Markings on tools

Markings on tools


We often use various tools in our daily work. As you already know from previous parts of the course, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the tools used are in good working order and suitable for the work to be performed. They should be fully equipped with the required guards (if provided by the manufacturer), have visible markings, and have a current and valid technical inspection certificate.

CE mark

Certificate CE must be affixed to all tools and personal protective equipment used on the premises. European Union, actually European Economic Area (EEA).

Designation CE indicates that the tool or personal protective equipment:

  • meets the minimum requirements for safety, health protection, and environmental protection,
  • may be legally marketed within the EEA.

It is worth remembering that The CE certificate is declarative. This means that producent declares that its product meets the requirements set out in the relevant directives. However, this does not mean that each product has been individually checked or tested by an independent institution.

 

Technical review

We have four groups of tools that are subject to mandatory annual technical inspection after the warranty expires.

  1. Power tools. Those that require connection to the electrical system to operate. Otherwise, with a plug. It does not matter whether it is a 230V or 380V tool. This group does not include battery-powered tools, but battery chargers are included. If the tool has a plug, it is subject to inspection.
  2. Measuring tools. We are not referring to measuring tapes or calipers, although these are also measuring tools, as they are not subject to inspection. The ones that must be inspected are meters designed for electrical measurements, wind speed meters (anemometers), noise meters (sound meters, phonometers), multi-gas sensors (usually measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, hazardous gases, or explosion levels) and other measuring devices used in industry.
  3. Large tools. For example, ladders, lifts, hoists, forklifts, cranes and lifting equipment, overhead cranes, passenger and freight elevators, elevators on delivery trucks, lathes, milling machines, grinders, scaffolding, etc. This group is really large.
  4. Tools and equipment that can cause injury, regardless of how they are powered. It doesn’t matter whether the tool is powered by electricity from a socket, a battery, compressed air, or cosmic energy. If a tool can cause us harm, it is subject to mandatory technical inspection. An example of such a tool is an angle grinder. This device comes in various forms: mains-powered, battery-powered, compressed air-powered. And each form must have a valid technical inspection.

Double insulation symbol for tools

A square within a square or a double square means that the tool or device has double insulation. The electrical part of the tool or device is mechanically separated from the electrical part of the device and has no physical contact with it. Very often, the device is equipped with a plastic housing. It has a plug with two pins and does not require grounding. Such a tool can be safely held in your hand while working.

Tool grounding sign

Uwaga! This is not an information sign, but a mandatory sign. It usually appears on the tool in the form of a black or engraved pictogram. This sign means that the tool MUST be earthed. It has an earthed plug and can be used ONLY in installations with effective grounding.

Approved for use in explosive atmospheres

This symbol indicates that the tool can be used in an explosive atmosphere. In other words, the tool will not generate static electricity during operation and can be used safely in areas where explosions may occur. Pneumatic tools are the first example. Since they do not contain an electric motor or brushes, the tool’s drive system will not generate an electric spark. Another example is the so-called “copper wrenches.” They are so called because they look as if they are made of copper, but in fact they are made of a copper and beryllium alloy. They have the same strength as steel tools. When such a wrench is struck against a stone or structural elements, no sparks are generated. If you want to know more about explosion hazard zones, please refer to the ATEX section.