Archive for February, 2010

Industrial Tools – Work-Related Injuries and the Price of Safety

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The most common accident hot spots in the industrial workplace often involve electric shock, fires and burns, radiation, overheating and pressure changes, bad slips and falls, excessive noise or vibration, lifting accidents, equipment malfunction, and mishandling of industrial tools.

Before the existence of state laws concerning industrial safety standards and regulations, many workers were allowed to perform risky work operations without any safety gear. Nowadays, it is required for workers to equip themselves with protective gear which includes safety goggles, face masks, helmets or hard hats, earplugs, protective boots and gloves, heat, chemical or radiation suit and body harnesses, depending on which job assignment you are in.

Unsafe working conditions in the work area can leave an accident victim partially or permanently disabled, or even dead. Accidents can also have a devastating effect on the morale and efficiency of the employees in the company. In the US alone, 70% of workers will figure in a work-related injury. Each year, more than 3 million workers lose time at work because of minor injuries while serious accidents and work-related illnesses claim 6,000 lives.

In the area of material handling, where workers are subjected to strenuous physical work and need to assume unnatural postures to lift and move heavy loads, the injuries are usually ergonomic in nature. Poor working postures can result in muscle pain, sprains and dislocations, back pain and chronic fatigue. As these incidents account for 25% of job-related injuries, redesigning the job and work area so workers can do their jobs with minimal stress is a necessity.

Safety and protection is a common concern for individuals who work with industrial tools and machines. Some of the most risky jobs anywhere are industry-related such as metal working, construction and logging. To guarantee the health and safety of industry workers, the company and the state share the common responsibility of ensuring that all industrial-grade tools and machines are well-maintained and working properly.

Knowing where to get reliable safety equipment is always a question. One popular place is SafetyGlassesUSA where you can find all kinds of goggles and safety glasses for your line of work. You can access their website for more information.

More safety equipment can be found at ToolKing and Northern Tool + Equipment. Both carry safety equipments like eyewear, first aid kits, hard hats, back support belt, respirators, masks, vests, emergency lights, fire extinguishers and a wide selection of safety harnesses.

Industrial Tools – How to Identify and Avoid Industrial Accidents

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

There are about 1.6 million industrial mishaps that occur in the US which result to disability and, in some cases, death. These types of accidents are unique in a way since it directly impacts the job of the wage earner and the employer is usually held liable for such accidents.

The most commonly recorded accidents in the workplace include slips, lifting accidents, getting hit by objects, high falls, explosions and fires, and accidents resulting from mishandling and malfunction of industrial tools and machines.

As a means to avoid liability suits and to provide an injured employee a temporary means of income until they can come back to work, state laws require employers to provide their employees compensation insurance. This type of workers’ insurance provides monetary compensation to injured workers if they waive their right to sue their employer for damages.

Although workers have waived their right to sue the company, they can still sue a third party for personal injuries if that party is responsible for the accident. A third party can include a contractor, a subcontractor, a tool or machine manufacturer or any other party besides the employer.

To prevent industrial accidents, certain measures should be taken by employers to ensure safety in the workplace. They need to conduct a risk assessment to pinpoint the possible hazards and hot spots that can cause an accident in the work area.

Most of the common accident hot spots in the workplace are exposed or faulty electrical wirings, slippery walking surfaces, poorly maintained equipment, areas with temperature extremes, toxic and explosive materials, fire hazards, highly-elevated working areas, and lack of medical and safety equipment.

Many of the accidents in the workplace can be minimised or totally eliminated by identifying the possible dangers and eliminating or, in the very least, decreasing its risk of occurring.

  • Keep walking surfaces free from clutter and moisture
  • Constant maintenance of industrial tools and machines
  • Keep explosive and toxic materials in secure locations
  • Provide workers with protective safety gears
  • Equip workers in high places with safety gears and harnesses
  • Ensure workers performing heavy manual labor are in top health condition
  • Provide adequate training for workers doing high-risk work
  • Provide medical facilities and first aid training to workers

However, all the precautions in the world will not prevent a single act of carelessness by another person in causing an industrial accident. If this is the case in your company, then seek professional advice from an industrial accident attorney to help you avoid being a victim.

Industrial Tools – The Various Applications of Air Tools

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Air tools are tools that are driven by compressed air. Being strong, powerful and versatile, these industrial tools are now mass-produced for the general public for every job in and around their homes.

There are air tools for every purpose such as pneumatic hammers, pneumatic drills, pneumatic ratchets, pneumatic wrenches, pneumatic screwdrivers, air paint sprayer, air nail guns, air saws, air sanders, tire inflators and much more. When compressed air is released, the expanded force pushes a piston and rotates a shaft or force paint or air out through a nozzle.

