Hand injuries represent a high percentage of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's recordable accidents each year in industrial work such as the substations and power plants sector. Almost every substation and plant worker uses hand tools on the job and is exposed to potential injury from slips and misuse daily. Industrial workers not only use tools at work, but many also use them at home, where they take on mechanical and construction projects as hobbies.

Over the years, Georgia Power Co. (Atlanta, Georgia) has found that one of the best ways to stay on top of the latest hand tool information is to involve our vendors and suppliers in our safety programs. These manufacturers' reps live and breathe hand tools, and are skilled and ready to give demonstrations to teach our field workers on the proper use and inspection of the hand tools they use every day.

To prevent injuries, these workers need good, quality hand tools, and they need to know how to use them properly. Screwdrivers that stay on the screw, pliers that don't slip and wrenches that stay on the nut are the things that prevent accidents and help get the job done. And because getting the job done right — without injuries to workers — is crucial, Georgia Power is continually looking for ways to emphasize proper care and safer use of these small but important elements of safety.

Hands-on Demonstrations

To ensure that our workers are properly trained in using hand tools, Georgia Power holds regular safety meetings and tool demonstrations with our tool manufacturers. One of our vendors, Stanley Proto (Conyers, Georgia), has conducted numerous safety presentations throughout the years. The demonstrations have been plantwide or department specific, with anywhere from 25 to 250 people attending. They provide valuable instruction and also serve as reminders to help keep our workers focused.

A big part of hand-tool safety involves inspecting tools daily and knowing what to watch for when tools need to be replaced. At these demonstrations, for example, our field technicians not only learn the correct procedures for minimizing exposure when wiring or changing out a fuse, but they are trained to properly use their hand tools as well.

In addition to demonstrations, manufacturers provide us with tool-safety videos that focus on subjects like sockets, wrenches, striking tools, screwdrivers, knives and snips, and specialty tools. For example, each video supplied by Stanley Proto opens with a cartoon character, named Shortcut Jones, who shows how using tools inappropriately (such as putting a standard socket on an impact wrench) may result in injury. The videos offer pointers on safe, efficient practices and emphasize the importance of keeping tools in top condition by cleaning them and storing them away from exposure to dirt and moisture.

Tool Improvements

Of course, taking care of tools and using them properly is only as good as the tools themselves. In recent years, manufacturers have been making some strong tool improvements. These days, tools are designed with enhanced ergonomic features such as hand-conforming grip. They are safer, last longer and, in some cases, make the worker's job easier.

Our representative from Stanley Proto, or the “Proto guy” as he has come to be known at Georgia Power, not only helps with safety training, but also consistently introduces new products such as better-insulated tools for electrical work. Manufacturers know their trade and do a good job of talking with our employees and showing them the proper use of the tools and the advantages of using them. They also offer warranties to ensure that if a worker breaks a tool, the manufacturer will take care of it immediately.

Grip and control are big safety issues when using tools in the field. The new tool designs offer better, safer grips, such as the handles on screwdrivers. A better grip causes less fatigue, which makes a big difference to the worker who uses these tools all day. The old Phillips heads would jump out of the screw, for example, causing injury and fatigue; this would also wear out the tool. But the newer screwdrivers have hardened tips that stay on the screw and don't wear out as easily as the older models. They are available in numerous sizes, and they fit better and last longer.

A new line of ratchets that slip less and give technicians better control is also addressing grip and control issues. There have even been improvements on pliers. While some older designs would actually pinch the technician's hands, today's pliers are designed with more precision and have addressed the grip and slip issues.

A Vendor Fair

Another way Georgia Power promotes safer tool selection is through its annual vendor fair. At this event, manufacturers give presentations on important safety issues. For example, one demonstration at a recent fair explained how taking shortcuts could be a shortcut to disaster. Our vendors demonstrate their latest and safest tools at the annual fair, and our employees walk through the exhibit area, gaining valuable insight and information. The vendors show how to use their tools properly and also point out ergonomic features. Often, they let employees try out the tools to get hands-on experience using them. The annual vendor fair is a popular event for Georgia Power employees, and everyone learns more about tool safety.

Georgia Power benefits from having long-term relationships with companies such as Stanley Proto and involving them in its safety programs. Our suppliers are there when we need them and they keep us current on what is happening in hand-tool safety.

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Richard Hamby is the safety and health advisor at Georgia Power Co., where he has worked for 32 years. Hamby works out of the plant branch in Milledgeville, Georgia, and serves the Robins Combustion Turbine site as well. Rehamby@Southernco.com