Technicians should always make safety a top priority when working on any refrigeration system. Always take the time to work safely. Many careless injuries are the result of rushing to complete a task and not taking the necessary time to do it right. One safety hazard often overlooked by technicians is the mishandling or abusing of common hand tools. These basic tools can lead to some serious injuries.
Take the extra time to keep your hand tools clean and in good operational condition. Avoid using a tool that is damaged or in need of repair. For example, a screwdriver with a worn tip will not seat well on the screw and is more likely to slip off the screw. A worn wrench is more likely to slip off a nut. Worn cutting pliers take more force to cut and can lead to a hand injury.