Tool Bag and Equipment

DOE-HDBK-1092-98

1. All body belts and safety straps shall be inspected before each use by the employee who uses

them.

2. Workers shall use their body belts and safety straps when doing any work involving danger

of falling.

3. Body belts and safety straps should not be stored with unguarded sharp tools or devices.

4. Heat, sharp bends, and overstressing of body belts and safety straps should be avoided as they

are injurious to leather. Wet leather should be dried slowly at moderate temperatures.

See 29 CFR 1910.67, 1910.269(a), 1926.500, and 1926.502 for further information.

7.7.3 TOOL BAG AND EQUIPMENT

Tools, small equipment, and materials should be raised and lowered in a tool bag. The tool bag should

be inspected before use to see that it contains no broken glass or other material on which the employee

could cut his or her hand or rubber gloves. Tool bags should not have any metal in their construction.

7.7.4 TAPES AND RULERS

Workers should not use metal measuring tapes or tapes having metal strands woven into the fabric,

brass bound rules, or metal scales when working near electrical equipment or conductors [See NESC

Rules 420C(6) and 443A(6)].

7.7.5 SPOON AND SHOVELS

Tools of this type, especially those having long wooden handles, shall not be used when the handles

are cracked, split, or broken.

7.7.6 PIKE POLES

Pike poles shall comply with the following:

1. Cracked, broken, or slivered pike poles should not be used;

2. Pike poles should not be thrown; and

3. When not in use and loaded on the truck, the points should be protected so that they will not

injure anyone.

7.7.7 HAND AXES AND SHARP TOOLS

Hand axes and sharp tools shall comply with the following:

1. Hand axes should not be used on overhead work; and

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