Tape Measures & Layout Tools
A tape measure seems harmless, but its steel blade has sharp edges, snaps back fast, and conducts electricity. Layout lasers can hurt your eyes. These tools are on nearly every belt, so small habits add up.
- Construction
- General Industry
Tape measure habits
- Let the blade retract slowly, guiding it with your finger on the top of the case, not on the blade edge.
- Keep your face away from the blade when it’s retracting. The hook can whip up toward your eyes.
- Wear gloves if you handle a lot of tape all day. Blade edges cause small cuts.
- Replace tapes with kinked blades, loose hooks or broken cases.
- Clip the tape securely to your belt, or tether it when working at height. A dropped tape can seriously injure someone below. See Tool Tethering.
Electricity
- Never use a metal tape near exposed live electrical parts, in panels or near power lines. It can conduct current and cause a shock or arc flash.
Use a non-conductive fiberglass tape or another non-conductive measuring tool around electrical equipment, and still keep your distance from live parts. See Electrical Basics and Overhead Power Lines.
Long reel tapes
Surveyors and layout crews using 100-foot tapes near roads should wear high-visibility clothing, use traffic control, and never stretch a tape across live traffic. Fiberglass tapes are also safer near overhead lines. See Surveyors.
Chalk lines
- Snapping a line sends chalk dust into the air. Wear safety glasses and stand to the side.
- Use the right chalk: permanent colors like red don’t wash off and stain finishes.
- Watch for the line springing back if the hook lets go.
Construction lasers
OSHA’s construction laser rule (29 CFR 1926.54) says:
- Only trained workers may set up and run lasers.
- Post laser warning signs in areas where lasers are used.
- Don’t point the beam at people.
- Wear laser-safety eyewear when there’s a risk of eye exposure above safe limits.
Most layout lasers are Class 2 or 3R. Don’t stare into the beam, and don’t look at it through a level, transit or binoculars. Set the beam above or below eye level when you can. Turn lasers off when not in use.
Plumb bobs and levels
Plumb bobs are heavy points on a string. Keep the area below clear when hanging one from height. Levels aren’t pry bars or straightedges for cutting.
Belt checklist
- Tape blade straight, hook tight, case intact
- Fiberglass tape available for electrical areas
- Tools tethered when working at height
- Laser warning sign posted if a laser is in use
- Safety glasses on
Standards & references
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