Power Shears & Nibblers
Power shears and nibblers cut sheet metal for roofing, siding, ducts and panels. They are quieter and cleaner than a grinder, but the metal they cut curls into razor-sharp ribbons and chips, and the tool can grab and pull the cord or the sheet. Gloves and good technique prevent most injuries.
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Roofers & Siding Installers
- HVAC Installers
- Auto Body Techs
Tools
- Power shears: straight or offset cutting heads that slice sheet metal.
- Nibblers: a punch and die that removes a narrow strip of metal, good for curves and corrugated sheets.
- Swivel-head shears and double-cut shears that remove a thin strip.
- Corded, battery and pneumatic models. See Battery Safety and Tin Snips.
Main hazards
- Lacerations from sharp metal edges, curls and chips. Cuts to the hands and forearms are the most common injury.
- Eye injuries from flying slivers.
- Hot metal chips that can burn skin or ignite materials nearby.
- Pinched hands between the tool and sheet, and kickback when the cutter binds.
- Cord cuts and shock: cutting through your own cord. See GFCI Protection.
- Noise and vibration. See Hand-Arm Vibration.
- Falls on roofs with loose chips, and slips on scrap. See Roofing.
- Coatings and fumes from galvanized or painted metal. See Galvanized Metal Fume Fever.
Safe use
- Wear cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, long sleeves and sturdy boots. See Cut-Resistant Sleeves.
- Secure the sheet with clamps or a stable support so it can't move or vibrate. Cut away from your body.
- Mark the line and keep the tool aligned. Let the tool do the work and don't force it. Keep the cord behind you and away from the cutting path.
- Keep fingers and hands clear of the cutting head and the slug or curl discharge. Don't hold the cut-off piece by the cutting edge.
- Use GFCI protection for corded tools and unplug or remove the battery before changing the blade or die.
- Keep blades and dies sharp and correctly adjusted. Dull tools bind and kick.
- Collect chips and scrap in a container. Sweep with a magnet or brush and don't use bare hands. Keep sparks and hot chips away from combustibles.
Power shear checklist
- I wear cut-resistant gloves, eye and hearing protection
- The sheet is clamped and I cut away from my body
- The cord is behind me; the tool is on a GFCI or the battery is secure
- I unplug or remove the battery before blade changes
- Scrap and chips are swept up into a container
Standards & references
Last updated: