Safety Instructions

General Operating and Workplace Safety Guidance

POWER ELECTRICAL power tool safety instructions provide general operating and workplace safety guidance for professional rebar processing, construction, metalworking, and rescue applications.

Safe operation depends on selecting the correct tool, understanding its rated capacity, inspecting the equipment before use, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and following the operating instructions supplied with the specific product.

These general safety instructions apply to POWER ELECTRICAL corded and cordless electro-hydraulic tools, including rebar cutters, rebar benders, bender & cutters, hydraulic hole punchers, chain cutters, and related professional equipment.

Important: Always read and understand the instruction manual supplied with your specific POWER ELECTRICAL product before operation. Product-specific instructions, rated capacities, operating procedures, and warnings take priority over this general guidance.

1. General Power Tool Safety Instructions Before Use

Before operating any POWER ELECTRICAL tool:

• Read and understand the complete instruction manual.
• Become familiar with the controls, trigger, release mechanism, accessories, and safety features.
• Confirm the tool’s intended application and rated capacity.
• Keep the instruction manual available to operators.
• Allow only trained and authorized personnel to operate the equipment.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals require operators to read the instructions before attempting to use the tool and recommend that servicing be carried out by qualified repair personnel using appropriate replacement parts.

Never use a tool for an application that is not described in the applicable instruction manual.

2. Use the Tool Only Within Its Rated Capacity

Never exceed the maximum capacity specified for the tool.

Depending on the product, rated capacity may be determined by:

• Rebar diameter.
• Steel grade.
• Material hardness.
• Material thickness.
• Cutting capacity.
• Bending capacity.
• Punching capacity.
• Hydraulic force.

POWER ELECTRICAL rebar cutter and bender manuals specifically warn against processing material that is harder, thicker, thinner, or otherwise outside the designated specifications.

Do not increase cutting or bending force by modifying the hydraulic pump, pressure system, motor, battery system, or other internal components.

Operating beyond the rated capacity may cause tool damage, material breakage, uncontrolled movement, component failure, or serious personal injury.

3. Maintain a Safe Work Area

Keep the work area:

• Clean.
• Well illuminated.
• Dry.
• Stable.
• Free from unnecessary obstructions.

Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres or in areas containing flammable liquids, gases, vapors, or combustible dust.

Keep children, visitors, and unnecessary personnel away from the operating area.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals also instruct operators to maintain a clean and well-lit workspace and to keep children and bystanders away while a power tool is operating.

When operating at height, make sure that no person is positioned beneath the tool, material, or expected fall zone.

Use appropriate barriers where flying or falling material could create a hazard.

4. Wear Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear suitable PPE for the application and jobsite conditions.

Recommended protection may include:

• Safety goggles or safety glasses with side protection.
• Face shield where flying fragments are possible.
• Safety helmet.
• Safety footwear with non-slip soles.
• Hearing protection where required.
• Dust mask or suitable respiratory protection in dusty environments.
• Protective gloves when handling sharp material, metal fragments, or hydraulic oil.

Eye protection is specifically required in POWER ELECTRICAL rebar cutter and bender operating instructions.

Avoid loose clothing, jewelry, scarves, loose sleeves, or other items that could become caught in moving components.

Secure long hair before operating the tool.

Do not allow gloves, clothing, fingers, or other body parts to enter cutting, bending, rotating, clamping, punching, or moving mechanisms.

5. Maintain Proper Control of the Tool

Always maintain stable footing and proper balance.

Do not overreach.

Hold the tool securely during operation and position yourself so that you can maintain control if the material moves unexpectedly.

Keep:

• Hands away from cutter blocks and blades.
• Fingers away from bending shoes and pistons.
• Face and body away from moving material.
• Clothing away from moving components.
• Electrical cables away from the workpiece and cutting area.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals instruct operators to hold tools firmly, maintain proper footing and balance, and avoid overreaching.

Remove adjusting tools, spanners, and wrenches before starting the machine.

Never carry a power tool with your finger on the trigger.

Do not leave an energized tool unattended.

6. Secure and Position the Workpiece Correctly

Rebar and other workpieces can move suddenly during cutting, bending, punching, or hydraulic loading.

