HAND and

POWER TOOLS

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 3080
2002 (Revised)
Hand and Power Tools

U.S. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary

OSHA 3080
2002 (Revised)
 Contents iii

What Is the Purpose of This Booklet? .................................... 1

What Are the Hazards of Hand Tools? ................................... 3

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools? ................................. 4

Guards........................................................................... 5
Operating Controls and Switches ................................ 5
Electric Tools ................................................................ 6
Portable Abrasive Wheel Tools .................................... 7
Pneumatic Tools ........................................................... 8
Liquid Fuel Tools ......................................................... 9
Powder-Actuated Tools ................................................ 9
Hydraulic Power Tools ............................................... 11

What Help Can OSHA Provide?............................................ 13

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines 13
State Programs............................................................ 13
Consultation Services ................................................. 14
Voluntary Protection Programs .................................. 15
Strategic Partnership Program.................................... 15
Training and Education .............................................. 15
Electronic Information ............................................... 16
OSHA Publications .................................................... 17
Emergencies, Complaints, and Further Assistance.... 18

States and Territories with Approved Plans ......................... 19

OSHA Consultation Project Directory ................................... 22

OSHA Area Offices ............................................................... 24

OSHA Regional Offices ......................................................... 27

Contents
 What Is the Purpose of This Booklet? 1

This booklet is designed to present to employees and employers

a summary of the basic safety procedures and safeguards associated
with hand and portable power tools.
Material in this booklet is based on the standards of the Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administration; this booklet, however,
should not be considered as a substitute for the full safety and
health standards for general industry (published in Title 29 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910, Subpart P), or for the
construction industry (published in 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
These are also available on the World Wide Web at www.osha.gov.
Employers and employees in the 26 states and territories with
OSHA-approved state safety and health plans should check with
their state agency. Their state may be enforcing standards and other
procedures that, while “at least as effective as” federal standards,
are not always identical to the federal requirements. (See page 13
for more information on state plans.)
Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to
remember that they may pose hazards. Tragically, a serious inci-
dent can occur before steps are taken to identify and avoid or
eliminate tool-related hazards.
Employees who use hand and power tools and are exposed to the
hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or to
harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with
the appropriate personal protective equipment. All electrical
connections for these tools must be suitable for the type of tool and
the working conditions (wet, dusty, flammable vapors). When a
temporary power source is used for construction a ground-fault
circuit interrupter should be used.
Employees should be trained in the proper use of all tools.
Workers should be able to recognize the hazards associated with the
different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary.
Five basic safety rules can help prevent hazards associated with
the use of hand and power tools:
• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use
damaged tools.
• Operate tools according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

What Is the Purpose of This Booklet?

 2

• Provide and use properly the right personal protective

equipment.
Employees and employers should work together to establish safe
working procedures. If a hazardous situation is encountered, it
should be brought immediately to the attention of the proper
individual for hazard abatement.
The following sections identify various types of hand and power
tools and their potential hazards. They also identify ways to
prevent worker injury through proper use of the tools and through
the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Hand and Power Tools

 What Are the Hazards of Hand Tools? 3

Hand tools are tools that are powered manually. Hand tools
include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed
by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.
Some examples include the following:
• If a chisel is used as a screwdriver, the tip of the chisel may
break and fly off, hitting the user or other employees.
• If a wooden handle on a tool, such as a hammer or an axe, is
loose, splintered, or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off
and strike the user or other employees.
• If the jaws of a wrench are sprung, the wrench might slip.
• If impact tools such as chisels, wedges, or drift pins have
mushroomed heads, the heads might shatter on impact, sending
sharp fragments flying toward the user or other employees.
The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and
equipment used by employees. Employers shall not issue or permit
the use of unsafe hand tools. Employees should be trained in the
proper use and handling of tools and equipment.
Employees, when using saw blades, knives, or other tools, should
direct the tools away from aisle areas and away from other employ-
ees working in close proximity. Knives and scissors must be sharp;
dull tools can cause more hazards than sharp ones. Cracked saw
blades must be removed from service.
Wrenches must not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that
slippage occurs. Impact tools such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels
must be kept free of mushroomed heads. The wooden handles of
tools must not be splintered.
Iron or steel hand tools may produce sparks that can be an ignition
source around flammable substances. Where this hazard exists,
spark-resistant tools made of non-ferrous materials should be used
where flammable gases, highly volatile liquids, and other explosive
substances are stored or used.

What Are the Hazards of Hand Tools?

 4 What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

Appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety

goggles and gloves must be worn to protect against hazards that
may be encountered while using hand tools.
Workplace floors shall be kept as clean and dry as possible to
prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools.
Power tools must be fitted with guards and safety switches; they
are extremely hazardous when used improperly. The types of power
tools are determined by their power source: electric, pneumatic,
liquid fuel, hydraulic, and powder-actuated.
To prevent hazards associated with the use of power tools,
workers should observe the following general precautions:
• Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.
• Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the
receptacle.
• Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
• Disconnect tools when not using them, before servicing and
cleaning them, and when changing accessories such as blades,
bits, and cutters.
• Keep all people not involved with the work at a safe distance
from the work area.
• Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to
operate the tool.
• Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the switch
button while carrying a plugged-in tool.
• Maintain tools with care; keep them sharp and clean for best
performance.
• Follow instructions in the user’s manual for lubricating and
changing accessories.
• Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance when
operating power tools.
• Wear proper apparel for the task. Loose clothing, ties, or
jewelry can become caught in moving parts.
• Remove all damaged portable electric tools from use and tag
them: “Do Not Use.”

Hand and Power Tools

 5

Guards
The exposed moving parts of power tools need to be safe-
guarded. Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums,
flywheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or moving parts
of equipment must be guarded.
Machine guards, as appropriate, must be provided to protect the
operator and others from the following:
• Point of operation.
• In-running nip points.
• Rotating parts.
• Flying chips and sparks.
Safety guards must never be removed when a tool is being used.
Portable circular saws having a blade greater than 2 inches (5.08
centimeters) in diameter must be equipped at all times with guards.
An upper guard must cover the entire blade of the saw. A retract-
able lower guard must cover the teeth of the saw, except where it
makes contact with the work material. The lower guard must
automatically return to the covering position when the tool is
withdrawn from the work material.

Operating Controls and Switches

The following hand-held power tools must be equipped with a
constant-pressure switch or control that shuts off the power when
pressure is released: drills; tappers; fastener drivers; horizontal,
vertical, and angle grinders with wheels more than 2 inches
(5.08 centimeters) in diameter; disc sanders with discs greater than
2 inches (5.08 centimeters); belt sanders; reciprocating saws; saber
saws, scroll saws, and jigsaws with blade shanks greater than 1/4-inch
(0.63 centimeters) wide; and other similar tools. These tools also may
be equipped with a “lock-on” control, if it allows the worker to also
shut off the control in a single motion using the same finger or
fingers. The following hand-held power tools must be equipped with
either a positive “on-off” control switch, a constant pressure switch,
or a “lock-on” control: disc sanders with discs 2 inches (5.08 centi-
meters) or less in diameter; grinders with wheels 2 inches (5.08
centimeters) or less in diameter; platen sanders, routers, planers,

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

 6

laminate trimmers, nibblers, shears, and scroll saws; and jigsaws,

saber and scroll saws with blade shanks a nominal 1/4-inch (6.35
millimeters) or less in diameter. It is recommended that the con-
stant-pressure control switch be regarded as the preferred device.
Other hand-held power tools such as circular saws having a blade
diameter greater than 2 inches (5.08 centimeters), chain saws, and
percussion tools with no means of holding accessories securely
must be equipped with a constant-pressure switch.

Electric Tools
Employees using electric tools must be aware of several dangers.
Among the most serious hazards are electrical burns and shocks.
Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart failure
and burns, are among the major hazards associated with electric-
powered tools. Under certain conditions, even a small amount of
electric current can result in fibrillation of the heart and death. An
electric shock also can cause the user to fall off a ladder or other
elevated work surface and be injured due to the fall.
To protect the user from shock and burns, electric tools must
have a three-wire cord with a ground and be plugged into a
grounded receptacle, be double insulated, or be powered by a low-
voltage isolation transformer. Three-wire cords contain two current-
carrying conductors and a grounding conductor. Any time an
adapter is used to accommodate a two-hole receptacle, the adapter
wire must be attached to a known ground. The third prong must
never be removed from the plug.
Double-insulated tools are available that provide protection
against electrical shock without third-wire grounding. On double-
insulated tools, an internal layer of protective insulation completely
isolates the external housing of the tool.
The following general practices should be followed when using
electric tools:
• Operate electric tools within their design limitations.
• Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using
electric tools.
• Store electric tools in a dry place when not in use.

