Updates to our popular Hand Tools training program and resources are meant to better prepare workplace representatives and workers confronted by common hand tool hazards.
 
Equally important, this training can help employers comply with health and safety law.
 
Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide information and instruction to workers to protect their health and safety including health and safety hazards posed by occupational hand tools. Quality training is a key way employers can meet this obligation.

Common hazards

Most industries, trades and businesses require workers to use hand tools ranging from kitchen knives and skill saws to wrenches and power drills. There are many hazardous factors associated with the use of these and other powered and non-powered hand tools, including:

• inappropriate tools available for the job
• poorly designed tools, including inadequate safety guards
• poorly maintained tools
• poorly designed workstations at which to use tools
• improper use, and
• lack of training.

Common injuries

When considering all of these hazards, it’s no surprise hand tools are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries.
 
Workers suffer bruises, cuts, punctures, amputation, even electrocution. When tasks are repetitive and performed for prolonged periods, workers can also develop crippling sprains, strains and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the hand, wrist, shoulder and neck.

Key program updates

A key update of the WHSC’s three-hour Hand Tools program is the introduction of a learning framework that reflects our hazard-based approach to identify, assess and effectively control hand tool-related hazards. This includes ongoing evaluations by joint health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, supervisors and workers to ensure controls remain effective.
 
The entire hazard tracking process is reviewed and clarified in the newly-updated sessions on safety policy and programs, and hierarchy of controls.
 
New resources have also been added to support efforts, including WHSC’s recently developed hazard tracking template, along with a hazard assessment tool adapted from the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario’s MSD prevention toolkit.
 
Further changes to the Hand Tools program add, update or expand upon:

• types of hazardous factors, including weight of tools, trigger designs (activation devices) and electricity
• regulations, standards, codes and leading resources to ensure participants are current
• existing case studies to encourage a dynamic review of hand tool-related hazards and measures for controlling exposures.

All totaled, this revised training will help joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members, health and safety representatives, supervisors and workers gain essential knowledge and confidence to play an informed role when suggesting workplace interventions aimed at preventing the many injuries caused by hand tool hazards.

Your training partner

As Ontario’s only legally designated training centre specializing in occupational health and safety, WHSC continues to develop partnerships with workplaces in every sector and region of province, assisting them in pursuit of their health and safety training goals and compliance with occupational health and safety law.  
 
The revamped WHSC Hand Tools training is now available for booking. For additional information about this program or any questions about meeting occupational health and safety training requirements:
 
Visit:  Our online, onsite course catalogue
           (be sure to check out our “Request a Quote” function)
Call:  1.888.869.7950 and ask to speak to a training services representative
Email:  contactus@whsc.on.ca