Metalwork spans a surprising number of our industrial worksites here in Illinois and Indiana. For instance, sheet metal workers are tasked with taking thin sheets of metal and converting them into all sorts of products or system components through the use of blueprints, technical drawings, hand tools, power tools, and equipment. Sheet metal workers are often found in our construction, manufacturing, and steel industries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Illinois is one of the top five states employing sheet metal workers in the country. Here in Illinois and Indiana, sheet metal workers can be found on industrial worksites that include:
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Building Equipment Contractors
- Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
- Ship and Boat Building
- Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing.
Moreover, metalwork expertise will be more and more valuable and sought after in the coming years. Economic forecasters predict that the metal fabrication market will “…witness significant growth in the coming years, primarily driven by the growing demand for Automotive, Construction, Aerospace, Electrical and Electronics, ….” Read, Metal Fabrication Market Size In 2023: Share, Trends, Opportunities Analysis Forecast Report By 2030, published by 360 Research Reports on October 4, 2023.
Hand Tool and Power Tools in Metalwork
For sheet metal workers and all workers involved in working with metal on the job, the risks of being seriously injured in a work accident involving either a hand tool or a power tool is high. Metalwork and machining require tools to get the job done, of course. And with this necessity comes a constant risk for injury because most metalwork tools are inherently dangerous. Another distinct hazard involving metalwork power tools are their power sources (Battery; Electric Cord; Hydraulic; Gas: Pneumatic) which come with their own set of dangers.
The very nature of working with metalworking tools comes with risks that include the hazards of flying metal chips and blindness; fires or explosions from power sources (such as electricity or compressed air) causing burns; cuts or lacerations from blades with bleeding or internal injuries; and electric shock with resulting catastrophic injuries or death. For instance, a common hacksaw or razor knife can cause a serious cut that may be life-threatening. For more, read, Hand and Power Tools: the Danger of Serious Work Accident Injuries.
Common Metalworking Tools
To accomplish any type of metalwork, both hand tools and power tools will be needed on any industrial site as workers are involved in working with aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, cast iron, wrought iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, tin, lead, etc. and doing things like cutting, drilling, filing, hole making, finishing, or welding.
These are tools that have been designed, tested, engineered, manufactured, and sold as being devices specific for use in the cutting, twisting, shaping, or otherwise altering various kinds of metal. Metalwork tools are also made with first-rate materials with a fortitude that can bear repeated use with metalwork.
Most metalworking tools, especially hand tools, are designed and sold for use in a specific way. Whenever metalwork is undertaken, there will likely be all sorts of tools at the ready, in different sizes and each for their own distinct purpose.
All of these metalworking tools are not only to be precise in function but durable in their use over time. Workers should be able to rely upon the form and function of any metalworking tool available at their jobsite.
Among the most common industrial metalworking hand tools and power tools are:
- Angle Grinder: power tool used for things like cleaning, cutting, polishing, or grinding. These come in various sizes and have all sorts of disc attachments to use with the grinding disc that moves at a very fast rate (like 12,000 rpm). They can get very hot. Can be powered by battery; electric cord; or pneumatics (air compressor).
- Band Saw (Horizontal, Vertical): power tool used to cut straight lines in metal with a toothed blade that spins between two wheels. Brushes should be available to prevent clogs of metal chips and debris.
- Beverly Shear: These are throatless shears made of cast metal by Chicago’s own Beverly Shear Company (now owned by Mittler Brothers) using a guillotine blade to cut through metal either with turns or in a straight line.
- Chisels: There are bench chisels and cold chisels, all having sharp edges that help to cut and shape metal into various designs or to cut grooves, etc.
- File: Flat or round, all files provide abrasion for metalworkers to do things like remove burrs, or shape and smooth the metal surface.
- Hacksaw: Perhaps the most popular metalworking hand tool, a hacksaw is inexpensive and able to handle a number of different tasks, using a replaceable blade.
- Hammer: Claw hammers and other hammers are used by metalworkers not only to take out dents or drive nails into metal but to aid in the shaping of metal (bending).
- Reciprocating Saw: The popular reciprocating saw or Sawzall is an extremely powerful saw used in demolition involving metal surfaces, pipes, etc. It comes with an assortment of blades.
- Punch: Metal rods with pointy ends are called “punches” which are needed to create holes in metal, including small holes necessary for drilling. There are pin punches; center punches; etc.