Before operation:

• Position the material correctly.
• Support long material where necessary.
• Keep the material stable.
• Make sure the workpiece is correctly seated in the tool.
• Follow the positioning instructions in the applicable product manual.
• Keep personnel away from the expected movement path.

Where clamps, supports, stops, or fixtures are provided, use them correctly.

Never hold material by hand in a position that places your fingers or body close to a hazardous mechanism.

7. Rebar Cutter Safety

Rebar cutting can create sudden movement and flying cut ends.

Before cutting:

• Confirm that the rebar is within the rated cutting capacity.
• Inspect the cutter blocks or cutting blades.
• Confirm that cutter-block bolts and related fasteners are secure.
• Position the rebar fully and correctly in the cutting area.
• Adjust the stopper or support mechanism where required.
• Keep the rebar properly aligned with the cutter blocks.

POWER ELECTRICAL cutter instructions warn that cut ends can be ejected, particularly when short sections of rebar are being cut, and recommend safety screens to protect nearby personnel.

For this reason:

• Keep personnel away from the possible ejection direction.
• Use suitable safety screens or barriers where necessary.
• Never place your hand between cutter blocks.
• Never attempt to restrain a cut end with your hand.

If a piston or cutter block fails to retract normally, do not push the cutter block with your hand, even if gloves are worn.

POWER ELECTRICAL cutter instructions specifically warn against manually pushing a cutter block with any part of the hand.

8. Rebar Bender Safety

Rebar bending produces significant hydraulic force.

Long pieces of rebar may move through a wide arc during bending.

Before bending:

• Confirm the rebar diameter and grade are within the rated capacity.
• Inspect the bending shoe.
• Inspect the housing.
• Confirm bolts and fasteners are secure.
• Position the rebar correctly.
• Identify the expected bending path.

During operation:

• Keep hands away from the bending shoe.
• Keep hands away from the piston area.
• Keep your body outside the bending path.
• Keep bystanders outside the movement area.
• Maintain firm control of the tool.
• Do not reposition the material while the mechanism is moving.

POWER ELECTRICAL bender manuals require inspection of the bending shoe and related bolts before use and warn that loose or cracked components can cause injury.

Stop operating immediately if the material slips, jams, twists unexpectedly, or fails to bend normally.

9. Electrical Safety for Corded Tools

Before connecting a corded POWER ELECTRICAL tool to a power supply:

• Confirm that the power supply matches the product rating.
• Confirm that the outlet and grounding system are suitable.
• Inspect the power cord.
• Inspect the plug.
• Check extension cables before use.
• Confirm that the operating switch is OFF.

Do not:

• Modify the plug.
• Carry the tool by the electrical cord.
• Pull the cord to disconnect the tool.
• Use a damaged power cord.
• Expose electrical connections to rain or water.
• Handle plugs with wet hands.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals warn against operating corded tools in rain or damp locations and require damaged cables or plugs to be corrected before operation.

Keep electrical cords away from:

• Heat.
• Oil.
• Sharp edges.
• Moving parts.
• Cutting areas.

When an extension cable is required, use a cable of suitable type, conductor size, length, and electrical rating for the application.

10. Cordless Tool Safety

Before installing a battery:

• Make sure the switch is OFF.
• Inspect the battery.
• Check that battery terminals are clean.
• Confirm there is no visible damage or deformation.
• Install the battery securely.

Remove the battery before:

• Inspection.
• Cleaning.
• Maintenance.
• Accessory replacement.
• Transportation.
• Storage.
• Clearing abnormal operating conditions.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless-tool instructions require the battery to be removed before maintenance, repair, accessory replacement, cleaning, inspection, transportation, or other situations where accidental activation could create danger.

Never use an unspecified battery pack.

Never modify or disassemble a battery pack.

11. Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Keep battery terminals away from:

• Screws.
• Nails.
• Metal chips.
• Loose tools.
• Other conductive objects.

Do not short-circuit the battery terminals.

Do not use batteries that are:

• Cracked.
• Severely damaged.
• Deformed.
• Leaking.
• Producing unusual odors.
• Abnormally hot.
• Discolored.
• Showing other signs of malfunction.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless manuals instruct users to stop using batteries showing abnormal heat, odor, discoloration, deformation, leakage, or other abnormalities.

