Power Drills And Safety

What would we do without power drills? They make the projects on our 'to do' list much easier to complete. It seems as though many people have used them for so long the often take for granted the potential dangers in their use and as a result they become lax in their safety procedures. Be fully aware that while power tools are indeed helpful, they can also cause injury and even death when used improperly.

Businesses whose employees use power drills are required by law to ensure that those employees use proper safety equipment and procedures while operating the tools. There is no regulatory agency over your shoulder when you are working on a weekend project at home, but that should not stop you from using the safety equipment you know you should, regardless of who is watching.

I know you're probably about to say that safety equipment is too expensive, that you can't afford it. The harsh reality is that safety equipment is a lot cheaper than a visit to the Emergency Room. Or maybe you are in too much of a rush to bother with safety equipment. Let's just hope that the doctors aren't in too much of a hurry to sterilize their hands before they try to reattach yours.

Safety Goggles

The most commonly called for - and most commonly dismissed - safety tool is the safety goggle. Dirt, dust and even particle fragments from the surface you are working on will often be flying around rather quickly when you work. Drill bits are known to break and send dangerous hot fragments of metal into the air. What happens if those particles make a beeline for your eye?

Gloves and Clothing

Work gloves can protect your hands from all sorts of potential hazards ranging from splinters to major cuts from sharp metal.

Proper clothing is equally important to your safety. Long sleeved, close fitting shirts are advisable. The sleeves can protect you from burns and cuts, and by not wearing loose clothing you are reducing the potential risk of getting your clothing caught in a power tool.

When called for, you should be sure to wear steel toed, non skid shoes or boots.

Ear Protection

Power tools are quite loud. Regardless of whether you intend to use power drills for 1 minute or several hours, you should employ the use of ear plugs or other ear protection. Hearing loss is a very serious problem, so you should do everything in your power to protect what you've got.

While power drills can significantly reduce the amount of time required to complete a project, it is imperative that you take the extra time to use the right safety equipment when you are using them. The minor expense of time and money will pay you back many times over. Regardless of how carefully you work, accidents can happen in an instant. When one does happen, will you be prepared for and protected from it?