Posted by Sheila Sampson at Saturday, December 05th, 2020 - 01:46:40 AM in Power Tools
Riverside (and the Inland Empire in general) is populated with many manufacturing facilities that are often prone to power tool accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes the high number of power equipment injuries that occur every year, and have therefore established regulations on power equipment operation and safety. These regulations fall under Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act (also known as the General Duty Clause), published in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1926, Subpart I. This clause requires employers to provide a work environment that is free from the recognized hazards that would harm or kill an employee. In order to limit the chance of power tool injuries, these OSHA guidelines should be followed by any individual using power equipment, and not just those in the work place. If you have been injured while using a power tool, it is imperative that you contact an experienced injury lawyer to review your situation. A Riverside personal injury attorney will be able to determine if the power tool used has any design flaws that prevent it from being safe to use. Additionally, if you were injured in the workplace, an attorney would be able to investigate whether all of the OSHA safety guidelines were being followed.
Power equipment should not be carried by their cord or hose. Do not yank the cord or hose to disconnect it from a receptacle. If the tool has a three-prong plug, it should be plugged into a three-hold electrical receptacle. If an adapter is used to use a two-prong receptacle, the adapter wire must be attached to a known ground. If you are using an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy duty cord, and do not use indoor rated cords outside. Cords and hoses should be kept away from oil, heat, and sharp edges. When tools are not being used, they should be disconnected, whether they are being stored, being serviced, cleaned, or when accessories are being changed. Individuals not using the power tool should keep a safe distance from the work area to avoid getting hit by flying particles. Use clamps or a vise to secure the project so that both hands are free to operate the tool. Do not hold fingers on the power switch when carrying around a tool. Cutters and blades should be kept sharp, clean, and properly maintained for their best and safest performance.
With the most recent improvements in plastics, many of these performance power tools now have softer hand holds and lighter weight as well as better ergonomics to allow the user to work more comfortably for longer periods of time which means less time off a job to rest, and in turn, time and money saved overall.
The brief history just serves to illustrate the development of the drill and close on the heels of the drill were many other corded and cordless power tools. Mains powered devices operate on a variety of voltages 120v in the US and in Europe we operate on two voltages. We have 220-240v powered tools normally used in the home and for the less demanding applications whereas in the construction arena health and safety demands 110v units powered by 220-240v to 110v transformers. Battery powered tools use different battery types and operate at different voltages. The power screwdriver is the least demanding of the electrically operated tools in the power toolbox and may be supplied with as little as 3.6v batteries. The capability of the batteries has increased year by year as we have seen battery technology move gently from 9.6v to 36v such that we now have tools supplied with batteries rated at 12v, 14.4v, 18v, 24v and 36v. Needless to say the 36v tools are much more expensive than the 12v tools. The development in battery technology has been considerably more than just building larger battery packs. The latest batteries are Lithium-ion or Li-Ion batteries which enable more battery power to be delivered and batteries can be quickly recharged.
S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker founded the Black & Decker small machine shop in 1910 in Baltimore, Maryland; and the duo found their niche in the power tool industry by inventing the electric drill seven years later. The pistol-grip and trigger style drill became popular and is now a staple on construction sites and in households alike. Realizing the profit potential of power tools, Black & Decker has grown and acquired several other popular power tool brands, including DeWalt, Porter Cable, Delta, and Kwikset.
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