Subpart I
Electric power-operated tools must either be of an approved double-insulated type or be grounded in accordance with the construction grounding rules. Employers must follow 1926.302(a)(1) when choosing and using electric tools.
No — the use of electric cords for hoisting or lowering tools is not permitted. This is expressly prohibited by 1926.302(a)(2), because cords can be damaged and create shock or drop hazards.
Pneumatic tools must be secured to the hose or whip by a positive means (for example, a locking coupling) so the tool cannot become accidentally disconnected. This requirement is in 1926.302(b)(1).
Pneumatic impact tools must have safety clips or retainers securely installed and maintained so attachments cannot be accidentally expelled. See 1926.302(b)(2) for this requirement.
Automatic-feed pneumatic nailers, staplers, and similar tools that operate over 100 p.s.i. must have a muzzle safety device that prevents ejection of fasteners unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface, per 1926.302(b)(3).
Compressed air may only be used for cleaning when reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and only with effective chip guarding and required personal protective equipment. The rule is in 1926.302(b)(4). Employers must also follow PPE selection requirements in [1926 Subpart E] (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926) and perform a PPE hazard assessment as discussed in OSHA’s interpretation on PPE hazard assessment (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).
You must not exceed the manufacturer's safe operating pressure ratings for hoses, pipes, valves, filters, and other fittings. This is required by 1926.302(b)(5).
No — the use of hoses for hoisting or lowering tools is prohibited under 1926.302(b)(6), because hoses are not designed to bear those loads and could fail.
Hoses with an inside diameter exceeding 1/2 inch must have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case the hose fails, as required in 1926.302(b)(7).
Airless spray guns that atomize paints at very high pressures (1,000 psi or more) must have automatic or visible manual safety devices preventing trigger pull until manually released; alternatively, they may use a diffuser nut plus a nozzle tip guard or equivalent protection, per 1926.302(b)(8) and 1926.302(b)(9).
Abrasive blast cleaning nozzles must have an operating valve that the operator must hold open manually; see 1926.302(b)(10). Also, a support for mounting the nozzle when not in use is required by the standard's general provisions.
Fuel-powered tools must be stopped while being refueled, serviced, or maintained, and fuels must be handled and stored per the fuel-storage rules in construction subpart F. This is required by 1926.302(c)(1) and related 1926 Subpart F.
When fuel-powered tools are used in enclosed spaces, employers must comply with the requirements for toxic gases and PPE found in construction Subparts D and E and related sections, including ventilation and respiratory protection as needed.
Hydraulic tools must use fire-resistant fluids that are approved under Schedule 30 of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and that retain operating characteristics at expected extreme temperatures, as stated in 1926.302(d)(1).
Manufacturers' safe operating pressures for hydraulic hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and fittings must not be exceeded, in line with 1926.302(d)(2).
Only employees who have been trained in the operation of the specific model of powder-actuated tool being used may operate it, as required by 1926.302(e)(1).
Powder-actuated tools must be tested each day before loading to ensure safety devices work, and any tool found defective or developing a defect during use must be immediately removed from service until repaired, per 1926.302(e)(2) and 1926.302(e)(3).
Employers must provide personal protective equipment in accordance with construction Subpart E and must assess hazards before selecting PPE; OSHA’s interpretation on PPE hazard assessment clarifies that employers must assess the workplace and document PPE choices when PPE is required (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).
Tools must not be loaded until just before firing, must never be pointed at employees (whether loaded or empty), hands must be kept clear of the barrel, and loaded tools must not be left unattended, as set out in 1926.302(e)(5) and 1926.302(e)(6).
Fasteners must not be driven into very hard or brittle materials (like cast iron, glazed tile, face brick) and should be avoided into easily penetrated materials unless backed to prevent through-penetration; no fastener should be driven into a spalled area from a prior unsatisfactory fastening, per 1926.302(e)(7), 1926.302(e)(8), and 1926.302(e)(9).
No — powder-actuated tools must not be used in explosive or flammable atmospheres, as specified in 1926.302(e)(10).
Employers must assess hazards, select appropriate PPE, and provide training and equipment consistent with construction Subpart E; this includes evaluating tool hazards (flying chips, noise, vibration, gases) and documenting the assessment when PPE is required. See 1926.302(e)(4) and OSHA's interpretation on PPE hazard assessments, which explains employer responsibilities for hazard assessment and written certification when PPE will be required (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).
Any tool that is not in proper working order or develops a defect during use must be immediately removed from service and not used until it is properly repaired, as required by 1926.302(e)(3).
Yes — the general limit of reducing compressed air to less than 30 p.s.i. for cleaning does not apply to cleaning concrete form, mill scale, and similar cleaning purposes, as noted in 1926.302(b)(4). When other compressed-air cleaning is performed, lower pressure, chip guarding, and appropriate PPE are required.
The employer is responsible for ensuring daily testing is performed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended procedure before loading and that any defective tool is taken out of service; see 1926.302(e)(2) and the instruction that testing be done per the manufacturer's procedure in 1926.302(e)(3).
A support must be provided on which the nozzle may be mounted when it is not in use, as the standard requires a safe place to set or secure blast nozzles in addition to the requirement for a manually held operating valve in 1926.302(b)(10).
Employers must use pneumatic nailers with muzzle safety devices when operating above 100 p.s.i. so fasteners cannot be ejected unless the muzzle contacts the work surface (see 1926.302(b)(3)). Employers should also provide appropriate PPE after performing a hazard assessment as required by OSHA's PPE guidance (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).
If a hose exceeding 1/2 inch inside diameter lacks a pressure-reducing safety device at the source or branch line and fails, the employer would be violating 1926.302(b)(7) and must install such a device to protect workers from a sudden high-pressure release.
No — employers must provide required PPE at no cost and base selection on a hazard assessment, not solely on worker-provided equipment; see 1926.302(e)(4) and OSHA's PPE hazard assessment interpretation explaining employer responsibility for assessing hazards and providing appropriate PPE (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).