Toolbox talk · Tools
Hand tool safety
Hammers, chisels, wrenches, and knives are in our hands all day, so it's easy to stop thinking about them. Most hand tool injuries come from a damaged tool or the wrong tool for the job. Let's take a few minutes to check our tools and our habits before we start.
Published 2026-10-23
Key points
- 1Inspect your tools before you use them. Look for cracked or loose handles, mushroomed chisel heads, and worn or sprung wrench jaws.
- 2If a tool is damaged, tag it and take it out of service. Don't tape it up and keep going.
- 3Use the right tool for the job. A screwdriver is not a pry bar, and a wrench is not a hammer.
- 4Keep cutting tools sharp and cut away from your body. Retract or cover utility knife blades when you put them down.
- 5Wear safety glasses when striking, chiseling, or cutting. Chips and metal fragments fly fast.
- 6Pull on a wrench instead of pushing, and set your feet so you won't fall if it slips.
- 7Never leave tools on ladders, scaffolds, or edges. Carry them in a pouch or bucket, and don't throw them to anyone.
Talk it over
- Which tools on this job are worn out or damaged and need to be replaced?
- When have you seen someone use the wrong tool because the right one wasn't close by?
- Where on this site could a dropped tool hit someone below?
Remember
Check it, use the right one, and pull bad tools out of service.
Also in the other language: Seguridad con herramientas de mano
Official sources
- 29 CFR 1926.300 — Hand and power tools — general requirements
Print it with a sign-in sheet
Pro prints every talk on your letterhead with an attendance sheet, records who attended, and emails your foremen this week's talk every Monday.
See plans and pricingGeneral information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.