2021 L2 Engineering Power tools

SAFE USE OF  MAINS POWERED TOOLS AND EXTENSION CORDS 

Describe/ Explain what is a mains powered power tool

Using a mains powered tool allows you to work immediately, instead of waiting for a battery to charge for a battery pack tool. However, when using a battery pack tool, you are able to use it more freely around the workshop without having to be near a plug or have to lug a cord around the workshop.

You are most likely to use a mains powered tool in a workshop near an outlet if you don't have a long extension cord. This is because mains powered tools can only work when plugged into an outlet.

Give 3 examples of a mains power tool you may have already used. 

An angle grinder

A lathe

A drill press

Describe/explain the task you used it for.

When using an angle grinder, I had to use safety eye protection. I used the angle grinder to grind off the excess weld I had when I was welding my bar. If you have cut your wire, make sure you don't keep using the tool and turn it off at the wall as the wire is live and could shock you or someone who touches it. If there is a fault in the tool, make sure to tell your supervisor and get it replaced if you have a warranty for that tool.

General safety around electricity. 

What to look for….

What do I do if something is wrong . ( Fault Reporting )

 General hazards and dangers of a mains powered power  tool

What is meant by “RCD” An RCD is a cord that is used to help cut the flow of electricity when the power shorts out or if someone gets electrocuted while using a tool that is plugged into the RCD cord.

What is meant by “Double Insulation” Is A cord that has double the amount of rubber protecting the wire. This is important because it helps protect the wire from getting cut or when it is rolled up, it will help protect the wire from overheating as much as a single insulated wire.

Safety checks and safe working practices when using a mains powered tool

Hazards and dangers of extension cords w When using an extension cord, it could get all in the way of other people when being lugged around the workshop and people could trip on it, and it could overheat if it is rounded up into a loop causing a fire.

Safe Use of extension cords When using an extension cord, make sure you line the cord on the ground in lines preventing it from being rolled up and overheating.

General PPE when using mains powered tools 

Safety with electricity.

Mains power can be the most dangerous hazard in the workshop as it is deadly and you can't see it, you can only feel it. Battery power can be dangerous as well as it can overheat, expand then blow up. But this is not very likely to happen as batters are quite reliable.

Safty with power tools.

When it comes to power tools, there are a lot of things that could go wrong. For example, if you are not careful when using a drill with high torque, the drill can catch on something when your drilling and break your wrist. Or if you plug in a power tool to mains power while the switch on the tool is on, it could wip around all over the place and hurt you or someone near it. When using a power tool that connects to mains power, make sure that there is no exposed wire sticking out of the insulation as it will shock or kill you if the power is live.