Hand and Power Tools

 7

• Do not use electric tools in damp or wet locations unless they

are approved for that purpose.
• Keep work areas well lighted when operating electric tools.
• Ensure that cords from electric tools do not present a tripping
hazard.
In the construction industry, employees who use electric tools
must be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters or an assured
equipment-grounding conductor program.

Portable Abrasive Wheel Tools

Portable abrasive grinding, cutting, polishing, and wire buffing
wheels create special safety problems because they may throw off
flying fragments. Abrasive wheel tools must be equipped with
guards that: (1) cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections;
(2) maintain proper alignment with the wheel; and (3) do not
exceed the strength of the fastenings.
Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, it must be inspected
closely for damage and should be sound- or ring-tested to ensure
that it is free from cracks or defects. To test, wheels should be
tapped gently with a light, non-metallic instrument. If the wheels
sound cracked or dead, they must not be used because they could
fly apart in operation. A stable and undamaged wheel, when
tapped, will give a clear metallic tone or “ring.”
To prevent an abrasive wheel from cracking, it must fit freely on
the spindle. The spindle nut must be tightened enough to hold the
wheel in place without distorting the flange. Always follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Take care to ensure that the
spindle speed of the machine will not exceed the maximum operat-
ing speed marked on the wheel.
An abrasive wheel may disintegrate or explode during start-up.
Allow the tool to come up to operating speed prior to grinding or
cutting. The employee should never stand in the plane of rotation
of the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed. Portable
grinding tools need to be equipped with safety guards to protect
workers not only from the moving wheel surface, but also from
flying fragments in case of wheel breakage.

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

 8

When using a powered grinder:

• Always use eye or face protection.
• Turn off the power when not in use.
• Never clamp a hand-held grinder in a vise.

Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air and include
chippers, drills, hammers, and sanders.
There are several dangers associated with the use of pneumatic
tools. First and foremost is the danger of getting hit by one of the
tool’s attachments or by some kind of fastener the worker is using
with the tool.
Pneumatic tools must be checked to see that the tools are fas-
tened securely to the air hose to prevent them from becoming
disconnected. A short wire or positive locking device attaching the
air hose to the tool must also be used and will serve as an added
safeguard.
If an air hose is more than 1/2-inch (12.7 millimeters) in diameter,
a safety excess flow valve must be installed at the source of the air
supply to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.
In general, the same precautions should be taken with an air hose
that are recommended for electric cords, because the hose is subject
to the same kind of damage or accidental striking, and because it
also presents tripping hazards.
When using pneumatic tools, a safety clip or retainer must be
installed to prevent attachments such as chisels on a chipping
hammer from being ejected during tool operation.
Pneumatic tools that shoot nails, rivets, staples, or similar fasten-
ers and operate at pressures more than 100 pounds per square inch
(6,890 kPa), must be equipped with a special device to keep fasten-
ers from being ejected, unless the muzzle is pressed against the
work surface.
Airless spray guns that atomize paints and fluids at pressures of
1,000 pounds or more per square inch (6,890 kPa) must be equipped
with automatic or visible manual safety devices that will prevent
pulling the trigger until the safety device is manually released.

Hand and Power Tools

 9

Eye protection is required, and head and face protection is

recommended for employees working with pneumatic tools.
Screens must also be set up to protect nearby workers from being
struck by flying fragments around chippers, riveting guns, staplers,
or air drills.
Compressed air guns should never be pointed toward anyone.
Workers should never “dead-end” them against themselves or
anyone else. A chip guard must be used when compressed air is
used for cleaning.
Use of heavy jackhammers can cause fatigue and strains. Heavy
rubber grips reduce these effects by providing a secure handhold.
Workers operating a jackhammer must wear safety glasses and
safety shoes that protect them against injury if the jackhammer slips
or falls. A face shield also should be used.
Noise is another hazard associated with pneumatic tools. Work-
ing with noisy tools such as jackhammers requires proper, effective
use of appropriate hearing protection.

Liquid Fuel Tools

Fuel-powered tools are usually operated with gasoline. The most
serious hazard associated with the use of fuel-powered tools comes
from fuel vapors that can burn or explode and also give off danger-
ous exhaust fumes. The worker must be careful to handle, trans-
port, and store gas or fuel only in approved flammable liquid
containers, according to proper procedures for flammable liquids.
Before refilling a fuel-powered tool tank, the user must shut
down the engine and allow it to cool to prevent accidental ignition
of hazardous vapors. When a fuel-powered tool is used inside a
closed area, effective ventilation and/or proper respirators such as
atmosphere-supplying respirators must be utilized to avoid breath-
ing carbon monoxide. Fire extinguishers must also be available in
the area.

