§1926.300 General requirements.

(a) Condition of tools. All hand and power tools and similar equipment, whether furnished by the employer or the employee, shall be maintained in a safe condition.

(b)(1) Guarding. When power operated tools are designed to accommodate guards, they shall be equipped with such guards when in use.

Regulation Information  Hazard Recognition
            Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to 
            remember that they may pose hazards. All tools are manufactured with 
            safety in mind but, tragically, a serious accident often occurs 
            before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate 
            tool–related hazards.

            In the process of removing or avoiding the hazards, workers must 
            learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types 
            of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those 
            hazards.

            A 1980 Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), report 
            showed that of 1,007 workers who had eye injuries, seven percent or 
            69 workers blamed their injuries on work tools in bad condition or 
            not working properly. Another seven percent reported that there were 
            no barrier guards to protect against swinging, flying, or falling 
            objects.

            One percent reported that there were barrier guards but they were 
            not being used at the time of the accident. Work tools in bad 
            condition or not working properly accounted for 79 head injuries 
            during the BLS survey period.

            Of 728 persons who had face injuries at their work location 96 
            workers reported that their work tools, which were in bad condition 
            or not working properly, contributed to their accident.