Risk Assessment: Portable Power Tools¶
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Reference | RA02 |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Issue Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Next Review | 1 June 2027 |
| Prepared By | Sean Ashton |
| Approved By | Aaron Mason, Director |
Risk Assessment Table¶
| Activity/Process | Hazard | Who/What Affected | Existing Controls | Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) | New Controls Required | Post-Control Risk (S/L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Electric shock or electrocution | Site personnel - Serious or fatal injury from faulty electrical equipment | • CE marked tools only • Battery tools preferred • 110v tools on site • RCDs used where possible • Regular maintenance • Damaged tools removed • Pre-use visual inspection • Regular PAT testing |
5/2/10 (High) | • Tool safety briefing for new operatives • Reinforce pre-use checks via toolbox talks • Random equipment spot checks Supervisor, monthly |
5/1/5 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Dangerous parts of machinery (entanglement, cutting, trapping) | Site personnel - Injuries from contact with moving parts | • Guards in place where possible • Users trained on correct operation • Close-fitting work clothing • Tools used per manufacturer's instructions • Supervision of inexperienced workers |
4/3/12 (High) | • Review guarding during equipment audit • Include guarding section in safety briefing Next audit cycle |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Ejection of particles | Site personnel - Eye injuries from flying particles | • Eye protection EN166 1B 349 standard • Trained operators for abrasive wheels • Correct wheels/accessories supplied • Guards kept in place • Work positioned to direct particles away • Exclusion zones where necessary |
4/3/12 (High) | • Reinforce eye protection importance • Consider higher spec eye protection for high-risk activities Through toolbox talks |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Dust exposure | Site personnel & public - Respiratory issues from dust inhalation | • Alternative cutting methods where possible • Damping down techniques • RPE to FFP3 standard (face fit tested) • Eye protection EN166 1B 349 • Water suppression with disc cutters • Dust extraction where practical • Consider wind direction outdoors |
4/3/12 (High) | • Review dust control effectiveness • Consider improved dust extraction systems • Ensure regular RPE filter replacement Ongoing review |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Noise | Site personnel, visitors & public - Hearing damage | • Noise assessments for high-risk activities • Hearing protection EN 352-1/352-2 • Low-noise equipment selected • Work scheduled to minimize impact • Council permits for out-of-hours work • Equipment maintained to reduce noise • Warning signs in noisy areas |
3/3/9 (Moderate) | • Review hearing protection effectiveness • Consider noise reduction enclosures • Review scheduling of noisy operations Ongoing |
3/2/6 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Vibration | Site personnel - Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or carpal tunnel syndrome | • Alternative tools/methods used • Tools well maintained • Job rotation implemented • Trigger times monitored • Regular breaks taken • Suitable work gloves • Health surveillance programme • HAVS awareness training |
4/3/12 (High) | • Review glove effectiveness for vibration • Consider lower-vibration tools • Improve trigger time recording system Procurement review |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
| Use of Portable Power Tools | Fire hazards from sparks or heat | Site personnel, visitors & public - Burns or respiratory issues | • Fire extinguishers readily available • Hot work permits where required • Flammable materials removed/protected • Fire watch where necessary • Work area clear of combustibles • Cooling periods after intensive use |
4/2/8 (Moderate) | • Review hot work permit system • Ensure sufficient fire extinguishers on all sites Site audit |
4/1/4 (Low) |
Key:¶
- S = Severity (1-5 scale)
- L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
- R = Risk Rating (S × L)
- Risk Levels:
- Low (1-4)
- Moderate (5-8)
- High (9-15)
- Very High (16-25)