Hand tool safety requirements

Employers must not issue or allow the use of any unsafe hand tools and must ensure tools are kept in safe condition before permitting use. See 1915.133(a).

• Remove or tag out defective tools so they are not used.
• Repair or replace tools that are unsafe before returning them to service.
• Assign responsibility (a supervisor or competent person) to inspect and control tools appropriate to the work and hazard level.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a).

No — you must not use a wrench when its jaws are sprung to the point that slippage can occur; even a slight spring that risks slippage makes the tool unsafe. See 1915.133(b).

• If a wrench jaw is sprung, replace the wrench or the jaw assembly; do not attempt risky workarounds.
• Use the correct size and type of wrench and avoid excessive force or cheater bars that can deform jaws and cause slippage.

Cited authority: 1915.133(b).

Yes — wrenches, including crescent, pipe, end and socket wrenches, are covered and must not be used when the jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs. See 1915.133(b).

• Inspect the entire wrench set (including sockets) for deformation, cracking, or looseness that could cause slippage.
• Replace damaged sockets or wrench heads rather than forcing them into service.

Cited authority: 1915.133(b).

No — impact tools such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels must be kept free of mushroomed heads and may not be used while mushroomed. See 1915.133(c).

• A mushroomed head can shatter or send sharp fragments when struck; remove the tool from service.
• Repair options: reface or grind the head to restore the original shape when safe and per manufacturer or shop practice, or replace the tool if repair is not practicable.

Cited authority: 1915.133(c).

Prevent mushrooming by using the correct striking tools, avoiding metal-on-metal hits with improper hammers, and maintaining proper striking surfaces; impact tools must be kept free of mushroomed heads. See 1915.133(c).

• Use a hammer of the correct type and hardness for the impact tool.
• Avoid striking chisels or pins with hardened or misshapen hammers that accelerate mushrooming.
• Inspect heads regularly and remove from service at the first sign of deformation.

Cited authority: 1915.133(c).

No — wooden handles of tools must be kept free of splinters or cracks and must be tight in the tool; you must not use tools that fail these conditions. See 1915.133(d).

• If a handle is splintered, cracked, or loose, replace the handle or the tool.
• Secure handles properly (for example, with wedges) and verify they do not move in the head before returning to service.

Cited authority: 1915.133(d).

"Tight in the tool" means the wooden handle is solidly fitted so it does not move or loosen in the tool head; if it is loose it must be repaired or replaced before use. See 1915.133(d).

• Ensure the handle fits snugly in the head and does not rock or shift under normal use.
• If loose, remove the tool from service and repair by installing a correctly sized handle and securing it per good shop practice (e.g., wedges) or replace the tool.

Cited authority: 1915.133(d).

No — 1915.133(a) requires employers to not issue or permit unsafe hand tools but does not set a specific inspection frequency; employers must set inspection intervals based on the work, tools, and hazards. See 1915.133(a).

• Common practice: inspect tools before each use or at regular intervals determined by a competent person.
• Documented inspections and a written schedule help show the employer's proactive control of tool safety.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a).

You must remove the unsafe hand tool from use immediately so it is not issued or used until repaired or replaced, consistent with 1915.133(a).

• Tag or lock out the tool to prevent use and store it separately.
• Notify supervision and arrange repair or replacement before putting the tool back into service.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a).

No — using a cheater bar increases the risk of deforming or springing the wrench jaws and causing slippage, which is prohibited when slippage can occur under 1915.133(b).

• Use a properly sized tool or a longer wrench designed for higher torque rather than improvised extensions.
• Improvised leverage can damage the tool and create a serious slip or strike hazard.

Cited authority: 1915.133(b).

You may return an impact tool to service only after the mushroomed head has been removed and the tool restored to a safe condition; the standard requires impact tools to be kept free of mushroomed heads. See 1915.133(c).

• Grinding or refacing is acceptable if it fully removes the mushroomed material and the tool meets original design and safety criteria.
• If the tool is compromised (cracked, excessively thinned, or heat-damaged), replace it rather than repair.

Cited authority: 1915.133(c).

No — 1915.133(d) specifically addresses wooden handles and requires they be free of splinters or cracks and tight; it does not prohibit other handle materials. See 1915.133(d).

• For non-wood handles (fiberglass, composite, metal), follow the manufacturer's guidance and general good safety practices to ensure they are not cracked, deformed, or loosened.
• Inspect all handle types for damage and remove from service if they present a hazard.

Cited authority: 1915.133(d).

The standard requires employers to ensure unsafe hand tools are not issued or used but does not prohibit workers from performing repairs; repairs should be performed only by trained, authorized persons to restore tools to a safe condition. See 1915.133(a).

• Only let trained, qualified employees perform repairs; otherwise tag and remove the tool from use until repaired.
• Document repair procedures and ensure repairs restore the tool to its original safe condition.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a).

Yes — the employer must ensure tools are safe and may rely on a competent person to recognize unsafe conditions and specify protections; a competent person is someone capable of recognizing hazards and specifying necessary protection and precautions. See 1915.133(a) and the OSHA letter explaining the role of a competent person in shipyards at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18.

• The competent person should be trained and experienced in tool inspection and maintenance.
• Employers retain responsibility to ensure the competent person’s decisions are implemented and documented.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a) and OSHA Letter: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18

You must not use a hammer whose head is loose; the wooden handle must be tight in the tool and free of defects before use per 1915.133(d).

• Remove the hammer from service and either tighten the head securely (proper fitting and wedge) or replace the handle/tool.
• Inspect striking faces and heads for mushrooming and defects before returning to service; see 1915.133(c).

Cited authority: 1915.133(d) and 1915.133(c).

No — the employer must not issue or permit the use of unsafe hand tools; if a defect makes the tool unsafe (for example, sprung jaws, mushroomed head, cracked or loose wooden handle), it must be removed from use regardless of worker caution. See 1915.133(a)–(d).

• Minor cosmetic defects that do not affect safe operation may be permissible, but the employer must evaluate and document that the defect does not create a hazard.
• When in doubt, remove the tool from service and repair or replace it.

Cited authority: 1915.133(a), 1915.133(b), 1915.133(c), and 1915.133(d).