Powder-Actuated Tools
Powder-actuated tools operate like a loaded gun and must be
treated with extreme caution. In fact, they are so dangerous that
they must be operated only by specially trained employees.

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

10

When using powder-actuated tools, an employee must wear

suitable ear, eye, and face protection. The user must select a
powder level—high or low velocity—that is appropriate for the
powder-actuated tool and necessary to do the work without exces-
sive force.
The muzzle end of the tool must have a protective shield or
guard centered perpendicular to and concentric with the barrel to
confine any fragments or particles that are projected when the tool
is fired. A tool containing a high-velocity load must be designed
not to fire unless it has this kind of safety device.
To prevent the tool from firing accidentally, two separate motions
are required for firing. The first motion is to bring the tool into the
firing position, and the second motion is to pull the trigger. The
tool must not be able to operate until it is pressed against the work
surface with a force of at least 5 pounds (2.2 kg) greater than the
total weight of the tool.
If a powder-actuated tool misfires, the user must hold the tool in
the operating position for at least 30 seconds before trying to fire it
again. If it still will not fire, the user must hold the tool in the
operating position for another 30 seconds and then carefully remove
the load in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This
procedure will make the faulty cartridge less likely to explode. The
bad cartridge should then be put in water immediately after re-
moval. If the tool develops a defect during use, it should be tagged
and must be taken out of service immediately until it is properly
repaired.
Safety precautions that must be followed when using powder-
actuated tools include the following:
• Do not use a tool in an explosive or flammable atmosphere.
• Inspect the tool before using it to determine that it is clean,
that all moving parts operate freely, and that the barrel is free
from obstructions and has the proper shield, guard, and
attachments recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not load the tool unless it is to be used immediately.
• Do not leave a loaded tool unattended, especially where it
would be available to unauthorized persons.
• Keep hands clear of the barrel end.
• Never point the tool at anyone.

Hand and Power Tools

 11

When using powder-actuated tools to apply fasteners, several

additional procedures must be followed:
• Do not fire fasteners into material that would allow the fasten-
ers to pass through to the other side.
• Do not drive fasteners into very hard or brittle material that
might chip or splatter or make the fasteners ricochet.
• Always use an alignment guide when shooting fasteners into
existing holes.
• When using a high-velocity tool, do not drive fasteners more
than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) from an unsupported edge or
corner of material such as brick or concrete.
• When using a high velocity tool, do not place fasteners in
steel any closer than 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) from an
unsupported corner edge unless a special guard, fixture, or jig
is used.

Hydraulic Power Tools

The fluid used in hydraulic power tools must be an approved fire-
resistant fluid and must retain its operating characteristics at the
most extreme temperatures to which it will be exposed. The
exception to fire-resistant fluid involves all hydraulic fluids used for
the insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts, and hydraulic
tools that are used on or around energized lines. This hydraulic
fluid shall be of the insulating type.
The manufacturer’s recommended safe operating pressure for
hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings must not be exceeded.
All jacks—including lever and ratchet jacks, screw jacks, and
hydraulic jacks—must have a stop indicator, and the stop limit must
not be exceeded. Also, the manufacturer’s load limit must be
permanently marked in a prominent place on the jack, and the load
limit must not be exceeded.
A jack should never be used to support a lifted load. Once the
load has been lifted, it must immediately be blocked up. Put a block
under the base of the jack when the foundation is not firm, and place
a block between the jack cap and load if the cap might slip.

What Are the Dangers of Power Tools?

12

To set up a jack, make certain of the following:

• The base of the jack rests on a firm, level surface;
• The jack is correctly centered;
• The jack head bears against a level surface; and
• The lift force is applied evenly.
Proper maintenance of jacks is essential for safety. All jacks
must be lubricated regularly. In addition, each jack must be in-
spected according to the following schedule: (1) for jacks used
continuously or intermittently at one site—inspected at least once
every 6 months, (2) for jacks sent out of the shop for special work—
inspected when sent out and inspected when returned, and (3) for
jacks subjected to abnormal loads or shock—inspected before use
and immediately thereafter.