Do not:

• Throw batteries into fire.
• Expose batteries to excessive heat.
• Strike or crush batteries.
• Insert nails into batteries.
• Reverse battery polarity.
• Connect batteries directly to an electrical outlet.
• Use batteries for unauthorized applications.

If a battery overheats during operation, remove it and allow it to cool in a shaded and well-ventilated location before further use.

12. Battery Charging Safety

Use only the charger specified for the battery system.

Charge batteries in a:

• Clean.
• Dry.
• Well-ventilated.
• Non-flammable environment.

Do not cover the charger while charging.

Do not use:

• Damaged chargers.
• Loose electrical outlets.
• Wet electrical connections.
• Unspecified power supplies.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless manuals specify that batteries should not be charged below 0°C or above 40°C and should be charged in a well-ventilated area.

Disconnect the charger from the power supply when it is not in use.

Follow the charging procedure provided with the applicable battery and charger.

13. Hydraulic System Safety

Many POWER ELECTRICAL tools use electro-hydraulic systems capable of generating high force.

Never modify the hydraulic pump or pressure system to increase tool capacity.

Do not operate a hydraulic tool with insufficient hydraulic oil.

Stop operation if you notice:

• Loss of cutting or bending force.
• Abnormally slow piston movement.
• Hydraulic oil leakage.
• Excessive heat.
• Abnormal noise.
• Irregular piston movement.

Hydraulic oil viscosity changes with temperature.

Cold hydraulic oil may cause slow operation, while excessive operating temperature may reduce hydraulic performance.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals recommend warming electro-hydraulic tools under unloaded conditions in cold environments when required.

If the tool becomes excessively hot during continuous use, stop operation and allow it to cool before continuing.

14. Hydraulic Oil Safety

POWER ELECTRICAL electro-hydraulic tools generally use ISO VG32 hydraulic oil.

Some current POWER ELECTRICAL manuals specify Shell Tellus S2 M32, corresponding to ISO Viscosity Grade 32.

Always confirm the correct hydraulic oil in the manual for your specific model.

When handling hydraulic oil:

• Wear suitable eye protection.
• Wear suitable protective gloves.
• Keep the oil away from sparks and flame.
• Do not smoke while filling or handling hydraulic oil.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Keep containers securely closed.
• Store hydraulic oil safely.

Do not remove the oil plug while the tool is operating or while the hydraulic system is hot.

POWER ELECTRICAL instructions require the tool to cool before hydraulic oil refilling and warn against removing the oil plug while the tool remains warm.

Dispose of used hydraulic oil according to applicable local regulations.

Never pour hydraulic oil into:

• Drains.
• Rivers.
• Lakes.
• Soil.
• Other uncontrolled environments.

15. Pre-Operation Inspection

Inspect the tool before every use.

Check:

• Tool housing.
• Cutter blocks.
• Cutting blades.
• Bending shoes.
• Punches and dies.
• Jaws.
• Bolts and screws.
• Hydraulic oil level.
• Power cord and plug.
• Battery and battery terminals.
• Switch or trigger operation.
• Guards.
• Ventilation openings.
• Hydraulic leakage.
• Signs of abnormal wear.

Do not operate a tool with:

• Cracked components.
• Loose components.
• Damaged safety parts.
• Damaged switches.
• Damaged electrical components.
• Abnormal hydraulic behavior.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless manuals recommend performing a test run before actual operation and stopping immediately if abnormal sounds, sparks, or operating problems are detected.

16. Prevent Accidental Startup

Before performing any adjustment, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, or accessory replacement:

Corded tools: Disconnect the power plug.

Cordless tools: Switch the tool off and remove the battery.

Do not rely only on the trigger or operating switch to prevent accidental activation.

Before connecting power or installing a battery, confirm that the trigger or switch is in the OFF or neutral position.

17. Jams and Abnormal Operation

If material becomes jammed or the tool stops operating normally:

1. Release the trigger immediately.
2. Disconnect the power supply or remove the battery.
3. Keep hands away from the working mechanism.
4. Identify the cause of the abnormal condition.
5. Follow the jam-release procedure described in the applicable instruction manual.

Never place your hands inside the cutting, bending, punching, or piston area to release jammed material.

If the problem cannot be corrected using the approved procedure, stop using the tool.

