Hammering Nails, Cold Chisels, and Cable Staples

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mc5w

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I need to spread the word that the way we were taught to hold nails, cold chisels, cable staples, etc. when hammering them is inherently unsafe.

I have already retrained myself to hold cable staples and nails with long nose pliers when hammering them. Saves a lot on bruised fingers.

However, this past Saturday I forgot to use water pump pliers to hold a cold chisel while my customer was pounding on it with a 12 pound maul. The application was to put a modest hole in the basement floor so that we could drive a 10 foot ground rod slantwise under the floor. At 1 point my customer slammed my left index finger. It took until today for it to heal enough to be able to type.

So, STOP holding these things with your hands and use pliers instead! A possible exception could be when using a light rubber hammer on a wood chisel.

Actually, this idea could also be applied when helping a woman pin her dress or for holding upholstery fabric when sticking in tacks using a magnetized tack hammer.


Mike Cole, mc5w at earthlink dot net
 
mc5w said:
The application was to put a modest hole in the basement floor so that we could drive a 10 foot ground rod slantwise under the floor.
Click to expand...

Slantwise?

You apparently have not read 250.53(G) or did you just simply predict you would hit a rock bottom?
 
mc5w said:
I need to spread the word that the way we were taught to hold nails, cold chisels, cable staples, etc. when hammering them is inherently unsafe....
Click to expand...

"Taught"? :)

The problem is more likely to be that most people aren't taught, period. And that's not just being taught about the holding end of the deal -- most people couldn't hammer their way out of a box without leaving elephant tracks all over the plywood. Hammering is a skill, you gotta know what you're doing and work at it to be good.

You generally get into safety issues like yours when judgement takes a holiday, not because holding chisels and staples with your hand is "inherently unsafe". Holding a cold chisel for someone with unknown maul-handling skills is simply a bad idea. Especially when you could've bored a hole right through the floor with a hammer drill and a big masonry bit. :)

Good luck with that index finger. Ouch!
 
mc5w said:
I need to spread the word that the way we were taught to hold nails, cold chisels, cable staples, etc. when hammering them is inherently unsafe.
Click to expand...
When I nod my head, you hit it...



3stooges.jpg



I don't know who the "WE" is, but I wasn't "taught" that.
 
Your brain and intellect are the best safety equipment you possess. If it runs against your instincts it's probably a bad plan. Holding a staple,nail or chisel while wailing on it with a big hammer is as common as a 20 minute coffee break (when you're allowed 10 min.). Think, then act.

Bob on the left coast.
 
Mc5w,

Hope you feel better.
I had a hollow wall setting tool threaded into a lead anchor. I had already installed about a dozen of them with my three pound Sledge hammer, when I wound up down near Georgia and bam smashed my hand and index finger. My finger swelled up quite nicely. Needless to say I sucked it up.
A few days later my finger has still soar and a little swollen. I was outside needed to get it but the hardware for the metal door was not installed yet. With both arms full, I brilliantly, decided to put my injured index finger into the hole for the hardware of the door. Of course the wind blew and my finger bent sideways, making a cracking popping sensation. I managed not to drop anything though. LOL.

Note to self?Think first?


Celtic,

"Oh a wise guy ah Yuck yuck whoop whoop whoop yah yah yah"
LOL.

Justin J. Walecka
 
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