Portable Tool Safety
General Tool
Inspection Before Each Shift
Inspection Before Each Shift
OSHA 1926.300(a) · Damaged Tools Must Be Removed From Service · No DIY Repairs
OSHA requires that tools be maintained in a safe condition. But on a busy NYC construction site, tools get dropped, run over, left in rain, overloaded, and abused daily. A 30-second inspection before each shift is the single most effective habit a worker can build — it catches the damaged cord, the cracked housing, and the stuck guard before they cause an injury.
The Pre-Shift Tool Inspection — What to Check
- Power cord: Full length inspection for cuts, abrasion, kinking, and melted areas. Check the connection points at both ends — cords most commonly fail at the plug and at the tool's strain relief
- Plug: All prongs present and straight. No cracks in the housing. Ground prong intact (on 3-prong tools)
- Housing: No cracks, breaks, or missing sections. Cracks in a double-insulated housing eliminate its protection
- Guards: All guards in place and functional — test movable guards by hand to confirm they move freely and return to position
- Blades, wheels, bits: Correct type for the material, intact (no cracks, chips, or missing teeth), properly installed and tightened
- Switches: On/off switch operates positively and locks OFF when released on non-trigger tools
What to Do When a Tool Fails Inspection
- Remove the tool from service immediately — do not leave it accessible to the next shift
- Label it: red electrical tape or a red "DEFECTIVE — DO NOT USE" tag tied to the cord
- Report it to your foreman — do not attempt to repair electrical tools in the field
- Never remove, bypass, or defeat a safety device to keep a tool in service
Responsibilities on This Site
- Each worker is responsible for the condition of the tools they use — "someone else broke it" is not an excuse for using a damaged tool
- GC tool staging areas must have a designated out-of-service area for damaged tools
- OSHA can cite workers for using damaged tools — not just employers
Discussion Questions
- Name five items you check during a pre-shift tool inspection and what you look for in each.
- You pick up a drill from the tool room and notice the cord has electrical tape over a section near the plug. What do you do?
- A guard on your saw appears stuck in the open position. Is it acceptable to use the saw anyway if you're careful?
- Who on this site is responsible for inspecting tools before use — the tool room attendant or the worker using it?
Sign-Off
Project Address
Date
Time
Foreman / Supervisor
SSM / SSC Name & License No.
Worker Attendance
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