Product Safety Reminders Archive
Rechargeable Lithium battery powered lights are available in many convenient configurations and sizes. They are unmatched for convenience and variety. There are, however, some safety points to follow for safe use.
- Never shine the light directly into your eyes or shine it into someone else’s eyes. The brightness can cause vision damage if misused in this manner.
- Do not leave the light on if it is resting on a surface with the light shining against the surface. The energy of the light that is “trapped” against the adjacent surface can increase the temperature to the extent that damage, or a fire, can occur.
Charging of Li-ion Batteries
Battery powered hand-held tools are convenient to use and this has made their use very popular for professional mechanics. The wide variety of battery powered tools and other battery powered devices that are now available has also made the use of various battery powered items very common.
There is a great deal of energy stored in the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells in a battery. Of course, the energy needs to be replenished (“charged”) by routine re-charging of these batteries with 110 volt AC power.
For safety while recharging:
- Use only compatible Snap-on CTC-series chargers for recharging a Snap-on battery.
- Do not recharge any battery known to be damaged,
- Follow the Instructions for charging the battery as contained in the Instruction Manual
To prevent fire damage while recharging batteries:
- Locate the charger and battery in a safe place so that high heat from a failed cell or any flame is contained in an area that does not ignite flammable material such as gasoline fumes, furniture, etc.
- Follow regulations for safe practice --- do not locate a charger lower than 18 inches above the floor in any automotive service area.
Chisels for Air Hammers
Air powered hammers such as the PH3050BR and AT2050 provide the ability to rapidly perform many punching driving, slitting, chiseling etc. jobs. In addition to using the safety measures of eye and hearing protection, there are specific precautions that should be followed when using certain accessories.
In particular, always follows these safety measures:
- Do not use the PHG55A or PHG55B chisel for cutting material harder than the chisel. Examples of these harder materials are case hardened steel and bearing races.
- Do not use a chisel that is already chipped. An already-chipped chisel can further chip much more easily and present the hazard of flying chips.
- Do not use a chipped or broken chisel as a punch.
ARE YOU A “MOBILE” TECHNICIAN?
Transport of Spare Lithium – ion Batteries
The power and energy of Li-ion batteries (generally referred to as Lithium batteries or Lithium cells) is well known. Accidental shorting of charged Lithium batteries poses a hazard of injury from explosion and/or fire.
There are strict restrictions against air transport of charged Lithium batteries. However it is sometimes overlooked that ground transport of charged Lithium batteries can also be hazardous. It is very handy and useful to carry an extra, a “spare”, charged Lithium battery when traveling by truck or car to a job where a battery powered tool is essential.
* If the charged Lithium battery is properly and fully engaged with a compatible cordless power tool, the battery terminals are protected from accidental shorting by adjacent metal tools etc. Make sure that the tool is packed safely so as to avoid accidental activation while in transport.
* But, if the charged Lithium battery is not properly engaged with a tool it can be accidentally shorted and cause a fire and/or explosion.
Be safe – whenever transporting a spare charged Lithium battery that is not engaged in a tool, do not lay it loose on a passenger seat or on the floor or truck bed:
- pack it, alone, in a dry wooden or cardboard box, or
- pack it, alone, in a heavy plastic bag or equivalent.
LED Lights:
LED lights can be hazardous if the LED elements are covered. To prevent injury or fire obey the following warning.
WARNING
- Heat from LED lights can be hazardous.
- Do not cover LED lights with your hand.
- Do not cover LED lights with paper or rags or any other material.
- Heat buildup from covered LED elements can cause burns or fire.
Safe lifting of vehicles on automotive lifts requires using the proper lift and the lift points recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
In addition, safety requires ---
- Trained operators who understand vehicle lift points, lift operation and safety procedures,
- Use of jack stands when removing or adding heavy parts on the vehicle,
- Maintaining the lift as stated in the Instruction Manual, and
- Following all safety instructions on the WARNING decals and in the Instruction Manuals.
- Further information can be found at www.autolift.org
Safe lifting of vehicles on automotive lifts requires using the proper lift and the lift points recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Always make sure that the lift arms are positioned to contact the lift points designated by the vehicle manufacturer for the model and year of the vehicle. Lift point information is also available from the Automotive Lift Institute., PO Box 85, Cortland, NY 13045 (Phone: 607-756-7775, Fax: 607-756-0888, Email: info@autolift.org, Internet: www.autolift.org)
Safe use of hammers begins with the precautions to:
- WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES, user and bystanders
- DO NOT USE A HAMMER THAT IS ALREADY CHIPPED OR DAMAGED
For safe use it is also important to:
- STRIKE SQUARELY, AVOID GLANCING BLOWS
- DO NOT STRIKE ANOTHER HAMMER OR STEEL THAT IS AS HARD, OR HARDER, THAN THE HAMMER
Cordless tools have d.c. motors and switch contacts that can create sparks during normal operation. Sparks can ignite flammable vapors such as gasoline fumes. These fumes can enter the tool through cooling vents. It is important to use caution in areas where gasoline or other flammable vapors may be present, such as near the fuel tank, under the hood fuel rails or anywhere near a fuel system. Do not use any cordless tool where flammable vapors are suspected in order to avoid combustion and possible serious injury.
Tightening of Wheel Lug Nuts
- To assure that wheel lug nuts are properly tightened so that wheels do not "fall off" use an appropriate Torque Wrench.
- Follow the manufacturer's torque specifications for each vehicle.
- Use the "star pattern" of tightening. Retighten the initially tightened nuts.
- If Torque Sticks or Torque Extensions are used, follow the star pattern and make a final check for proper torque using a torque wrench.
Black SSD style screwdrivers, last sold over 25 years ago, may experience a degradation of the plastic handle resulting in a wet slippery surface on the handle. If you have screwdrivers in this condition, please contact Snap-on Customer Service at 877-762-7664 for a free warranty exchange.
A ball peen hammer is one of the most widely used - and often abused - mechanic’s tool. To protect yourself, and others, from injury:
- WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES, user and bystanders
- DO NOT USE A HAMMER THAT IS ALREADY CHIPPED OR DAMAGED
A hammer that has a chip cavity will more easily chip again if struck adjacent the chip cavity. Also, a hammer face with significant deformation such as a “dent” may chip if struck in the damaged area.
Floor Jacks:
- Do not attempt to lift loads heavier than the rated capacity of the jack.
- Do not use the jack to lift a vehicle and then to move the load. The wheels on the Floor Jack are intended for moving the jack, not for rolling (“dollying”) the load.
- After lifting the vehicle lower it on to jack stands to support it while working on it. The wheels on the floor jack may allow the vehicle to move and fall off the jack.
- Always make sure that the handle is turned tightly closed when lifting a vehicle. Failure to tightly close the valve may allow the hydraulic fluid to leak-down resulting in lowering of the vehicle.
- Read and follow the instructions and safety messages in the Owner’s Manual that accompanies the jack.