Health & Safety PPE

Following on from the insight into “The Importance of Safety Equipment”, this insight by Quality Tools UK, provides tips and advice on maintaining high levels of health and safety within Drilling, Cutting, Welding, Grinding or similar applications. Quality Tools UK provides superior PPE and Safety Accessories developed by Parweld for industrial heavy-duty welding, grinding, cutting and fabrication applications, supplying their PPE range and their Panther PPE selection for the most rigorous projects.

What PPE should be used in Drilling and Cutting Applications?

Eye protection, such as Face Shields, Goggles and Spectacles – ensures eyesight protection against chips and surface material debris from the drilling or cutting process.
Gloves, Gauntlets and Sleeves – provides strong grip and grasp of the drilling or cutting device for a strong and reliable position, alongside additional support against debris and physical body strains.
Headwear such as helmets, hard hats and bandannas/hoods/head scarves – adds security of the users head against debris and holds long hair uptight preventing entanglement with the tools.
Jackets, Coats, Knee Pads, Safety Boots and Safety Shoes – additional PPE Clothing support for prevention against debris and providing comfort for joints and body pains in industrial workplaces or outdoor spaces.
Clamp Devices – this equipment provides a secure grip by locking the workpiece or tool in place, ensuring a safe process without slippage and providing dangers and risks to the user or nearby personnel within the vicinity.
Ear Plugs and Defenders – useful in high noise environments caused by strong or aggressive drilling, cutting, welding, fabricating or grinding scenarios.
Respiratory and Ventilation Equipment – health risks associated with industrial workshop uses are a major concern, resulting in discomfort, respiratory illnesses, harmful airborne pollutants, toxins, headaches and more serious issues such as asthma or cancer related diagnoses.
Strong Lighting – visibility of the workpiece is critical to ensure a safe cut, weld, grind or drilling application is executed safely.
Fire Blankets and Extinguishers – having fire safety equipment on hand should be a priority for any user in the event of an incident occurring.
First Aid Kits – in case of emergencies, where injuries are sustained from cutting or drilling activities, it is highly recommended that fully kitted first aid sets are available on hand for such an event.

View more details on Health & Safety Equipment on our blog insight post: The Importance of Safety Equipment.

Safety Tips:

The Benefits of Eyewear Safety

Safety Glasses/Spectacles: These offer lightweight and convenient protection against debris, with the added benefit of clear visibility for the task at hand. Some models also provide UV and light protection.
Safety Goggles: These provide superior protection compared to glasses, offering a tighter seal around the eyes and better resistance to particles, liquids, and even gases.
Visors, Face Shields, and Helmets: These are specialised pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for tasks like grinding or welding. They offer comprehensive protection, extending beyond the eyes to include the face, hearing (in some cases), and respiratory system.

Advantages of Gloves and PPE Clothing

Hand Protection: Investing in the right gloves is essential for worker safety and productivity. A wide range of options exists, from cut-resistant to heat-resistant and chemical-resistant gloves. By selecting the appropriate gloves for each task, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries like cuts, burns, and chemical exposure. Moreover, the right gloves enhance grip and dexterity, improving worker efficiency and reducing the risk of dropped tools or materials.
Respiratory Protection: Face Masks, PAPR devices and other respiratory equipment offer critical protection against a range of viral hazards, including silica dust, welding fumes, and chemical vapors. This helps prevent conditions like silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Hearing Protection: Loud noise can cause fatigue, distraction, and even accidents. By wearing earplugs or ear defenders/earmuffs, you can reduce noise levels to comfortable levels, improving focus, concentration, and overall productivity.
Foot/Leg Protection: Foot and leg injuries can have long-lasting consequences, impacting your mobility and overall quality of life. Safety footwear is an essential investment in your long-term health and well-being, allowing you to maintain an active and fulfilling life both on and off the job.
Body Protection: Jackets, aprons, and sleeves offer vital protection against heat, flames, and sparks, especially during welding and other high-temperature operations. These garments function as a crucial barrier, preventing burns and protecting your skin from injury.

Correct Clothing Tips

Loose clothing, jewellery, ties, and long hair can create significant hazards during drilling operations. These items can become entangled between the drilling tool and the workpiece, potentially causing serious injuries. Additionally, jewellery may become magnetised by the tools due to the interaction of metal components.

To ensure optimal safety, loose or baggy clothing and jewellery must be avoided. Individuals with long hair should either tie it back securely or wear appropriate headwear.

PPE Gloves & Gauntlets Available At Quality Tools UK

Environmental Factors

A safe working environment is paramount for both businesses and individual employees. Flying debris from cutting/drilling and spatter, sparks, and flames from welding/grinding pose serious injury risks to workers and bystanders.

Utilising barriers such as large screens, tents, curtains, and booths can effectively contain these hazards. Furthermore, debris on the ground significantly increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls, a leading cause of workplace injuries in the UK.

Maintaining clean and clear floors is a crucial, yet simple, safety measure for any workplace or individual engaged in metalwork activities.