Contact POWER ELECTRICAL or an authorized service provider.

18. Heat and Continuous Operation

Electro-hydraulic tools generate heat during operation.

Do not block the motor ventilation openings.

Keep ventilation openings free from:

• Dust.
• Mud.
• Concrete residue.
• Metal filings.
• Other debris.

POWER ELECTRICAL manuals warn that blocked ventilation openings can cause motor overheating.

If the:

• Tool body.
• Motor.
• Battery.
• Charger.
• Hydraulic system

becomes excessively hot, stop operation and allow the equipment to cool naturally.

Never continue forcing a stalled or overloaded motor.

19. Cleaning and Maintenance

Clean the tool regularly, preferably after each work session.

Before cleaning:

• Disconnect corded tools from the power supply.
• Remove the battery from cordless tools.

Remove:

• Dirt.
• Metal filings.
• Metal chips.
• Dust.
• Mortar.
• Other contamination.

Use care when handling sharp metal fragments.

POWER ELECTRICAL cutter manuals advise against using compressed air for cleaning because airborne metal filings or dust can enter the eyes or respiratory system.

Inspect working components regularly.

Replace components that are:

• Cracked.
• Chipped.
• Excessively worn.
• Deformed.
• Otherwise damaged.

20. Use Specified Parts and Accessories

Use only specified or approved:

• Cutter blocks.
• Bending shoes.
• Punches.
• Dies.
• Batteries.
• Chargers.
• Hydraulic oil.
• Replacement parts.
• Accessories.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless manuals advise users to use designated parts and accessories and to stop using the product when abnormalities are detected.

Do not modify:

• Hydraulic systems.
• Electrical systems.
• Battery systems.
• Safety components.
• Tool housings.
• Operating mechanisms.

Unauthorized modifications can compromise product safety.

21. Storage and Transportation

When the tool is not in use:

• Disconnect the plug or remove the battery.
• Clean the tool.
• Store the equipment in a dry location.
• Keep the tool away from rain and excessive humidity.
• Avoid excessive heat.
• Protect the tool from direct sunlight where appropriate.
• Keep the equipment away from flammable or explosive materials.
• Store tools away from children and unauthorized personnel.

Cordless POWER ELECTRICAL manuals recommend dry, secure storage and warn against high-temperature locations such as enclosed vehicles or metal containers exposed to summer heat.

Protect batteries against short circuits during storage and transportation.

Do not store loose batteries with conductive metal objects.

Secure the tool during transportation to prevent:

• Impact.
• Movement.
• Dropping.
• Accidental activation.

22. Repair and Service

Stop using the tool if it is damaged or does not operate normally.

Internal electrical, hydraulic, structural, and safety-related repairs should be performed by qualified personnel.

Do not disassemble or replace internal components unless the applicable POWER ELECTRICAL instruction manual specifically provides an approved procedure.

POWER ELECTRICAL cordless manuals state that users should not attempt repairs or disassembly of parts not covered by the manual and should contact POWER ELECTRICAL or a dealer when repair is required.

Use appropriate replacement parts to maintain tool safety and performance.

23. Employer and Operator Responsibilities

These general safety instructions do not replace:

• The product instruction manual.
• Employer safety procedures.
• Jobsite risk assessments.
• Occupational safety regulations.
• Electrical codes.
• PPE requirements.
• Material-handling procedures.
• Local laws and regulations.

Employers are responsible for providing a suitable working environment and ensuring that operators receive appropriate training.

Operators are responsible for:

• Reading the applicable instructions.
• Selecting the correct tool.
• Inspecting the tool before use.
• Operating within the rated capacity.
• Wearing appropriate PPE.
• Keeping other personnel clear of hazards.
• Stopping work when an abnormal or unsafe condition occurs.

Important Safety Notice

Always read the instruction manual supplied with your specific POWER ELECTRICAL product before use.

Different models may have different:

• Rated capacities.
• Steel grade limitations.
• Electrical requirements.
• Battery systems.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Operating procedures.
• Maintenance requirements.
• Accessories.
• Safety precautions.

If this general safety guidance differs from the instructions supplied with your specific product, follow the product-specific instruction manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Product model.
• Serial number, if available.
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Professional Portable Electro-Hydraulic Tools