Rotary Hammers & Hammer Drills

Rotary hammers drill concrete and masonry for anchors. They create silica dust and high torque, and they can grab hard when the bit hits rebar.

• Construction

Silica dust control

Drilling concrete creates respirable crystalline silica. Under OSHA’s Table 1, handheld drills in concrete should be used with a dust collection system (a shroud or integrated dust extraction with a HEPA-filtered vacuum) or water. See Crystalline Silica.

Operating safely

• Use the side handle and both hands; brace your body against twisting.
• Use a tool with an anti-rotation clutch if you can.
• Scan or check for rebar, post-tension cables, conduit and pipes before drilling. Never drill post-tensioned slabs without approval.
• Use the right SDS bit for the hole size, and don’t force it.
• Wear safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves.

• Don’t drill overhead without eye protection that seals against falling dust.
• Don’t blow dust out of holes with compressed air. Use a vacuum or hole-cleaning brush.

Last updated: October 1, 2026