Safety Clothing to Wear When Operating Power Tools

By Jim on 18th July

As we have already discussed in previous posts, safety is essential when working with power tools. This incorporates all items of clothing that operators wear, from footwear right through to jewellery. It’s not something that can be ignored and everybody who works in an environment with power tools should have a thorough understanding of what needs to be done. Here are some of our pointers: Read More

Using an Air Compressor with Power Tools

By Jim on 13th June

Using an air compressor can be a good alternative to using electric power tools. It provides various options that might be more appealing to the operator. We are going to discuss the advantages of using compressed air for power tool operation whilst weighing up the pros and cons to give a balanced picture.

Here are some of the plus points:

  • Air compressors are a very popular choice for safety. There is no danger of electric shocks as there might be with an electric alternative.
  • Compressed air can mean more power than you would get with conventional electric tools.
  • Compressors can be made use of at home or in the workplace.

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Basic Safety When Using Power Tools

By Jim on 18th May

Power tools are very useful pieces of equipment, but they can also be very dangerous if not used correctly. It’s essential that anybody operating power tools is fully trained, competent and knows exactly what they are doing. If anything is neglected in the health and safety process, people are putting themselves in a very risky situation and serious accidents can happen.

Anyone operating a power tool should receive the right training before doing so. This is the responsibility of both the operator and the person in charge. They should be given any relevant manuals to familiarise themselves with the processes involved, and should be shown in detail what to do. Somebody should be present to supervise at all times and ensure that the people operating tools on any premises are doing so in the safe and correct manner.

The tools themselves should always be set up correctly before use. If anything needs to be wired in, this should be carried out by a qualified electrician. They should also make sure that everything is earthed properly. Equipment should be serviced on a regular basis to check that it’s in good working order, and if anyone notices any defects they should stop using the equipment and report it immediately.

Staff should be provided with any safety equipment required to operate the machinery they’re using. This could include high visibility clothing, safety boots, safety goggles, knee protection, ear protection and anything else needed for specific industries. Everyone should adhere to basic safety rules, such as not wearing loose clothing or jewellery and tying back long hair.

Using a Hedge Trimmer for Gardening

By Jim on 20th April

Hedge trimmers are essential pieces of equipment for people needing to tidy and landscape their gardens. Choosing an electric version will save you lots of time during the process and whilst they might be more expensive than manual hedge trimmers, it’s a good investment to make. Here are some things to think about when using a hedge trimmer:

  • Consider the size of your hedges. How much work will they need? This will dictate the kind of hedge trimmer which you use. Some are more industrial and others will be better for use on smaller of younger hedges.
  • Do you need a cordless hedge trimmer? This might be more useful if you have hedges in hard-to-reach places. However, they might also be more expensive.
  • Think about whether you will be able to handle a hedge trimmer yourself. If not, you may prefer to hire a gardener, landscaper or tree surgeon to help you out. Remember that hedge trimmers are power tools and might be heavy.
  • Put some thought into storage. If you don’t have a garage or shed, can a neighbour look after a hedge trimmer for you? Alternatively, could you borrow one from a neighbour?
  • How much power do you need and how big should the blades be? This will largely depend on the thickness and size of the bushes you need to trim back.

Essential Everyday Power Tools

By Jim on 14th March

Power tools are a necessity on building sites when carrying out construction work. However, certain tools can also be useful to have around the house. They can come in handy on a number of occasions and you never know when you might need them next. Have a read of our guide and you’ll begin to wonder why you don’t already own these tools!

  • Cordless drills. These are a staple of any toolbox, and shouldn’t cost you too much money even if you choose one from a good brand. An 18v model should be able to complete most tasks for you.
  • Oscillating multi-tools. These will help you to complete a variety of useful tasks, such as grout removal, wood cutting and scraping, grinding and sanding. They’re also very affordable and can be used with different attachments depending on the job you want to do.
  • Stud sensors. Some of these won’t be very useful at all, but if you get a good one, it will prove endlessly useful. It will tell you whether you’re about to hit live voltage and where the edges of the object are.
  • Jigsaws. For making straight cuts, chopping up planks etc. there is nothing quite as useful as a jigsaw.