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904 Oil and Gas Well Inspection
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Hand Tools

Cutting Tools

Cutting tools should be kept sharp and stored where they do not present a hazard. A good supply of replacement blades should be available for knifes and saws.

Two roughnecks are using a chain tong to tighten pipe.

Chain Tongs

Chain tongs are a type of pipe wrench used for hand-tightening various threaded connections around the rigsite.

It consists of a handle, a set of gripping die teeth, a length of flat chain and a hooking slot where the chain may be adjusted to fit the pipe.

The jaw heads on chain wrenches should be sharp and clean. The retainer should be installed properly and the chain should be flexible and free from side load damage.

Severely bent handles or loose jaws would be reason to take the tongs out of service.

Shovels and Rakes

Wooden handled tools should be free from splinters or broken handles. Shovels should be clean of chemicals or mud that may cause injury to others.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-4. What action should be taken if severely bent handles or loose jaws are discovered while inspecting chain tongs?