Hand and Power Tools

 What Help Can OSHA Provide? 13

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans,
workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic
partnerships, training and education, and more.

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulate
innovation and creativity and result in increased performance and
higher productivity.
To assist employers and employees in developing effective safety
and health management systems, OSHA published recommended
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (Federal
Register 54(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary
guidelines can be applied to all places of employment covered by
OSHA.
The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical to
the development of a successful safety and health management
system. These are the following:
• Management leadership and employee involvement,
• Worksite analysis,
• Hazard prevention and control, and
• Safety and health training.
The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of these
general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health manage-
ment system. The Federal Register notice is available online at
www.osha.gov.

State Programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and
health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. There are
currently 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and
local government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey,
and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territories
with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plans

What Help Can OSHA Provide?

14

must adopt and enforce standards identical to, or at least as effective

as, the federal standards and provide extensive programs of volun-
tary compliance and technical assistance, including consultation
services.

Consultation Services
Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who
want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful
workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no
cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers
with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is deliv-
ered by state governments employing professional safety and health
consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes a hazard survey of
the worksite and appraisal of all aspects of the employer’s existing
safety and health management system. In addition, the service
offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an
effective safety and health management system. No penalties are
proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant.
The employer’s only obligation is to correct all identified serious
hazards within the agreed upon correction timeframe. OSHA
provides consultation assistance to the employer with the assurance
that his or her name and firm and any information about the work-
place will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staff.
Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers
may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achieve-
ment Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in
SHARP includes, but is not limited to, receiving a full-service,
comprehensive consultation visit, correcting all identified hazards,
and developing an effective safety and health program management
system.
Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption from
programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation
inspections) for a period of 1 year initially, or 2 years upon renewal.
For more information concerning consultation assistance, see the
list of consultation projects listed at the end of this publication.

Hand and Power Tools

 15

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and onsite consultation services,
when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand
worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three
levels of VPP—Star, Merit, and Demonstration—are designed to
recognize outstanding achievements by companies that have devel-
oped and implemented effective safety and health management
systems. The VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety and
health results in the same outstanding way as they establish a
cooperative relationship between employers, employees, and OSHA.
For additional information on VPPs and how to apply, contact the
OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of
OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist, and recog-
nize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards
and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Whereas
OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one relation-
ships between OSHA and individual worksites, most strategic
partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building cooperative
relationships with groups of employers and employees. These
partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA,
employers, employee representatives, and others such as trade
unions, trade and professional associations, universities, and other
government agencies.
For more information on this program, contact your nearest
OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

Training and Education

OSHA’s area offices offer a variety of information services, such
as compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual
aids, and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training
Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides basic and advanced courses in
safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state
consultants, federal agency personnel, and private sector employers,
employees, and their representatives.

What Help Can OSHA Provide?

16

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training

Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its
courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies. These
centers are nonprofit colleges, universities, and other organizations
that have been selected after a competition for participation in the
program.
OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood Training Grant
Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safety and health
training and education to employers and workers in the workplace.
The grants focus on programs that will educate workers and employ-
ers in small business (fewer than 250 employees), training workers
and employers about new OSHA standards or about high-risk activi-
ties or hazards. Grants are awarded for 1 year and may be renewed
for an additional 12-month period depending on whether the grantee
has performed satisfactorily.
OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant to develop a
training and/or education program that addresses a safety and health
topic named by OSHA, recruit workers and employers for the train-
ing, and conduct the training. Grantees are also expected to follow
up with people who have been trained to find out what changes were
made to reduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result of the
training.
Each year OSHA has a national competition that is announced in
the Federal Register and on the Internet at www.osha-slc.gov/Train-
ing/sharwood/sharwood.html. For more information on grants,
training, and education, contact the OSHA Training Institute, Office
of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018;
call (847) 297-4810, or see Outreach on OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov.

Electronic Information
OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website
at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools, Expert Advisors, Electronic
Compliance Assistance Tools (e-CATs), Technical Links, regulations,
directives, publications, videos, and other information for employers
and employees. OSHA’s software programs and compliance assis-
tance tools “walk” you through challenging safety and health issues
and common problems to find the best solutions for your workplace.

Hand and Power Tools

18

Emergencies, Complaints, and Further Assistance

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA advice,
assistance, or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your
nearest OSHA regional, area, state plan, or consultation office listed
at the end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number is
(877) 889-5627.
You can also file a complaint online and obtain more information
on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov.

