Safe Use of Clamps Through Proper Selection
The Hand Tools Institute
Like other hand tools, the safe use of clamps is very important.
True or False: Railroad spikes are best driven with a tack hammer?
The question may seem a bit absurd and the answer to it a resounding “FALSE!”, but it does point out two common attitudes that are responsible for many injuries related to using hand tools improperly.
The notions “one tool does all” or “any tool will do” result in wasted effort, poor quality work, damage to the misused tool, and exposing the user to possible injury, according to the Hand Tools Institute, an association of American manufacturers of quality hand tools.
As with hammers, pliers, wrenches and all other hand tools, design is a key element to the type of work a tool is intended to do properly and safely, says HTI.
Clamps are no exception and should be selected to conform to the work they are to perform.
Clamps are first cousins to vises and the most common relative is the C-clamp. Although C-clamps are extremely versatile, they will not, however, suffice for every job.
HTI suggests that C-clamps serve only as temporary devices for holding work securely in place. Clamps should be removed from the work as soon as the job has been finished.
Always select the proper clamps by determining the required opening, depth, strength and weight. The hindrance of a screw extending beyond the frame can be eliminated by selecting a clamp with a smaller screw.
Before each project, evaluate the type of clamp needed, whether it shall be a bar clamp, C-clamp, spring clamp, hand screw clamp, web clamp, miter clamp or any of the other varieties available.
The finest clamp, like any tool, can be damaged by rough handling, improper selection and overloading. Clamps should be kept in a rack to protect them from damage.
Some other suggestions for using clamps properly include:
– Use pads with C-clamps to avoid marring the work.
– Discard any clamp that has a bent spindle or frame.
– Before using, make sure the swivel end of the screw turns freely.
HTI also recommends wearing safety goggles at all times when using hand tools to guard against possible eye injuries.
Be choosy
The Hand Tools Institute suggests selecting the right type of clamp for the kind of work it is intended. Although there is a large selection of C-clamps available, opening size, depth, weight and strength are important criteria. C-clamps come in a variety of sizes and styles; there is even greater variety in the clamp family, from web clamps to bar and pipe clamps.
The Hand Tools Institute (HTI) is the trade association of North American manufacturers of non-powered hand tools and tool boxes. The objectives of the institute are to promote and further the interests of its members relative to manufacturing, safety, standardization, international trade and government relations.
Related Articles
Psychological safety is crucial for building high-performance teams in all areas of business as it fosters an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves, take risks, share ideas, and collaborate effectively. With over 30 years in industry developing high performance teams, here are some of the benefits I have seen to growing psychological safety in the workplace.
Psychological safety is crucial for building high-performance teams in all areas of business as it fosters an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves, take risks, share ideas, and collaborate effectively. With over 30 years in industry developing high performance teams, here are some of the benefits I have seen to growing psychological safety in the workplace.
See More
U.S. fire departments receive an estimated 42,800 reports of fires from industrial and manufacturing facilities each year, according to the NFPA. Fire prevention and emergency action plans are two tools to ensure employees know what to do before and after a fire alarm sounds.
U.S. fire departments receive an estimated 42,800 reports of fires from industrial and manufacturing facilities each year, according to the NFPA. Fire prevention and emergency action plans are two tools to ensure employees know what to do before and after a fire alarm sounds.
See More
Because maintenance departments are often recognized as caretakers of company safety initiatives, they're inundated with all things safety: messages, procedures, meetings, checks, equipment, training and permits, etc. Despite their good intentions, however, some maintenance professionals still get hurt on the job. To understand why, we need only to draw a parallel with automobile accidents.
Because maintenance departments are often recognized as caretakers of company safety initiatives, they're inundated with all things safety: messages, procedures, meetings, checks, equipment, training and permits, etc. Despite their good intentions, however, some maintenance professionals still get hurt on the job. To understand why, we need only to draw a parallel with automobile accidents.
See More
ISO 12100 is a fundamental safety standard being developed that will apply to a very broad array of machinery. There are many machines that have specific industry consensus standards that pertain to the particular equipment (e.g., power presses, robots, packaging machinery). There are many more machines for which no industry specific standard exists. In this case, the ISO “A level” standard ISO 12100 Safety of Machinery applies. Complying with the requirements of ISO 12100 is a critical first step in achieving mobility of equipment and consistent operations.
ISO 12100 is a fundamental safety standard being developed that will apply to a very broad array of machinery. There are many machines that have specific industry consensus standards that pertain to the particular equipment (e.g., power presses, robots, packaging machinery). There are many more machines for which no industry specific standard exists. In this case, the ISO “A level” standard ISO 12100 Safety of Machinery applies. Complying with the requirements of ISO 12100 is a critical first step in achieving mobility of equipment and consistent operations.
See More
Significant engineering and test efforts
have been undertaken in the last few years into the area of arc flash/blast hazards in electrical equipment. The result has been a better understanding of arcing faults and how to prevent and/or minimize the hazards to personnel and equipment. This paper highlights some of the findings that may help in safety management and equipment selection. This paper concludes with some design considerations that will help reduce the hazards of arcing faults.
Significant engineering and test efforts
have been undertaken in the last few years into the area of arc flash/blast hazards in electrical equipment. The result has been a better understanding of arcing faults and how to prevent and/or minimize the hazards to personnel and equipment. This paper highlights some of the findings that may help in safety management and equipment selection. This paper concludes with some design considerations that will help reduce the hazards of arcing faults.
See More
Have safety efforts gravitated into the back seat driver technique being applied in your workplace? When an employee’s actions are observed as not in accordance with the safety rules and procedures, their error is brought to their attention. The workplace reality is that this error often goes unaddressed, or even unobserved, until a safety incident occurs. The safety incident becomes the trigger for an investigation. The investigation determines what actions led up to the safety incident and often stop at the point of identifying the human error. The resulting corrective measures attempt to contain the human error by revising policies, enhancing procedures, retraining employees, punishing offenders, or some combination thereof. Such corrective measures lag behind the worker’s thought process.
Have safety efforts gravitated into the back seat driver technique being applied in your workplace? When an employee’s actions are observed as not in accordance with the safety rules and procedures, their error is brought to their attention. The workplace reality is that this error often goes unaddressed, or even unobserved, until a safety incident occurs. The safety incident becomes the trigger for an investigation. The investigation determines what actions led up to the safety incident and often stop at the point of identifying the human error. The resulting corrective measures attempt to contain the human error by revising policies, enhancing procedures, retraining employees, punishing offenders, or some combination thereof. Such corrective measures lag behind the worker’s thought process.
See More
Most efforts to decrease the frequency and severity of injuries to miners have stressed miner training and work procedures, improved work environments and safety and environmental control equipment, improved personal protective equipment, improved equipment control and display design, enhanced lighting and visibility-related research, and organizational issues. However, the industry has paid much less attention to the design of the mining machine itself with respect to maintenance cost or safety for the maintainer.
Most efforts to decrease the frequency and severity of injuries to miners have stressed miner training and work procedures, improved work environments and safety and environmental control equipment, improved personal protective equipment, improved equipment control and display design, enhanced lighting and visibility-related research, and organizational issues. However, the industry has paid much less attention to the design of the mining machine itself with respect to maintenance cost or safety for the maintainer.
See More