Lighting and Ventilation Considerations

Adequate lighting and ventilation are crucial for a safe and productive drilling environment. Good lighting reduces eye strain and fatigue, improving accuracy and reducing the risk of accidents. It also enhances visibility, allowing for easier identification of potential hazards like cracks, obstructions, and spills. Proper ventilation ensures that harmful fumes, dust, and gases generated during drilling operations are effectively removed. This reduces the risk of respiratory problems, headaches, and other health issues for workers. Additionally, good ventilation helps to maintain a comfortable and safe working temperature, preventing heat stress and improving overall worker well-being.

The Importance of the correct Drill Bit & Drill Bit Condition

Damaged Workpiece:

Incorrect Drill Bit Size: Using a bit that's too small can generate excessive pressure and heat, potentially damaging the material or causing it to crack. Conversely, a bit that's too large can result in loose, unstable holes, compromising the structural integrity of the workpiece.

Tool Failure and Operator Risk:

Mismatched Tool and Material: Employing a tool unsuitable for the material being worked on can lead to excessive strain on the tool. This can generate excessive heat, potentially causing fires or electrical malfunctions.
Dull or Damaged Tools: Worn-out or damaged tools, such as dull drill bits, require more force to operate. This increased force can lead to tool breakage, kickbacks, and potential injuries to the operator.

Mitigating Risks Through Proper Tool Management

To ensure workplace safety and prevent these hazards, a robust tool management system is essential:

Quality Assurance (QA) Checks: Before any tool is used, it must undergo thorough inspection and quality assurance checks to ensure it's in proper working condition and suitable for the intended task.
Regular Maintenance: Tools should be regularly maintained, including sharpening, cleaning, and replacing worn-out parts.
Proper Storage: Tools should be stored correctly to prevent damage and ensure they are readily available when needed.
Operator Training: Workers must be properly trained on the safe use and maintenance of all tools in their workspace.

By prioritising the selection and maintenance of the correct tools, businesses can significantly enhance workplace safety, improve the quality of work, and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Subscribe to Quality Tools UK Insights for more details, advice and information on choosing the correct tools for certain applications.

Workpiece Security

While selecting the correct tool is crucial, its effectiveness hinges on proper setup and the secure clamping of the workpiece. This ensures safe and efficient operation while minimising potential hazards.

Benefits of Proper Setup and Clamping:

Enhanced Stability: Securely clamping the workpiece prevents movement during operation. This eliminates the risk of the workpiece shifting, which can lead to:

Tool breakage: Sudden movements can cause the tool to bind, snap, or kickback.
Injuries: Uncontrolled movement can cause the workpiece to fly off, potentially injuring the operator or nearby personnel.
Inaccurate results: Movement can lead to inconsistent results, such as uneven cuts, inaccurate holes, or damaged surfaces.

Improved Control: Proper clamping provides better control over the tool and the workpiece, allowing for more precise and accurate operations.
Reduced Operator Fatigue: Secure clamping reduces the effort required to guide the tool, minimizing operator fatigue and the risk of errors.

Available Clamping Solutions:

A wide variety of clamping devices are available to suit different needs, including:

Vises: Versatile clamping devices for holding workpieces securely in place.
Clamps: Various types of clamps, such as C-clamps, bar clamps, and toggle clamps, provide flexible clamping solutions.
Magnetic Bases: Ideal for holding ferrous materials securely in place.
Workholding Fixtures: Specialised fixtures designed for specific applications, offering precise and repeatable clamping.

By prioritising proper tool setup and workpiece clamping, businesses can significantly enhance workplace safety, improve the quality of work, and optimize the efficiency of their operations.

Strains, Repetitive Motion and Ergonomic Injuries

Drilling and cutting operations, especially when performed repetitively, can significantly increase the risk of strains, repetitive motion injuries, and other ergonomic issues. Repetitive motions, such as gripping, twisting, and applying force, can lead to overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and muscle strains. Awkward postures, such as reaching, bending, or twisting, can also strain muscles and joints, leading to back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Additionally, vibration from power tools can contribute to hand-arm vibration syndrome, causing numbness, tingling, and reduced blood circulation in the hands and fingers. In order to avoid this, it is advised that people adopt proper work techniques, such as maintaining a firm grip on the tool and avoiding excessive force. Other solutions include regular rest breaks, to reduce fatigue and prevent overuse injuries.

By implementing these safety measures, workers can significantly reduce their exposure to health risks associated with drilling and cutting operations.

In an event of an incident, it is strongly recommended and in some cases compulsory that first aid kits are at hand. Typically, items such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and other essential first aid supplies are found within these kits which offer vital support and relief for any injuries sustained in an industrial accident whilst awaiting more advanced medical attention from paramedics or hospital treatment.

Summary

By implementing a comprehensive safety program that includes the proper selection and use of PPE, maintaining a safe work environment, and addressing ergonomic risks, businesses can significantly enhance workplace safety in drilling, cutting, and related applications. This not only protects workers from injuries but also improves productivity, reduces downtime, and enhances overall workplace well-being.

Want to learn more on Health & Safety within Drilling & Cutting Applications? Check out our other Insight Post on "The Importance of Safety Equipment".