Hang this poster where the drills are kept, so the rules are in front of whoever picks one up.
What is on the poster
Do
- Inspect the drill, cord and plug before each use. Damaged: tag it Do Not Use.
- Impact-rated Z87+ safety glasses, or a face shield over glasses or goggles.
- Hair back, sleeves rolled, jewelry off.
- Unplug, or take the battery out, before changing a bit or adjusting anything.
- Seat the bit fully, tighten the chuck, take the key out, check the bit spins true.
- Clamp the work, small pieces especially, so both hands are on the drill.
- Pilot hole first for a large one. Ease off as the bit breaks through.
- Keep the cord clear of the bit and off the floor. Ground-fault protection where it is damp.
- Wait for it to stop before you set it down. Bits are hot after drilling.
Never
- Wear gloves at a drill or any rotating tool.
- Hold the work in one hand and drill with the other.
- Free a jammed bit by switching on and off. Stop, unplug, then free it.
- Force the bit; slow down instead.
- Carry the drill by its cord, or pull the plug by the cord.
- Break off a grounding prong, or use a light-duty extension cord.
- Use an electric drill in wet or muddy places.
A tingle from the tool means it is faulty. Stop at once and take it out of service.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Powered Hand Drills module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it where the drills are kept, at eye level.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Powered Hand Drills module.
Learn more
The Powered Hand Drills module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- Hand and Power Tools, OSHA 3080 – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- 29 CFR 1910.334, Use of equipment – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed September 30, 2026)
- 29 CFR 1910.242, Hand and portable powered tools – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed September 30, 2026)
Poster SSP-0026, Rev. 1, September 2026.