Hand and Power Tools

 States and Territories with Approved Plans 19

Commissioner Commissioner
Alaska Department of Labor Indiana Department of Labor
1111 West 8th Street State Office Building
Room 304 402 West Washington Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1149 Room W195
(907) 465-2700 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2751
(317) 232-2378
Director
Industrial Comm. of Arizona Commissioner
800 W. Washington Iowa Division of Labor Services
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2922 1000 E. Grand Avenue
(602) 542-5795 Des Moines, IA 50319-0209
(515) 281-3447
Director
California Department of Secretary
Industrial Relations Kentucky Labor Cabinet
455 Golden Gate Avenue 1049 U.S. Highway, 127 South
10th Floor Suite 4
San Francisco, CA 94102 Frankfort, KY 40601
(415) 703-5050 (502) 564-3070

Commissioner Commissioner
Connecticut Departmentof Labor Maryland Division of Labor
200 Folly Brook Boulevard and Industry
Wethersfield, CT 06109 Department of Labor, Licensing,
(203) 566-5123 and Regulation
1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 613
Director Baltimore, MD 21201-2206
Hawaii Department of Labor (410) 767-2215
and Industrial Relations
830 Punchbowl Street Director
Honolulu, HI 96813 Michigan Department of
(808) 586-8844 Consumer and Industry Services
P.O. Box 30004
4th Floor, Law Building
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-7230

States with Approved Plans

20

Commissioner Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Labor North Carolina Department
and Industry of Labor
443 Lafayette Road 4 West Edenton Street
St. Paul, MN 55155-4307 Raleigh, NC 27601-1092
(651) 296-2342 (919) 807-2900

Administrator Administrator
Nevada Division of Industrial Department of Consumer
Relations and Business Services
400 West King Street Occupational Safety and Health
Carson City, NV 89710 Division (OR-OSHA)
(775) 687-3032 350 Winter Street, NE
Room 430
Commissioner Salem, OR 97310-0220
New Jersey Department (503) 378-3272
of Labor
John Fitch Plaza Secretary
Market and Warren Streets Puerto Rico Department of Labor
P.O. Box 110 and Human Resources
Trenten, NJ 08625-0110 Prudencio Rivera Martinez
(609) 292-2975 Building
505 Munoz Rivera Avenue
Secretary Hato Rey, PR 00918
New Mexico Environment (787) 754-2119
Department
1190 St. Francis Drive Director
P.O. Box 26110 South Carolina Department of
Santa Fe, NM 87502 Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
(505) 827-2850 Koger Office Park,
Kingstree Building
Commissioner 110 Centerview Drive
New York Department of Labor P.O. Box 11329
W. Averell Harriman State Columbia, SC 29210
Office Building - 12 (803) 896-4300
Room 500
Albany, NY 12240
(518) 457-2741

Hand and Power Tools

 21

Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Labor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0659
(615) 741-2582

Commissioner
Labor Commission of Utah
160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 146650
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6650
(801) 530-6898

Commissioner
Vermont Department of Labor
and Industry
National Life Building
Drawer 20
National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05260-3401
(802) 828-5098

States with Approved Plans

 22 OSHA Consultation Project Directory

State Telephone

Alabama ..................................................................................(205) 348-3033

Alaska .....................................................................................(907) 269-4957
Arizona ...................................................................................(602) 542-1695
Arkansas ................................................................................. (501) 682-4522
California ................................................................................(916) 574-2555
Colorado ................................................................................. (970) 491-6151
Connecticut .............................................................................(860) 566-4550
Delaware ................................................................................. (302) 761-8219
District of Columbia ............................................................... (202) 541-3727
Florida .....................................................................................(813) 974-9962
Georgia ...................................................................................(404) 894-2643
Guam ............................................................................... 9-1-(671) 475-0136
Hawaii .....................................................................................(808) 586-9100
Idaho ....................................................................................... (208) 426-3283
Illinois .....................................................................................(312) 814-2337
Indiana ....................................................................................(317) 232-2688
Iowa ........................................................................................(515) 281-7629
Kansas .....................................................................................(785) 296-7476
Kentucky ................................................................................. (502) 564-6895
Louisiana ................................................................................(225) 342-9601
Maine ......................................................................................(207) 624-6460
Maryland ................................................................................. (410) 880-4970
Massachusetts .........................................................................(617) 727-3982
Michigan ................................................................................. (517) 322-6823
Minnesota ...............................................................................(651) 297-2393
Mississippi ..............................................................................(601) 987-3981
Missouri ..................................................................................(573) 751-3403
Montana ..................................................................................(406) 444-6418
Nebraska ................................................................................. (402) 471-4717
Nevada ....................................................................................(702) 486-9140
New Hampshire ......................................................................(603) 271-2024
New Jersey ..............................................................................(609) 292-3923
New Mexico ........................................................................... (505) 827-4230
New York ................................................................................(518) 457-2238
North Carolina ........................................................................(919) 807-2905
North Dakota ..........................................................................(701) 328-5188
Ohio ........................................................................................(614) 644-2246
Oklahoma ...............................................................................(405) 528-1500
Oregon ....................................................................................(503) 378-3272
Pennsylvania ........................................................................... (724) 357-2396

