Defective Tools Safe Work Practice-Photo of today

Workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation can avoid workplace accidents by taking the appropriate safety precautions. However, despite their best efforts, workers may still become injured by defective tools or equipment.

Table of Contents

Those who are injured in defective tool accidents may be able to obtain compensation from their employers and/or responsible third parties.

The photo of today Below will outline the following:

Types of Defective Tools
Tool Safety Standards
Types of Defective Tool Injuries
Workers’ Compensation for Defective Tools Accidents
Defective Tools Safe Work Practice

Also, Read: Back Injury Prevention

Types of Defective Tools

Any tool or piece of equipment can be dangerous if not manufactured or maintained properly. Defective hand tools, power tools, heavy machinery, and industrial equipment may cause workers to suffer serious injuries.

Some types of defective or malfunctioning tools include:

Bulldozers
Conveyor belts
Cranes
Forklifts
Hammers
Jackhammers
Ladders/scaffolding
Lawnmowers
Nail guns
Power drills
Snowblowers
Table saws
Tractors
Welding equipment

Tool Safety Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety standards for hand and power tools in the workplace. There are standards that apply to the general industry, as well as those that apply to specific industries such as shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction.

Generally, employers are responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment that their employees use. When employers fail to uphold this duty, workers may become injured – and entitled to compensation – as a result.

Types of Defective Tool Injuries

Workers may sustain a variety of defective tool injuries, ranging from minor to fatal. Some common types of injuries may include:

Amputations
Broken bones
Burns
Crushing injuries
Degloving injuries
Electrocution/electric shock
Eye injuries
Lacerations
Neck/back injuries
Puncture wounds
Scarring/disfigurement
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Also Read: Photo of the day: Mental health in the workplace

Workers’ Compensation for Defective Tool Accidents

Most employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for their workplace injuries under the Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act), with the exception of longshoremen, railroad workers, and other types of federal employees. Under the Act, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover the cost of medical, wage loss, and other types of expenses associated with their employees’ work injuries.

Employees must give notice of their work injury to their employers within 120 days. Their employer may then decide to accept or deny the claim. If the claim is accepted, the worker may begin receiving various forms of workers’ compensation, including a percentage of their lost wages if the injury caused them to miss work for more than seven days.

If the claim is denied, the worker has several opportunities for appeal. T

Third-Party Products Liability Claims

workers may also be able to sue negligent third parties for their workplace injuries and recover damages that are not provided by workers’ compensation. Tool and equipment manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their products. Workers who are injured by defective tools may, therefore, file a third-party product liability claim against the manufacturers or suppliers of defective tools.

Tool manufacturers or suppliers may be held legally responsible for three types of tool defects:

Design defects: Those that render a product inherently unsafe from conception, before it is even manufactured
Manufacturing defects: Defects that occur during the manufacturing process
Marketing Defects: This type of defect typically involves improper labeling, insufficient warnings, or inadequate instructions

Safe Work Practice

What are some good general safe work practices?

DO INSPECT TOOLS FOR PROBLEMS LIKE:

chisels and wedges with mushroomed heads
split or cracked handles
chipped or broken drill bits
wrenches with worn-out jaws
tools that are not complete, such as files without handles

DO NOT use a defective tool;
DO double-check all tools prior to use; and
DO ensure defective tools are repaired

DO NOT USE TOOLS WHEN THEY ARE

broken or inoperative guards,
insufficient of improper grounding due to dame on double insulated tools,
missing ground wire or grounding lug (on plug) on cords of non-double insulated tools;
on/off switch not in good working order,
cracked tool blade,
wrong speed grinder wheel being used, or
Guard has been wedged back.
Tag and/or remove defective tools from service.

Also Read: Photo of the day: Safe Lifting at work

Download the Infographic

Now you can download the Infographic ” Defective Tools” and post it at the workplace to communicate with everyone to be familiar with the Defective Tools Hazards and safe work practices to avoid Back Injuries

Also Read: First aid requirements at the construction site