Safety Tips

General

• Always use the correct type and size tool for the job.
  
• Always keep your tools in good working condition.
  
• Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
  
• Plastisol covered handles are for user comfort-not electrical insulation.
  
• Never use a tool as a hammer unless it's manufactured for that purpose.
  

Wrenches

• Never use a pipe extension or other form of 'Cheater' to increase the leverage of any wrench.
  
• Select a wrench whose opening exactly fits the bolt or nut.
  
• When possible, always pull on a wrench handle and adjust your stance to prevent a fall if sudden release occurs.
  
• To free a frozen nut bolt, use a striking face wrench.
  
• Adjustable wrenches should be tightly adjusted to the nut or bolt, and pulled so that the force is on the side of the fixed jaw.
  
• Discard any wrench with a bent handle or broken housing.
  
• Do not use a pipe wrench on square stock, such as a pipe tap or extractor.
  
• Never use a pipe wrench to bend, raise or lift a pipe.
  
• Never use hand sockets or attachments on power tools.
  
• When using power/impact sockets and attachments always use the appropriate socket retaining system.
  

Clamps

• Discard any C-Clamp that has a bent frame or spindle.
  
• Never use a C-Clamp for hoisting work or supporting a scaffold or platform that may be used to hold people.

Punches & Chisels

• Never use cold chisels for cutting or splitting stone or concrete.
  
• Never use a dull punch or chisel, or one with a mushroomed head.
  
• Discard any punch or chisel if it is bent or shows dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming or excessive wear.

Pliers & Snips

• Pliers should not be used for cutting hardened wire unless specifically manufactured for that purpose.
  
• Don't bend stiff wire with light pliers.
  
• Needle nose pliers can be damaged by using the tips to bend too large a wire.
  
• Use the correct size and type of snips for the job.
  Don't try to cut sharp curves with straight cut snips.
  

Screwdrivers

• Make sure the tip fits the slot of the screw-not too loose or tight.
  
• Don't use a screwdriver for prying, punching, chiseling, scoring or scraping.
  
• Don't use a screwdriver (or any other tool) near live electrical wires.
  
• Discard a screwdriver that has a worn or broken handle.

Pullers 

• Always select the proper puller for the pulling job-always use a puller equal to or larger than required.
  
• Always use hand tools on puller, avoid the use of power tools.
  
• Always make sure that the puller is aligned with the shaft, assuring a straight pull during its operation.
  

Hammers

• A hammer blow should always be struck squarely with hammer striking face parallel with surface being struck.
  
• Always avoid glancing blow as well as over and under strikes.
  
• When striking another tool (chisel, punch, etc.), the striking face of hammer should have a diameter approximately 3/8" larger than the struck face of the tool.
  
• Never use one hammer to strike another hammer or hatchet.
  
• Never use a striking or struck tool with a loose or damaged handle.
  
• Discard any striking or struck tool if the tool shows dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming or excessive wear.
  
• Never regrind, weld or reheat a treated hammer.