- Screwdriver: Sets of flathead and Phillips screwdrivers will be on the metalworking site for use in dealing with metal bolts or screws.
- Snips: Akin to a pair of scissors, metal snips are used to cut sheet metal. They come in varieties designed to make straight cuts, or curved cuts, either left or right.
Also read: Infamously Dangerous Power Tools: Angle Grinders, Chainsaws, Table Saws, Lathes and Hand Tool Work Accidents: The Danger of Manual Tool Injuries on the Job.
Worker Safety and Metalworking Tool Accidents
Employers and others with possession, custody, and control of aspects of the workplace where any kind of metalwork is needed must adhere to legal duties of care and safety regarding all tools being used in metalworking or machining. There are recognized safety guidelines and standards to be followed here. See, Workplace Safety and OSHA Regulations in Indiana and Illinois.
No mystery is involved in protecting workers from a work accident involving a metalworking tool. If there is a metalwork injury on the job with a hand tool or a power tool, an investigation will likely reveal it to be an entirely preventable accident.
Basic Metalworking Tool Safety Practices: Duties to Keep Workers Safe
On our industrial worksites, several different parties may have legal duties of care that mandate keeping workers safe from injury in a work accident involving a metalworking tool. These responsibilities include:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): metalworking should never begin without things like gloves and safety glasses in place.
- Housekeeping: before any tool is used or any task begins, those in control of the site should have undertaken an inspection of all metalworking tools as well as the surrounding work area. No hand tool or power tool should be used by a worker until it has been confirmed to be safe for its intended use. The work area should be clean of debris and well-organized with proper vises or clamps at the ready to secure the metal workpiece.
- Variety of Proper Metalworking Tools: metalworking requires special types of tools, each for its own purpose and use. No worker should be asked to improvise because the right tool for the job has not been provided.
- Training: No worker should be allowed to begin work in such a dangerous environment as metalworking until they have been given safety training on the use of all metalworking tools, hand and power, as well as the use of power sources. Training should include the ability to identify dangers and how to best respond to that hazard to keep the workers and those in the surrounding area safe from harm.
- Availability of User’s Instructions for all Metalworking Tools: All workers should be able to read or review the manufacturer’s instructions for any hand tool, power tool, or power source on the site.
- Repair, Maintenance, and Storage of Metalworking Tools: Those in control of the worksite should inspect all metalworking tools before any use is allowed. There should be routine maintenance (such as sharpening) with repair or replacement as needed. Storage of the metalworking tools and their power sources should follow safety guidelines, including covering sharp edges and appropriately storing fuel.
For more, read “Major Safety Issues for the Metalworking and Machining Industry,” written by Lori Culpepper and published by Industrial Machinery Digest on November 1, 2022.
Justice After a Metalwork Tool Accident on the Job in Illinois or Indiana
Any employer or other party who has a duty to follow legal safety regulations or standards involving metalwork on the jobsite can be held liable for a failure to meet those requirements when their disregard or disrespect results in a worker being seriously injured or killed in a work accident involving a metalworking tool.
Both the worker victim and their loved ones may have a right to monetary damages including lost wages, medical care expenses, long-term rehabilitation needs, future therapy, and more. For more on legal claims for damages after a work accident, see: Who Can Claim Damages After a Work Accident in Indiana or Illinois? and What are Legal Damages After a Work-Related Accident in Indiana or Illinois?
Claims may be filed under the state’s worker’s compensation plan involving the employer that signs the worker’s paycheck. Other legal claims made be available against others with legal duties of safety and care on the site that involve civil personal injury claims. Some investigations may reveal that the manufacturer, designer, engineer, distributor, seller, or retailer of the metalwork tool has legal liability under state product liability law.
Read:
- When Tools Are to Blame for Serious Work Accidents: Who’s Responsible? Product Liability
- Who Can Be Held Liable for Construction Worker Accidents?
- Demolition Work: Risk of Severe Injury or Death on the Job
- Work Accident in Illinois or Indiana: Workers Compensation Claim vs. Personal Injury Damages
- Premises Liability and Workplace Accidents: Third Party Injury Claims.
All workers involved in metalwork, particularly our sheet metal workers, must be respected for the dangers they face each day on the job and the courage they display as they go about their work. When those with power and control of the worksite fail these workers and the result is a catastrophic or deadly work accident, justice demands they be held accountable for their callous wrongdoing. Please be careful out there!
