General safety for plumbers 
Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.
Work Area Safety
1. Keep your work area clean and well lit.
Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3. Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
4. Do not let visitors contact the tool or extension cord. Such preventative measures reduce the risk of injury.
Electrical Safety
1. Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet, properly installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.
2. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical shock if your body is grounded.
3. Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electrical shock.
4. Does not abuse cord. Never use the cord to carry the tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electrical shock.
5. When operating a power tool outside, use outdoor extensions cord marked “W-A” or “W”. These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electrical shock.
6. Connect the tool to an AC power supply that matches the name plate specification. Incorrect voltage supply can cause electrical shock or burns.
7. Use only three-wire extension cords which have three-prong grounding plugs and three pole receptacles which accept the machines plug. Use of other extension cords will not ground the tool and increase the risk of electrical shock.
Personal Safety
1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
2. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
3. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF before plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch ON invites accidents.
4. Remove adjusting keys or switches before turning the tool ON. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.
5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
6. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
Tool Use and Care
1. Use clamp or other practical way to secure and support the work piece to a stable platform. Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.
2. Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
3. Do not use tool if switch does not turn it ON or OFF. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
4. Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
5. Store idle tools out of the reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
6. Maintain tools with care. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
7. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the tool's operation. If damaged, have the tool serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
8. Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous when used on another tool.
9. Inspect tool and extension cords periodically and replace if damaged. Damaged cords increase the risk of electrical shock.
10. Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil and grease. Allows for better control of the tool.
11. Store tools in dry place. Such measures reduce the risk of electrical shock.
Service
1. Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified repair personnel could result in injury.
2. When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance Section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create a risk of electrical shock or injury.
3. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
Specific Safety Information
The Operator’s Manual contains specific safety information and instructions for your protection against serious injuries including:
1. Loss of fingers, hands, arms or other body parts if clothing or gloves get caught in moving parts;
2. Electrical shock or burns from contact with wires, motor or other power drive parts;
3. Impact injuries, including broken bones if machine tips over or work piece falls;
4. Eye injuries, including being blinded by the work piece or work piece chips.
5. Read and follow safety labels on machine! Know the location and functions of all controls before using this tool.
Foot Switch Safety
The foot switch is for your safety. It lets you SHUT OFF the motor by removing your foot. If clothing should become caught in the machine, it will continue to wind up, pulling you into the machine. Because the machine has high torque, the clothing itself can bind around your arm or other body parts with enough force to crush or break bones.
Threading Machine Safety
1. Machine is made to thread and cut pipe or bolt. Follow instructions in Operator’s Manual on machine uses. Other uses may increase the risk of injury.
2. Secure machine to bench or stand. Will keep the machine from tipping over.
3. Keep covers in place. Do not operate the machine with covers removed. Exposure to moving parts may result in entanglement and serious injury.
4. Support long heavy pipe with pipe supports. Will prevent tipping of the machine.
5. Do not wear gloves or loose clothing. Keep sleeves and jackets buttoned. Do not reach across the machine or pipe. Clothing can be caught by the pipe resulting in entanglement and serious injury.
6. Clothing/gloves can be caught in moving parts. Fingers, hands, arms or other body parts can be crushed or broken.
7. Do not use machine if foot switch is broken. Foot switch is a safety device to prevent serious injury.
8. Lock foot switch when not in use. Avoids accidental starting.
9. Use foot switch.
10. Operate machine from switch side only.
11. Do not block or disconnect foot switch.
12. Keep foot switch in working order.
13. Make sure switch is in the OFF position before plugging power cord or when using nipple chuck wrench.
14. Make sure you can quickly remove your foot from the foot switch.
15. Keep hands away from rotating pipe and fittings.
16. Stop machine when screwing fittings on pipe or wiping thread.

REMEMBER THAT IT IS SO MUCH IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY PROCEDURES AT ANY TIME IN A WORKPLACE TO AVOID LOSS OF LIFE .
LATER WE WILL SHARE HOW TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE WORKSHOP/ AT THE WORK PLACE.

PREPARED BY 
GILBERT NIWAMANYA 
INSTRUCTOR 
NAKAWA VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE 
UGANDA.