Hand and portable powered tools - California

California’s state requirements regarding hand and portable powered tools include a substantial amount of regulatory information beyond the federal requirements. Click on the following links to view the state and federal regulations:

Hand and portable powered tools

Citations

California: Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.242 Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general.

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Compressed air or other compressed gases in excess of 10 pounds per square inch gauge must not be used to blow dirt, chips, or dust from clothing while it is being worn.
• Compressed air or gases must not be used to empty containers of liquids where the pressure can exceed the safe working pressure of the container.
• Compressed gases must not be used to elevate or otherwise transfer any hazardous substance from one container to another unless the containers are designed to withstand, with a safety factor of at least four, the maximum possible pressure that may be applied.
• Hand-held pneumatically powered tools used for driving nails, staples, and similar fasteners and that operate at 100 psig or more line pressure must have a safety device at the muzzle to prevent the tool from discharging until the muzzle is in contact with a solid surface.
• Airless spray guns of the type which atomize paints and fluids at high pressures (1,000 pounds or more per square inch) must be equipped with automatic or visible manual safety devices that prevent pulling of the trigger to prevent release of the paint or fluid until the safety device is manually released. Alternatively, a diffuser nut and nozzle tip guard, or other equivalent protection, must be provided.
• Portable winches must be secured against accidental shifting while in use, and must be fitted with limit switches if employees have access to areas from which it is possible to be drawn into the winch.
• Powder-actuated tools used in industrial operations must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in compliance with Article 27 of California’s Construction Safety Orders.

Power lawn mowers also have a substantial amount of regulatory requirements beyond federal requirements, which includes:

• Adhering to ANSI standards for safety and equipment care.
• Equipping mower with roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts, effective March 1, 2011, when visual inspection or technical information from the manufacturer indicates that a riding lawn mower is designed by the manufacturer to be equipped with ROPS, or to accept ROPS as an option.
• Prohibiting use of ride on, sit-down lawn mowers on difference terrain and slopes conditions.
• Training on powered lawn mower operation.

In addition, for tree work maintenance or removal, there are specific requirements for power saws and the use of work-positioning lanyard or double-crotched rope when operating a chain saw in a tree. There are also requirements for the handling of chopping tools under 3426. Hand Tools.