should be checked for real or potential damage
electrically powered hand tools are required to be
stored in the electrical tool issue room so that they may
before each use.
be checked by an electrician prior to issue. Never use
Ensure work is properly secured prior to op-
a portable electric tool that has not been electrically
erating portable equipment.
safety checked by shipboard electricians. Always
follow approved checkout procedures for electrical
PNEUMATIC POWER TOOLS
tools. A 120-volt shock can kill you.
Many portable tool housings are made of special
This section deals with pneumatic drills and
high-impact plastic that is resistant to damage. Plastic
pneumatic grinders since these are probably the most
reduces the electrical shock hazard, but it does not
widely used portable power tools. You will be
prevent shock hazards completely. To eliminate this
required to maintain the portable pneumatic tools that
shock hazard when using electrically powered tools,
you will be using.
you should wear approved electrical rubber gloves
(issued with the tool by the electrician). These rubber
Since pneumatic tools use compressed air, all
gloves should be protected with a pair of leather
low-pressure compressed air systems should have a
gloves over them. Other safety precautions are listed
filter, regulator, and lubricator assembly installed at
as follows:
the outlet. This assembly will ensure delivery of clean,
regulated, mist-lubricated compressed air for the
When using an electric tool, make sure it is
operation of pneumatic tools. The pressure must not
properly grounded. Use only three-wire
exceed 90 psi for any pneumatic tool. CAUTION:
grounded cords and plugs.
Never point the air hose at another person.
Before operating a pneumatic drill, inspect the air
When an extension cord must be used in addi-
hose and check for any leaks and damage. Blow air
tion to the cord on an electric tool, the exten-
through the air hose to free it of foreign material before
sion cord must not be energized when the tool
plug is inserted in or removed from the exten-
connecting it to the drill. Keep the air hoses clean and
sion cord. Extension cords also must have
three-wire cords and grounded plugs. Exten-
The heavy duty pneumatic drill, shown in view A
sion cords may only be 25 feet in length for
of figure 5-33, is reversible. Its speed can be closely
shipboard use.
controlled by the throttle valve located in the handle.
The variable speed feature of this drill makes it
All portable electrical tools and extension
particularly useful for heavy duty drilling in places
cords require a periodic safety check for shorts
or grounds. The tool housing, cord, and plug
that are hard to reach.
Figure 5-33.--Heavy duty pneumatic drill and stand.
5-19