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 23

Puerto Rico .............................................................................(787) 754-2171

Rhode Island ........................................................................... (401) 222-2438
South Carolina ........................................................................(803) 734-9614
South Dakota ..........................................................................(605) 688-4101
Tennessee ................................................................................(615) 741-7036
Texas ....................................................................................... (512) 804-4640
Utah ........................................................................................ (801) 530-6901
Vermont .................................................................................. (802) 828-2765
Virginia ...................................................................................(804) 786-6359
Virgin Islands ..........................................................................(809) 772-1315
Washington .............................................................................(360) 902-5638
West Virginia ..........................................................................(304) 558-7890
Wisconsin ...............................................................................(608) 266-8579
Wyoming ................................................................................(307) 777-7786

OSHA Consultation Project Directory

 24 OSHA Area Offices

Area Telephone

Birmingham, AL ................................................................... (205) 731-1534

Mobile, AL ........................................................................... (334) 441-6131
Anchorage, AK ..................................................................... (907) 271-5152
Phoenix, AZ .......................................................................... (602) 640-2348
Little Rock, AR ........................................................... (501) 324-6291(5818)
San Diego, CA ...................................................................... (619) 557-5909
Sacramento, CA .................................................................... (916) 566-7471
Denver, CO ........................................................................... (303) 844-5285
Englewood, CO .................................................................... (303) 843-4500
Bridgeport, CT ...................................................................... (203) 579-5581
Hartford, CT ......................................................................... (860) 240-3152
Wilmington, DE .................................................................... (302) 573-6518
Fort Lauderdale, FL .............................................................. (954) 424-0242
Jacksonville, FL .................................................................... (904) 232-2895
Tampa, FL ............................................................................. (813) 626-1177
Savannah, GA ....................................................................... (912) 652-4393
Smyrna, GA .......................................................................... (770) 984-8700
Tucker, GA ........................................................ (770) 493-6644/6742/8419
Boise, ID ............................................................................... (208) 321-2960
Calumet City, IL ................................................................... (708) 891-3800
Des Plaines, IL ...................................................................... (847) 803-4800
Fairview Heights, IL ............................................................. (618) 632-8612
North Aurora, IL ................................................................... (630) 896-8700
Peoria, IL .............................................................................. (309) 671-7033
Indianapolis, IN .................................................................... (317) 226-7290
Des Moines, IA ..................................................................... (515) 284-4794
Wichita, KS .......................................................................... (316) 269-6644
Frankfort, KY ....................................................................... (502) 227-7024
Baton Rouge, LA ....................................................... (225) 389-0474 (0431)
Bangor, ME .......................................................................... (207) 941-8177
Portland, ME ......................................................................... (207) 780-3178
August, ME ........................................................................... (207) 622-8417
Linthicum, MD ............................................................ (410) 865-2055/2056
Braintree, MA ....................................................................... (617) 565-6924
Methuen, MA ....................................................................... (617) 565-8110
Springfield, MA .................................................................... (413) 785-0123
Lansing, MI .......................................................................... (517) 327-0904
Minneapolis, MN ................................................................. (612) 664- 5460
Jackson, MS .......................................................................... (601) 965-4606
Kansas City, MO .................................................................. (816) 483-9531

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 25

Area Telephone

St. Louis, MO ....................................................................... (314) 425-4289

