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Ensuring Safety with Hand and Portable Power Tools in the Food Industry

As a leading food industry consultant, PMG Engineering delivers comprehensive consultancy for the food industry with a sharp focus on engineering design and project management. Our expertise in building top-quality food factories aligns with the highest standards of global leaders such as Nestle, Mondelez, Abbott, and Danone.

Understanding the Role of Hand and Portable Power Tools

Hand and portable power tools are indispensable in the food manufacturing industry for applying additional force and precision during tasks. However, these tools necessitate caution, proper selection, and supervision to ensure safety.

Identifying Potential Hazards

Common Injuries and Risks

Improper use or handling of tools can lead to injuries such as burns, cuts, eye injuries, and electrical shocks. Additional risks involve fire, explosions, and falling tools. Some specific hazards include:

Flying particles from damaged tools
Damaged insulation or improper electrical connections
Missing or improperly fitted safety guards
Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Untrained personnel handling tools

Ensuring Safe Use: General Precautions

Proper Tool Storage

Maintaining tools in a safe and orderly manner is crucial. Storekeepers must ensure that defective tools are segregated for repair, and only functional tools are issued.

Safe Tool Handling

Users must carry tools in appropriate holders rather than in pockets, ensuring a clear path for safe movement. Tools should never interfere with the free use of hands, especially while climbing.

Selecting and Using Tools Correctly

Users must select tools based on size and purpose, wearing necessary PPE for protection. Only undamaged tools should be used, and they must never be modified from their original design.

Specific Hand Tool Management

Hammers and Spanners

Hammers should be used as intended, striking surfaces squarely to avoid damage. Spanners must be positioned to prevent user imbalance, and extensions should not exceed design torque.

Chisels and Punches

Chisels should be of appropriate size, driven with sufficient force, and handled with care to avoid injury. Any signs of wear must lead to replacement, ensuring tools remain in optimal condition.

Non-Sparking Tools

In volatile environments, non-sparking tools made from non-ferrous materials are essential to prevent frictional sparks, enhancing workplace safety.

Portable Power Tools: Risks and Safety Measures

Portable power tools introduce mobility-related hazards. Essential safety measures include using tools with safety switches, isolating power sources when tools are not in use, and maintaining secure, untangled cords and hoses.

Electrical and Pneumatic Tools

Grounding is mandatory for all portable electrical tools. It is important to use low-voltage tools in wet environments, ensuring they are certified by reputed agencies. Pneumatic tools require secure couplings and appropriate pressure levels to prevent accidents.

Conclusion

Maintaining the highest safety standards with hand and portable power tools is imperative in the food industry. Through expert food technology consulting, PMG Engineering ensures that our clients can achieve operational excellence while prioritizing safety and efficiency.

Frequently asked

What injuries do hand and portable power tools typically cause in a food plant?

In food manufacturing, improper use or handling of hand and portable power tools can cause burns, cuts, eye injuries and electrical shocks. Additional risks include fire, explosions and falling tools. Specific hazards are flying particles from damaged tools, damaged insulation or improper electrical connections, missing or improperly fitted safety guards, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and untrained personnel handling tools.

How should tools be stored and issued in a food factory workshop?

Tools must be maintained in a safe and orderly manner. Storekeepers are responsible for segregating defective tools for repair and issuing only functional tools. This discipline at the store level prevents damaged tools reaching the shop floor, where they can cause flying particles, cuts or electrical shock during food plant maintenance work.

What rules apply to carrying tools around the plant, especially when climbing?

Users should carry tools in appropriate holders rather than in pockets, and keep a clear path for safe movement. Tools must never interfere with the free use of hands, which is particularly important while climbing. This reduces the risk of falling tools and injury to the carrier or personnel working below in a food processing facility.

When are non-sparking tools required?

In volatile environments, non-sparking tools made from non-ferrous materials are essential. They prevent frictional sparks that could ignite the atmosphere, enhancing workplace safety. This is a specific selection requirement for hand tools used in such areas of a food manufacturing plant, alongside using only undamaged, unmodified tools of the correct size and purpose.

What safety measures are mandatory for portable electrical and pneumatic tools?

Grounding is mandatory for all portable electrical tools. Low-voltage tools should be used in wet environments and must be certified by reputed agencies. Pneumatic tools require secure couplings and appropriate pressure levels to prevent accidents. Portable power tools should also have safety switches, be isolated from the power source when not in use, and have secure, untangled cords and hoses.

Are there specific precautions for hammers, spanners, chisels and punches?

Yes. Hammers should be used only as intended, striking surfaces squarely to avoid damage. Spanners must be positioned to prevent user imbalance, and extensions should not exceed design torque. Chisels should be of appropriate size, driven with sufficient force and handled with care to avoid injury. Any signs of wear on chisels or punches must lead to replacement so tools remain in optimal condition.

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PMG Engineering. Ensuring Safety with Hand and Portable Power Tools in the Food Industry. PMG Engineering. https://pmg.engineering/eLearning/26/ensuring-safety-with-hand-and-portable-power-tools-in-the-food-industry/

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