The Safety Concern with The Notorious Sledge Hammer

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The Safety Concern with The Notorious Sledge
Hammer
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Overview

• What is a Sledge Hammer?
• Sledge Hammer Uses and Applications
• Sledge Hammer Safety
• Wooden Sledge Hammer Safety
• Who uses Sledge Hammers?
• Proper Sledge Hammer Form Use
• Sledge Hammer Selection
• Applicable OSHA 1926.301- Hand Tools
• Sledge Hammer Substitutes
• Case Studies

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What is a Sledge Hammer?

• Also known as a War Hammer or Maul
• Tool- consists of a large, flat head attached to
  a lever or handle.
• It can apply much more power, impulse than
  ordinary hammers due to its larger size.
• The distribution of force can be applied to a
  wide area.

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What is a Sledge Hammer?

• Handle usually 1 meter to 3 meters in length.
• Head mass 1 to 3 kilograms in weight.
• Often used to break through drywall and masonry
  walls.
• Used for driving heavy spikes, stakes, or chisels
  into stone, brick, or earth.

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Lightweight vs. Heavyweight Applications

• Lightweight sledgehammers used with a special
  kind of chisel to cut bricks or to clean out the
  mortar between bricks

• Larger, heavyweight sledgehammers are used
  primarily for demolition.

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Other Sledge Hammer Uses

• Chipping Concrete
• Setting Concrete Forms
• Setting Steel Beams
• Lining Up Anchor Bolts and Structural Steel
  Columns.
• Any Type of Demolition!!!!!

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Sledge Hammer Safety

• When using a Sledge Hammer
• Wear heavy-duty work gloves.
• Never use a hammer with a chipped head.
• Replace broken handles.
• Always wear safety glasses or goggles during use.
  

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Wooden Sledge Hammer Safety

• Wooden Sledge Hammers must be protected from
  extreme dampness and drying.
• Too much dampness can cause the wood to swell and
  eventually crack
• Too much dryness can cause shrinkage, and loosen
  the head.

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Wooden Sledge Hammer Safety

• If the head on a wooden handle becomes loose
• Try driving additional wedges into the top.
• If that doesn't work, or if the handle shrinks,
  cracks, or breaks, replace the handle.

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Who uses Sledge Hammers?

• Most Construction Trades
• Electrician
• Site Work
• Mechanical
• Masonry
• Demolition
• Shell Contractors
• Steel/Iron Workers

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Proper Sledge Hammer Form and Use

• The power of a sledge comes from getting the head
  in motion.
• Save your back and make it easy by bending your
  knees and bringing the weight close to your body
  to lift it.
• Straighten your knees a little at the top of the
  swing.
• Then let the hammer fall of its own weight.
• Check the hammer head often for looseness.

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Sledge Hammer Selection

• Choose a hammer with a forged head.
• Avoid heads of cast steel
• These break more easily and can send dangerous
  metal chips flying.
• Select a tool that feels right for your strength
  and swing.

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Applicable OSHA 1926.301- Hand Tools

• A. Employers shall not issue or permit the use of
  unsafe hand tools.
• D. The wooden handles of tools shall be kept free
  of splinters or cracks and shall be kept tight in
  the tool.

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Sledge Hammer Substitutes

• Fence Post Drivers
• Can be a safe substitute for Sledge Hammers when
  driving posts.

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Case Studies

• According to the Occupational Injuries among US
  Construction Workers Treated at the George
  Washington University Emergency Department
  1990-1997
• Out of 51 Injured Roofers and Water proofers
• 16 of injuries were Struck By/Against Object
• 1 injury was a struck by Sledge Hammer Injury
• 8 of injuries were Over exersion/Strenous
  Movement
• 1 injury was due to overexertion while using a
  Sledge Hammer

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Case Studies

• In Alaska, the Owner of Logging Company Crushed
  and Killed by Root wad of Windfall Tree During
  Bucking OperationAlaska
• Victim was in the process of cutting a 115 feet
  long, 26 diameter at the base, Hemlock tree with
  a chain saw.
• He was about 80 complete, when the chain saw
  went faulty.
• He used a wedge and sledge hammer to cut the
  remainder of the tree, when the tree broke lose,
  it rolled down slope engulfing and fatally
  crushing.

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Case Studies cont.

• NIOSH researchers concluded that, to prevent
  similar occurrences, employers should
• ensure that falters and buckers property evaluate
  felled trees and the area around the trees, so
  that potential hazards can be avoided during
  bucking
• ensure that all logging workers receive adequate
  training in safe work procedures
• designate a competent person to conduct
  inspections to ensure that workers follow
  established safe falling and bucking procedures.

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The End