Work equipment - risk assessment and safe system of work - power tools

If staff use power tools, even for short and simple tasks, they should be aware of any risks and how to use the equipment safely. Use our document to bring them up to speed.

What to do

To ensure the safety of both the user and anyone who may be affected by their actions, use our Work Equipment - Risk Assessment and Safe System of Work - Power Tools document to formalise how the tool should be used.

The document includes nine key instructions for safe use. These spell out the steps that should be taken when using all power tools. It starts by instructing the operator to complete a visual inspection of the equipment. Next, the document mirrors the HSE’s position on power tools. It states “the tool should be physically capable of doing the job and designed and constructed so that mechanical and electrical stresses do not cause the equipment to become unsafe.” The instructions also cover guarding, wire and cable management, portable appliance testing and more.