Health, safety and hand tools

We are all familiar with a raft of ludicrous and intrusive health and safety stories – interventions by over-zealous jobsworths attempting to police our daily lives. Health and safety has become something of a standing joke, but generally it is the interpretation rather than the concept that is at fault. We may laugh at the more ridiculous pronouncements and complain of the costs incurred by complying with new legislation – but we should not forget the positive impact of many health and safety regulations on the workplace, especially within the electrical industry.

Entirely new hand tools are only rarely invented. For the most part, the core essential tools have been around a long time – adapted, over the years, to new technologies or working practices. However, one of the most significant factors influencing recent changes in electrical hand tools has been the tightening of Health and Safety at Work regulations. Demand for tools that conform to rigorous standards is being further reinforced by site safety requirements. There’s a clear trend: if the equipment doesn’t measure up, access will be denied.

Currently, at best, the economy continues to stagnate due to the credit crunch, with many markets still in decline. For the foreseeable future, it is expected that activity within all areas of construction will focus primarily on repair and maintenance. Electrical contractors will not want to undertake this sort of work without total confidence in their tools and equipment and constant review of Building Regulations and Wiring Regulations add to the pressure to adhere to best practices.

The opportunity exists for electrical wholesalers to anticipate a growing demand for the right tools for the job – stocking and advising on intrinsically safe products from reputable manufacturers and approved by the relevant independent bodies.

Innovation
In the electrical market, much of the innovation in pliers, wire cutters and screwdrivers has originated in Germany where, coincidentally, most of the highly regarded independent test houses are located. Cause, effect, Germany’s reputation for quality and precision engineering, or compliance with EU Directives – the net result has been the development of a range of products, specifically for the electrical industry, that put safety first.

Take VDE rated pliers, cutters and screwdrivers. There was a time when such products were simply required to be insulated – not the same thing as being independently VDE tested and production audited. Because insulated tools can still conduct electricity, they are a potentially life-threatening hazard should they be used with live wires. Maybe VDE tools are more expensive and replacement of lost tools can be costly – but cheap alternatives are a false economy compared to the potential loss of a life.

All VDE approved tools carry an internationally recognised certification mark – guaranteeing their safety and performance. But beware it is not enough that tools meet the international IEC 60090:2004 standard. The handle of each and every VDE hand tool should be indelibly stamped with the VDE symbol – signifying an independent and higher certification of quality control assurance that extends across the entire manufacturing process. In the case of the German pliers manufacturer, NWS, this includes each individual handle being tested as puncture proof to 10,000V – ten times more than the required 1,000V insulation standard.

Duty of care
Electrical wholesalers have a duty of care to advise electricians to select VDE tools in order to comply with safety regulations governing electricity at work. Customers should also be aware that the continued use of damaged VDE products can put them at serious risk – tools should be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if there is any sign of the insulation being compromised in any way.

Europe’s major specialist producer of adjustable wrenches has even devised a handle for the electrical market that features three layers of different coloured insulation – making it easy to spot any damage immediately.

Obviously, because of their configuration and/or intended purpose, not all electrical hand tools are suitable for VDE accreditation. Nevertheless, top brands of wrenches and waterpump pliers will still be insulated to a very high standard – typically IEC 900 and EN 60900.

Ergonomics
While legislation may concentrate on aspects of safety at work, specialist manufacturers have the resources and impetus to address another key area: health, specifically the science of ergonomics.

A lot of time and research is spent on the design, configuration and materials of hand tools. By their very nature, there is considerable potential for strain (the cause of 47 per cent of work-related health problems) or injury to occur. Comfortable and easyto- grip non-slip handles are essential – and safer.

The tool should be designed to reduce strain when constantly used in a twisting, squeezing, cutting or similar motion. All hand tools must be smooth, well balanced, the right size and purpose for the job. They should also produce maximum performance with minimum effort. A good example is the recently introduced ErgoCombi pliers – the handle adjusts to suit the way the tool is being used, significantly reducing strain on wrists and forearms.

It is little wonder that ergonomically designed, high quality fit for purpose branded tools from top manufacturers attract a premium price. The professional tradesman cannot afford to jeopardise health, safety, or work time by relying on inferior products – especially when 60 per cent of all industrial accidents are already caused by hand tools.

As part of the increasing focus on health and safety at work, a relatively recent issue is attracting attention: working at heights. Apart from the inconvenience of having to stop work in order to retrieve or replace a dropped tool, there is a very serious risk of injury or damage being caused.

Just consider: a 1lb wrench falling 10ft from a ladder will hit the ground in less than a second. Potentially, that could amount to an awful lot of harm. Anyone working at height has a responsibility to prevent their tools falling and striking someone below; dropping onto property, machinery or equipment; causing damage and even a costly shutdown.

The solution is simple but effective and one with which we are already familiar for items such a mobile phones, cameras and keys: tethering. The American company Ergodyne has an established range of lanyards designed to tether hand tools directly to the user, a belt or a secure point on the workplace. Wrist tethers are becoming increasingly popular. These lanyards feature a comfortable quick-release attachment to the wrist with a tether long enough to allow unrestricted movement, without causing the wearer to get snarled up or trip. But however it is secured, it is vitally important that the lanyard is appropriate for the weight of the tool.

Provide advice
Times are tough. But the electrical wholesaler can generate sales by being well informed, providing sound advice on the selection of tools and their correct usage. Increasingly, electrical contractors are bound to look to the wholesaler for guidance on the latest Health, Safety, Building and Wiring regulations. There will be sustained demand for those brands of tools that measure up and enjoy a reputation for quality and performance. After all, professional tradesmen will not risk their personal health and safety if offered a hand tool that is fully fit for purpose.