Air tools, sometimes known as pneumatic tools, are often more preferred than electrical power tools. As an example, they provide more torque and power than ordinary power tools. They are also proven to last longer than the electric versions. And they are really easy to operate. Just connect your tool’s hose to the compressor and you’re ready to go.

Air tools are dependent on a separate air compressor to power them up. Be sure that your compressor’s PSI or pounds per square inch rating matches that of your tools. Purchase only air tool hoses that matches with your compressor. A seamless connection between your hose and compressor is important to avoid air leaks and pressure loss.

Compressed air can provide another power source for many industrial tools such as mining drills, automotive impact wrenches and construction hammers and drills. Besides being lighter and more powerful than gas or electric-powered tools, pneumatic tools are a safer alternative in places where it is too risky to use an electrical tool. For instance, an electrical spark can start an explosion in an underground mine that has gas leaks.

When thinking of buying a compressor, take note of its motor’s horsepower and tank capacity. Models with more powerful motors and higher-capacity tanks can crank out higher levels of pressure.

In piston-type compressors, a pump is utilised to fill a tank which holds the compressed air until the time it’s ready for use. When the air pressure sinks below its operating level, the compressor automatically kicks in to normalize the pressure. Two-stage air compressors are ideal for heavy-duty work as they can produce more pressure.

Compact compressors, on the other hand, do not have a tank to hold compressed air. Its compressor keeps on running as it provides continuous air pressure. These versions are small and lightweight and can’t provide sufficient pressure for bigger jobs. They are normally used as propellants for lubricants, glue or air brush paint.

Industrial Tools – The Many Indispensable Uses of Industrial Air Compressors

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Industrial air compressors are indispensable industrial tools that compresses gas at a high pressure, exceeding that of our atmosphere, by using mechanical means. You often use an industrial air compressor in your garage to inflate your tyres or at the workplace to operate a hand-held sandblaster.

They shouldn’t be misidentified, however, with the compressors inside air conditioning units, refrigerators and industrial cooling equipment. Unlike air compressors, industrial gas compressors, such as those used in refrigerators, compress a refrigerant gas like freon through mechanical means. Similarly, both air and gas compressors produce heat, generates a cooling effect and utilise identical compression methods such as reciprocating pistons.

Both compressor types can use either electricity or gas as a power source. They differ in the kind of materials they compress and how they utilise the expanded force of air or cooling agent. While industrial air compressors compacts air by high pressure and uses the expanded force as a powerful propellant, gas compressors like those in an air conditioner compress a refrigerant to create cooling.

The industrial air compressor is perfect for scenarios where electricity is not available or is too risky to use, such as inside a mine shaft where an electrical spark can trigger an explosion. Gas and electric-powered compressors, coupled with the proper air tool, can greatly decrease the amount of time needed to complete a project. In comparison, air tools are usually faster, lighter and has more power than electrical or gas-propelled industrial tools.

Compressed air is used for pneumatic transport of grounded or powdered substances, to power up robotic machines and spray paint rigs in car assembly plants. It is also used to power automatic packaging devices for sealing, detecting the work, and put in motion the mechanical arms that fold the paper to package the job.

Compressed air are also used in cooling industrial operations where large quantities of heat are produced. As an example, air compressors are used to cool down hot plastic that is moulded, squeezed out, blown or injected, as well as the machines responsible for the manufacture of plastic products. They also decrease the heat temperature caused by friction of printer rollers and cool down the printed material after it rolls out of ink-drying ovens.

The dependency on air compressors has extended to all classes of industry. They are hugely credited for providing a livable environment in those places where air is not immediately available, such as airplanes, underwater diving bells and submarines.

Industrial Tools – Let Industrial Ladders Bring You to Greater Heights

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

The industrial ladder and its versatile uses have found their way in standard homes, in stores and in many other non-industrial places. However, it’s not just a matter of buying a ladder; it’s choosing the one that’s appropriate for your purpose and location.

An industrial-grade ladder is one of those industrial tools that should be given a lot of consideration before being purchased. What will the main bulk of its work be? Where is it going to be used and stored? If you intend to keep one in your home, a step ladder will be the most appropriate choice as it does not take up a lot of space like its bigger cousins. If the job involves stocking high shelves in a warehouse or a large store, then work can be done fast and safely by using a tall step ladder or a rolling industrial ladder.

