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Proper Use - Abuse/Misuse Of Railroad Track Tools

All railroad track tools, including Hot Cutters, Track Chisels, Crow Bars, Sledges, Picks, Spike Mauls, Spike Pullers and Wrenches have a specific use for a specific job.

Such tools are not to be abused and are not to be used for purposes other than their intended use. For example, railroad spike mauls are specifically intended to be used for driving railroad spikes only. Do not use a spike maul for grouser pin installation or removal. Uses of railroad track tools for other than their intended use can result in serious bodily injury.

Tools should be inspected before being used. Discard any striking or struck tool immediately at the first sign of chipping, mushrooming, or cracking. Never use a tool with a loose or damaged handle.

Safety goggles or equivalent eye protection conforming to American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, ANSI Z87.1-1979, should be worn by the user and all persons in the immediate area where any striking tool is being used, to avoid eye injury from flying objects.

A heavy striking-tool blow should always be struck squarely with the striking face parallel with the surface being struck. Always avoid glancing blows and over and under strikes.

No , area, section, or portion of the striking tool shall be ground, welded, re-heat treated, or other wise altered from the original condition as furnished by the manufacturer.

Wear Safety Goggles

INTRODUCTION. The striking and struck faces of tool are designed to direct the force of blows toward the center or body of the tool. Blows struck off center are not directed toward the body of the tool where they can be absorbed, but rather travel directly along the sides of the tool where there is insufficient back-up material. The net effect is shearing rather than cushioning which is dangerous.

The angle and thickness of the cutting edges of tools are designed to give maximum cut and durability decrease, but the durability is drastically reduced. Many failures are caused by dullness.

Wood Splitting Wedges

PROPER USES. Wood splitting wedges are designed for splitting logs, firewood, staves and other wood products. Always use a woodchoppers' maul or an axe to make a starting notch. Wedges should be struck with a sledge or woodchoppers' maul having a larger striking face of the wedge.

Hot Chisels

PROPER USES. Hot chisels are designed for cutting hot steel. They are very similar to blacksmiths' cold chisels except that

The cutting edge or bit is wider and the blade is thinner.

ABUSE/MISUSE. NEVER use hot chisels for cutting cold metal, stone or concrete. NEVER use a dull chisel or one with a mushroomed head. If cutting edge is dull it may be redressed.

Cold Chisels

PROPER USES. Cold chisels have a cutting edge at one end for cutting, shaping and removing metal softer than the cutting edge itself and a struck face on the opposite end.

ABUSE/MISUSE. NEVER use cold chisels for cutting or splitting stone or concrete. NEVER use a dull chisel or one with a mushroomed head.

Blacksmiths' Punches - Round and Backing Out

DESCRIPTION. The punch end of the round punch is tapered from point to body, whereas the punch end of the backing out punch is the same diameter from point to body. Both types are fitted with handles.

PROPER USES. Blacksmiths' round punches are designed for drifting holes, aligning and driving pins. Blacksmiths' backing out punches are designed for backing out bolts, rivets and pins. Do not use for grouser pin installation or removal.

ABUSE/MISUSE. NEVER use a punch with a mushroomed struck face or a chipped or deformed point.

WHEN TO REPLACE. Discard and punch if it is bent or shows dents, cracks, chips, mushrooming or excessive wear. If point end is deformed, it may be redressed.

NOTE:

Copies of the booklet "Hand Tool Safety-Guide to Selection and Proper Use" can be obtained from Hand Tools Institute, 25 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591