnecessary increase in noise levels.
■
Select, maintain and replace the consumable/inserted
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook, to
prevent an unnecessary increase in noise.
■
If the non-rotary percussive power tool has a silencer,
always ensure it is in place and in good working
order when the non-rotary percussive power tool 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 residual vibration risks. 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-
6 for rammers, ISO 28927-9 for hammers and breakers
and ISO 28927-10 for scaling hammers and needle
scalers 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.
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Exposure to vibration can cause disabling damage to
the nerves and blood supply of the hands and arms.
■
Wear warm clothing when 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 non-
rotary percussive power tool, tell your employer and
consult a physician.
■
Operate and maintain the non-rotary percussive power
tool as recommended in the instructions handbook, to
prevent an unnecessary increase in vibration.
■
Do not hold the inserted tool with the free hand, as this
increases vibration exposure.
■
Hold the tool with a light but safe grip, taking account
of the required hand reaction forces, because the risk
from vibration is generally greater when the grip force
is higher.
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Keep suspended handles in the central position and
avoid pushing the handles into the end stops.
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For breakers, cut small “bites” of concrete to prevent
the tool from jamming.
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For breakers, move the cutting tool every few seconds.
Stop the breaker when lifting the tool to change
position, because vibration is high when pulling up on
the handles.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR PNEU-
MATIC POWER TOOLS
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Air under pressure can cause severe injury.