The step ladder is the most common of all household industrial ladders. They are available in different sizes and are foldable for easy storage in a garage or in a warehouse storage when not in use. Inside the house, the step ladder is handy for reaching high shelves in the kitchen or cleaning nooks and crannies that are too high to reach.

Step ladders are safer than tiptoeing on chairs to attain that extra height, and many are tough enough to support around 150 kilogrammes. You can choose between wood or steel construction, according to your taste. Wood is alright indoors but steel is more preferable outdoors since sun and rain won’t affect the steel construction a great deal.

A tall step ladder can give you an extra boost in height as you load stocks in a large store or warehouse. However, when safety is an issue, you need not worry about a bad fall since a high rolling ladder will provide you the best security. These industrial tools come with strong hand rails and safety features that prevent them from tipping over or collapsing. Rolling ladders are equipped with heavy-duty casters so you don’t need to carry them when you move to another spot; just roll them to the location you need to be without breaking a sweat.

To guarantee your safety, you have to use a ladder that is of the right size and model to fit the job you require out of it. A high-quality industrial ladder is nearly maintenance-free and, with adequate care, will last for a long time to bring you to greater heights whenever you need it.

Industrial Tools – How Your Safety Depends on the Right Chainsaw

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

One of the most indispensable tools for farmers and loggers is the industrial chainsaw. It is used as the major workhorse in the logging and forestry industries for clearing dense forests and cutting down trees. The typical chainsaw is made up mainly of an electric motor or a two-stroke gas engine, a long sturdy metal frame of hard alloy and the cutting chain.

The work of a woodcutter requires high endurance, physical toughness and great conditioning. The same can also be said about the industrial chainsaw. In the most demanding work conditions, not all industrial tools are created equal. The best tools are those that are reliable and provide safety as well.

Industrial chainsaws offer both dependability and safety for the professional logger, farmer or anybody that makes a living in scenarios that calls for extensive wood cutting and clearing. Apart from coming in a wide selection of sizes, these chainsaws are also equipped with the latest innovation in safety

Various models for every purpose are available – from easier jobs that can be handled with smaller, low-powered models to extensive tree cutting and clearing that require larger, more powerful models. Using the right tool to fit the job makes work easier and more productive. However, the right tool also refer to the right size. Many workers make the costly mistake of using chainsaws not tailored for their build or physical condition.

Every industrial tools dealer have chainsaw models designed for every purpose and individual. Due to this, it is now possible to find the ideal chainsaw to fit your job and your physical stature. Gas-powered saws are perfect for orchard owners, tree growers, landscapers, farmers and anyone who works with trees but aren’t exactly seasoned lumberjacks.

The power and freedom offered by gas-powered chainsaws are hidden dangers some people take for granted. Gas-operated saws are heftier than electric saws, require exceptional mechanical and maintenance skills, and carry a high price tag. Gas-powered chainsaws are equipped with extremely powerful motors and have loner metal bars for heavy-duty jobs. With increased power, they expose the user to more risk and should be operated with great caution.

Because of the power of these tools, fatal accidents can happen if handled improperly. Proper handling of a chainsaw is one of the basic rules of wood cutting safety. Besides buying the chainsaw that’s right for your build, don’t forget to read the instructional guidebook that comes with your tool.

Industrial Tools – New Innovations in Industrial Pressure Cleaners and Washers

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Every so often, industrial tools manufacturers introduce the latest technologies and mechanical innovations to pressure washers. Due to this, you will find a wide selection of models in different categories on the market nowadays. These include industrial and commercial models, as well as cold water, hot water and steam models.

The adoption of new technologies have made modern pressure cleaners a lot more easier to use than older versions. Some of the innovations are tri-mode capability, low flow technology and extremely high steam temperatures. The newest and most popular innovation, however, is the auto shutdown feature.

A favourite of professional commercial cleaners as well as industrial pressure washers, the automatic shutdown technology cuts down wear and tear on major components to extend the machine’s life. To fully understand this feature, you have to understand how a pressure cleaner works.

A pressure cleaner pumps water at varying degrees of temperature (cold, hot, or steam) at high pressure to clean the surfaces of walls and buildings, vehicles, concrete and asphalt roads, brickwork and marble to wash away dust, grease, stains and accumulated dirt. The pressure cleaner is also used effectively in cleaning and clearing obstructions from drainage and sewer systems.

High pressure levels are achieved through a pump which drives strong jets of water out through a nozzle directly to the surface. Gasoline, propane or an electric motor is used to power the pump. A pressure hose connected to the machine is activated by a trigger much like a gun which releases high-pressure water onto a surface.

In conventional washers, water output is stopped by using the nozzle trigger. However, even if water flow is stopped, the washer’s pump and motor continue to run. To reduce wear and power consumption, the user has to go back to the machine to turn it off.