Billings, MT ......................................................................... (406) 247-7494
Raleigh, NC .......................................................................... (919) 856-4770
Omaha, NE ........................................................................... (402) 221-3182
Carson City, NV ................................................................... (775) 885-6963
Concord, NH ......................................................................... (603) 225-1629
Avenel, NJ ............................................................................ (732) 750-3270
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ ......................................................... (201) 288-1700
Marlton, NJ ........................................................................... (609) 757-5181
Parsippany, NJ ...................................................................... (973) 263-1003
Albuquerque, NM ................................................................. (505) 248-5302
Albany, NY ........................................................................... (518) 464-4338
Bayside, NY ......................................................................... (718) 279-9060
Bowmansville, NY ............................................................... (716) 684-3891
North Syracuse, NY .............................................................. (315) 451-0808
Tarrytown, NY ...................................................................... (914) 524-7510
Westbury, NY ....................................................................... (516) 334-3344
Bismark, ND ......................................................................... (701) 250-4521
Cincinnati, OH ...................................................................... (513) 841-4132
Cleveland, OH ...................................................................... (216) 522-3818
Columbus, OH ...................................................................... (614) 469-5582
Toledo, OH ........................................................................... (419) 259-7542
Oklahoma City, OK .................................................... (405) 231-5351(5389)
Portland, OR ......................................................................... (503) 326-2251
Allentown, PA ....................................................................... (610) 776-0592
Erie, PA ................................................................................. (814) 833-5758
Harrisburg, PA ...................................................................... (717) 782-3902
Philadelphia, PA ................................................................... (215) 597-4955
Pittsburgh, PA ....................................................................... (412) 395-4903
Wilkes-Barre, PA .................................................................. (570) 826-6538
Guaynabo, PR ....................................................................... (787) 277-1560
Providence, RI ...................................................................... (401) 528-4669
Columbia, SC ....................................................................... (803) 765-5904
Nashville, TN........................................................................ (615) 781-5423
Austin, TX ................................................................. (512) 916-5783 (5788)
Corpus Christi, TX ............................................................... (512) 888-3420
Dallas, TX .................................................................. (214) 320-2400 (2558)
El Paso, TX ........................................................................... (915) 534-6251
Fort Worth, TX .................................................. (817) 428-2470 (485-7647)
Houston, TX .............................................................. (281) 591-2438 (2787)

OSHA Area Offices

 26

Area Telephone
Houston, TX ..................................................... (281) 286-0583/0584 (5922)
Lubbock, TX .............................................................. (806) 472-7681 (7685)
Salt Lake City, UT ................................................................ (801) 530-6901
Norfolk, VA .......................................................................... (757) 441-3820
Bellevue, WA ........................................................................ (206) 553-7520
Charleston, WV .................................................................... (304) 347-5937
Appleton, WI ........................................................................ (920) 734-4521
Eau Claire, WI ...................................................................... (715) 832-9019
Madison, WI ......................................................................... (608) 264-5388
Milwaukee, WI ..................................................................... (414) 297-3315

Hand and Power Tools

 OSHA Regional Offices 27

Region I Region VI
(CT,* MA, ME, NH, RI, VT*) (AR, LA, MN,* OK, TX)
JFK Federal Building 525 Griffin Street
Room E-340 Room 602
Boston, MA 02203 Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone: (617) 565-9860 Telephone: (214) 767-4731

Region II Region VII

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*) (IA,* KS, MO, NE)
201 Varick Street City Center Square
Room 670 1100 Main Street, Suite 800
New York, NY 10014 Kansas City, MO 64105
Telephone: (212) 337-2378 Telephone: (816) 426-5861

Region III Region VIII

(DC, DE, MD,* PA, VA,* WV) (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)
The Curtis Center - Suite 740 West 1999 Broadway
170 S. Independence Mall West Suite 1690
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309 Denver, CO 80802-5716
Telephone: (215) 861-4900 Telephone: (303) 844-1600

Region IV Region IX
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* (American Samoa, AZ,* CA,*
SC,* TN*) Guam, HI,* NV,*
Atlanta Federal Center Commonwealth of the
61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50 Northern Mariana Islands)
Atlanta, GA 30303 71 Stevenson Street
Telephone: (404) 562-2300 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Region V Telephone: (415) 975-4310
(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street Region X
Room 3244 (AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
Chicago, IL 60604 1111 Third Avenue
Telephone: (312) 353-2220 Suite 715
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
Telephone: (206) 553-5930

*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety
and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York plans cover public
employees only). States with approved programs must have a standard that is
identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standard.
 HAND and

POWER TOOLS

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 3080
2002 (Revised)