| Choosing the right power tool for the job or | | | | sites for their ease of use and of course |
| application is paramount to getting the job | | | | their portability. But there are |
| done in a timely fashion and more importantly | | | | unfortunately downsides to products like |
| with the correct amount of safety for both | | | | this, not just due to vibration and weight |
| yourself and anyone else in the vicinity. | | | | but also health and safety issues such as |
| | | | battery safety which is now causing problems |
| While a lot of this is down to personal | | | | in the United States of America as voltage |
| preference there are a few factors that are | | | | rises. The higher rating of battery power |
| consistent when selecting the correct tool, | | | | leads to an increase in the running |
| particularly cordless tools. Weight is very | | | | temperature and the risk of fire or even |
| important factor particularly with a tool | | | | explosion when the core operating temperature |
| that is in constant use such as a drill, | | | | of the battery runs out of control and |
| impact driver or grinder. Using a tool which | | | | chemical reaction is such that the products |
| is heavy or cumbersome leads to at least | | | | alights or worse explodes. |
| aching arms or at worst more serious ailments | | | | |
| such as white finger. Heavy tools in | | | | Of course, the cordless tool revolution |
| conjunction with overreaching or working on | | | | brings about many changes that are positive |
| platforms or ladders can also be | | | | and amongst others the portability of tools |
| exceptionally dangerous and could lead to | | | | allows them to be used in situations where it |
| serious falls or accidents. | | | | was previously impossible or completely |
| | | | impractical. Imagine having to drag a |
| Vibration is now a major concern across | | | | generator across a muddy field to a barn |
| Europe with legislation now in place to | | | | renovation in order to power all your tooling |
| ensure workers are protected from vibrating | | | | requirements (and don't forget all the tool |
| tools and the symptoms thus associated with. | | | | would need to work off 110v) and then at the |
| In April of 2006 a worker in France won an | | | | end of a long days work drag it back again, |
| astounding 25,000 Euros from his employer | | | | or run the risk of leaving the generator only |
| after loses the use of fingers in his right | | | | to come back the next morning to have had it |
| hand as a result of vibrating tools. The | | | | stolen or vandalized. |
| employee was using a grinder for extended | | | | |
| periods during his working day, somewhere in | | | | So in short, there's no stopping the |
| the region of 4 to 6 hours per day on a five | | | | continuous improvement of cordless power and |
| day working week. Doctors carried out tests | | | | to be honest I don't think anyone would |
| on the subject and their findings where | | | | really want that and in time I think it's |
| sufficient that a court of law concluded that | | | | fair to say that work sites and even the |
| the evidence was such to press charges | | | | humble garden shed will one day be clear of |
| against the employer. | | | | the tangle of wires and extension leads and I |
| | | | for one think that can't be too much of a bad |
| Cordless drills are now standard across work | | | | thing, bring on the revolution! |