In this situation, the torque was 35 Nm (26 lb ft) and the employee was wearing gloves. Preliminary reports are that a
nylon tie strap that had been added by somebody to help secure the battery to the tool, which managed to slip up and
hold the trigger in the "on“ position. It is believed that the employee was holding the gun in her left hand and had her
right hand on the juncture of socket and extension swivel. When her glove got snagged, she was unable to turn off the
tool.
Do not conclude from this incident that you should never wear gloves when using a torque gun.
Even though this injury did not happen at the NLR facility, there is much to learn from this incident.
1) Hold a torque gun with two hands to keep the hands away from the danger zone. There is never any reason to
have a free hand holding the swivel or socket. One handing any torque gun or impact wrench is a good way to get
a wrist sprain.
2) Do not attempt to repair tools.
3) If a tool or lifting device is broken in the NLR facility:
• Take broken tools or lifting devices to the Tool Crib
• Tool Crib determines proper fix (repair or replacement)
• Most tools are repaired by Tool Crib employees
• Some tools are outsourced for repair (if recommended by Tool Crib)