Working at height – Use of wooden handled hammers
- Safety Flash
- Published on 13 September 2016
- Generated on 21 February 2026
- IMCA SF 23/16
- 1 minute read
A Member has drawn to IMCA’s attention a number of incidents involving the use at height of wooden handled hammers. All of these incidents involved the hammer head separating from the handle, and had the potential to cause major injury or fatality.
Our member took the following actions:
- Required crews not to use hammers with wooden handles when working at height.
- Required crews to use composite design hammers (single piece with integrated handles) when working at height.
- Ensured that tools are regularly checked to ensure they are in a serviceable condition and free of homemade repairs, and defects (loose heads, etc.).
- Ensured removal of all wooden handled hammers which were used for work at height.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 14/14
7 August 2014
-
IMCA SF 12/11
1 November 2011
-
IMCA SF 01/06
31 January 2006
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