Power Tool Safety Training: What Every Worker Should Know

Power tool safety is the set of habits and rules that keep you safe when you use tools driven by electricity, batteries, air or fuel. It also covers hand tools, which cause many injuries too. It starts before you switch the tool on: picking the right tool, checking it, and wearing the right protection.

Power tools are fast and strong. A blade, bit or disc can cut skin and bone in a split second. Grinders and saws throw chips and sparks. Many tools are loud enough to damage hearing over time. Corded tools can cause shock if the cord or tool is damaged. Good training makes these hazards easy to spot and control.

Other common hazards include kickback (when a saw or drill suddenly jerks back at you), noise, vibration from long use, dust from cutting and grinding, and trips over cords and hoses. Hand tools add their own risks, such as slips with knives, chisels and screwdrivers, and strain from using the wrong tool for the job.

• Use the right tool for the job, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Inspect before every use. Check cords, plugs, switches, guards, blades and bits. Do not use a tool that is damaged.
• Keep guards in place. Never remove, pin back or bypass a guard.
• Disconnect before changing parts. Unplug the tool or remove the battery before you change a blade, bit or disc, or clear a jam.
• Secure the work. Use clamps or a vise so both hands are free to control the tool.
• Keep your footing and balance. Do not over-reach.
• Keep cords and hoses out of the way, away from heat, oil, sharp edges and water.
• Tag and remove damaged tools from service and report them right away.

What to watch for with common tools:

• Drills: the bit can bind and twist the drill in your hand. Use the side handle when there is one, and hold on firmly.
• Circular saws: let the blade reach full speed before cutting, keep the lower guard working, and stand to the side of the cut line.
• Angle grinders: use the right disc for the job and for the tool’s speed, keep the guard on, and never use a cracked or chipped disc.
• Nailers: keep your hand clear of the nose, never point the tool at anyone, and disconnect the air or battery before clearing a jam.
• Hand tools: keep edges sharp and handles tight, cut away from your body, and do not use a screwdriver as a chisel or pry bar.

Corded and cordless tools both need care. Cordless tools remove trip hazards but still cut just as fast, and batteries must be charged and stored the way the maker says.

Guards and safe habits come first. Then PPE protects you from the risk that is left. Common PPE for tool work includes:

Match the PPE to the task. A face shield goes over safety glasses, not instead of them. Some tools, such as drill presses and lathes, can catch loose gloves, so follow the rules for that tool. Tie back long hair and remove jewellery near rotating parts.

Provincial OHS regulations require employers to provide tools that are safe and in good condition, keep them maintained, and make sure workers are trained to use them. Workers must use tools the right way, use the guards and PPE required, and report defects.

An online course gives you the theory. Your employer must still make sure you can safely use the specific tools on your site, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each one. That usually means site orientation and a check of your skills on the actual tools.

If you are asked to use a tool you have not been shown how to use, or a tool that looks damaged, you can stop and ask. Tell your supervisor before you start, not after something goes wrong.

Anyone who uses drills, saws, grinders, nailers or hand tools at work, including:

The Gama Safety Power Tools course takes about 1.5 hours and has two parts:

• Introduction to Power Tools: the common types of power and hand tools, their main hazards, and how to inspect and use them safely.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): how to choose, wear and care for the right PPE, such as eye, hearing, hand and breathing protection.

Does the training expire? There is no single national expiry date. It depends on your province and employer. Many employers ask for a refresher every 1 to 3 years, or when you start using new tools.

1. Enrol in the online Power Tools course and start right away on your phone, tablet or computer.
2. Learn at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free.
4. Download your certificate right away. A physical wallet card is mailed to you free.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more, and is recognized by employers across Canada. Training a team? Volume pricing starts at 2 seats, with an admin dashboard to track progress.