Prepare and operate handheld power tools and attachments
Overview
This standard describes how to prepare and operate handheld power tools and attachments. This standard covers: • selecting and preparing handheld power tools and their attachments for operation • safely operating handheld power tools and attachments • shutting down and storing handheld power tools following use. This standard is suitable for fence installers who use handheld power tools and attachments as part of their job. If you are using machinery you should be trained, and hold current certification where required, in line with relevant legislation. The standard does not provide a licence to practise.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental
and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements
and company policies and procedures
- select and prepare personal protective equipment (PPE) in line
with the relevant health and safety requirements, suitable for the
tools being used and the tasks to be carried out
- identify and select suitable handheld power tools and attachments
to complete the task
prepare handheld power tools and attachments
carry out pre-start checks and adjustments in accordance with
relevant legislation and manufacturers instructions
- operate handheld power tools and attachments safely to achieve
work requirements, in accordance with the relevant legislation and
manufacturers instructions
- modify work activities to take account of changes in working
conditions
- monitor the performance of the handheld power tools and
attachments and take the relevant action, within the limits of your
responsibility, where there are problems or defects
- complete post-stop checks in accordance with manufacturers
instructions
- clean and store tools and attachments safely and securely, in
accordance with company policies and manufacturers
recommendations
- carry out your work in a manner that causes minimal impact to the
surrounding area, other users of the site and anyone else who
may be affected
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the relevant environmental and health and safety requirements
associated with the preparation and operation of handheld power
tools and attachments
- the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for the task
- the relevant legal requirements for the use of power tools and
attachments
- the purpose and limitations of handheld power tools and
attachments, and how to select the most suitable for the task to
be carried out
- the pre-start checks associated with handheld power tools and
attachments, and the relevant legal requirements for checking
work equipment
- the purpose and value of manufacturers instructions and
technical information
- power tool operating procedures including those relating to
starting and stopping
- the hazards associated with the use of different types of handheld
power tools and attachments
- why it is necessary to modify work activities to take account of
changes in working conditions e.g. weather
- the common problems and performance defects affecting
handheld power tools and attachments
- how to rectify or report defects, and why it is essential to work
within the limits of your responsibility
- the storage requirements for handheld power tools and
attachments
- how to minimise the impact of your work on the surrounding area,
other users of the site and anyone else who may be affected