Impact-Tool Inspection and Mushroomed Heads
A Mushroomed Chisel Head Can Become Flying Metal
Every hammer blow changes the condition of an impact tool. When the struck end of a chisel, wedge or drift pin spreads into a mushroom shape, its thin rolled edges can crack or break away as high-speed metal fragments. Familiarity with the tool does not make that damage acceptable. Inspect the complete tool before use, remove it from service as soon as deformation, cracking or looseness is found, and use only a serviceable tool suited to the task. A few seconds of inspection can prevent an eye, face or hand injury.
Controls to confirm
- Inspect chisels, wedges, drift pins and striking tools before use. Check struck heads for mushrooming, chips or cracks; check working ends, shafts and handles for deformation, looseness, splinters or other damage.
- Remove any unsafe tool from service immediately and tag or segregate it so another person cannot pick it up. Have it dressed, repaired or replaced only through the approved tool-maintenance process; replace it when its condition or suitability is uncertain.
- Use the correct type and size of tool and striking hammer, secure the work, keep hands and nearby people out of the line of fire, and wear the eye and face protection required by the task and site risk assessment.
Today’s action
Inspect every chisel, wedge, drift pin and hammer in your immediate work area today. Tag and segregate any tool with a mushroomed head, crack, loose handle or other unsafe condition before work starts.
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