This is impractical when cleaning wide areas and large buildings using long hoses. During temporary breaks, either the user has to go back to the equipment to shut it off, which is burdensome, or leave the equipment on. This last option can harm the device which can increase wear and tear and result in unnecessary waste of power.

This is where the auto shutdown feature comes in. When the nozzle trigger is turned off and no activity is detected for about 30 seconds, the auto shutdown feature kicks in and the machine shuts down automatically. Once the trigger is activated, the washer starts up again.

Many industrial tools manufacturers have designed their pressure washers to maximise efficiency and reduce power wastage in the workplace. To learn more about industrial pressure cleaners, you can visit the websites of reliable suppliers.

Industrial Tools – Are You Ready to Switch to Power Screwdrivers?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

In this modern age of power tools, the common everyday screwdriver looks like it’s ready for the museum or the has-been department. If they can help it, ordinary folks would rather not use it to fasten screws to wooden boards or worse, auto or other mechanical components. After about ten screws later, your hand, elbow and shoulder feels like it was badly beaten up from burying those screws in place. This situation can be worse if you happen to be suffering from arthritis.

Although it may seem sort of nostalgic, the days of using a simple flat head or Phillips screwdriver are nearly at an end. Being sold abundantly in the market today are industrial-grade screwdrivers that are designed for heavy-duty jobs. These industrial tools are made of drop-forged steel or alloy that makes them durable and tough. Some automotive screwdrivers are so strong that they can be hit with a hammer to pry off a stuck or rusty car component.

Industrial-grade screwdrivers come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes to adapt to the particular job at hand. The general group includes the standard flat head, Phillips head, TORX tip, cabinet tip, combinations and others. There are also slotted screwdrivers, offset screwdrivers, limiting screwdrivers and single-handle screwdrivers with interchangeable tips of varying length and width.

One of the favourites in the industry today is the power screwdriver which is driven by a powerful motor. These screwdrivers are usually run by electricity but the popular cordless models run on long-lasting rechargeable battery packs. The cordless version is more favoured than the cordless ones obviously because cordless means portability and you can do your work just about anywhere without being hampered or tripped by electrical cords. Imagine if you have to work on the roof with those lengthy extension power cords trailing behind you.

Power screwdrivers can be used by women, even the elderly, because these tools don’t require heavy hand pressure to operate. Just a light pressure on the switch and you’re ready to drive in that screw. The secret of its convenience and ease lies in the battery which supplies the power to the motor. You can work all day without any delay if you have two batteries; one on your power tool while the other is being recharged.

A good craftsman invests in high-quality industrial tools. They may cost a bit more but having dependable tools to speed up the job makes your workday more productive and your clients happier.

Industrial Tools – Will Power Tools Soon Replace Hand Tools?

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

For every craftsman who starts a new job or project, his main concern is the dependability of the tools he uses for his trade. While he requires the right industrial tools for his job, he should also be able to have confidence and faith on the industrial hand tools that he uses in his work. Safety for himself and other people is his primary concern. Using substandard quality tools can give rise to either minor or serious accidents which can cause job delay, or worse, restricting or finishing his career.

This makes the choice of tools of paramount importance. The craftsman should feel safe and stress-free when using his tools. This is why so much is spent, in terms of time and money, on concept and research to create the better tool. When a person buys industrial hand tools, he expects quality, dependability and safety to come with it.

Due to this demand, industrial tool manufacturers offer products that have passed strict specifications and industry standards to provide excellent quality in every tool that rolls off the factory line. These high-quality tools will enable the craftsman to perform his job quickly, efficiently and safely. With the quality they pass on to their clients, their customers develop trust and become repeat buyers.

However, the industrial hand tools find it hard to compete against the ever-changing backdrop in the various arenas of industry like carpentry, construction, farming, mining and others. Soon, industrial power tools begin dominating the industrial tools market with a single goal, to increase work speed and diminish the time it takes to create a product or perform a service. They are available in a wide selection of sizes, power and speed, providing the user the freedom to choose the necessary parameters to get a particular job done.

Modern power tools have evolved for the better to make users work with more comfort and ease. Apart from the enhanced power and ergonomic improvements, these tools also carry a variety of safety features to benefit the user. Industrial power tools now combine the increased power needed to quickly finish a job and safety enhancements to further protect the user.

What’s more, special emphasis has been added to increase the life and strength of the power tool. These tools are also available in electrical versions that require power cords or in cordless versions with rechargeable battery packs which provide freedom of mobility to the user.