Non-sparking and anti-static tools both have a common purpose—preventing fires or explosions in production facilities where flammable materials present a concern. However, they each are designed to prevent specific dangers, and shouldn’t be confused. Non-sparking tools are characterized by their lack of ferrous metals (steel and iron), which means they don’t cause sparks that could ignite under the right conditions.

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Anti-static tools are carefully designed to work within a system of grounding equipment to prevent static electricity from building to the point it could damage electronics or provide enough of a charge to start a fire or explosion.

However, being non-sparking doesn’t mean a tool can’t also be anti-static. When properly grounded, a non-sparking tool can also prevent electrostatic discharge.

When are non-sparking tools needed?

Non-sparking tools are important for use in a facility that may have an explosive atmosphere or any reason to be especially concerned about the possibility of sparks causing a fire or an explosion. This typically concerns production facilities that contain flammable gas, mists, dusts, or liquids. Non-flammable tools are often used in oil refineries, paper companies, and ammunitions plants. Food processing facilities that use powdered milk, egg whites, cornstarch, grain, flour, or cornstarch may also use non-sparking tools since these can all create combustible dust hazards.

What are non-sparking tools?

Non-sparking tools are, essentially, those that don’t contain ferrous metals. Ferrous metals include steel and iron, in all of their different iterations. Items that are made from carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron or wrought iron all have the possibility of producing a spark.

Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, brass, silver, and lead. They’re not the only materials that non-sparking tools are made out of, though.

Common non-sparking tools are made of:

• Plastic
• Brass
• Bronze
• Copper-nickel alloys
• Copper-aluminum alloys
• Copper-beryllium alloys
• Wood
• Leather

Plastic is a common non-sparking material for items like shovels, scrapers, paddles, and scoops.  Tools that need a higher tensile strength, like hammers or screws, are often made out of copper alloys, though beryllium tends to be avoided because of its possible toxicity.

There is a possibility that even non-sparking tools could cause a reaction called a “cold spark”, which doesn’t contain enough heat to ignite even the most flammable of substances, carbon disulfide. Cold sparks can still give the appearance that sparks are happening, but are safe around even the most flammable of substances.

When are anti-static tools needed?

Electronics components—especially motherboards—are extremely electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitive. A simple static charge created by a worker walking across a floor to a workstation could destroy a motherboard, rendering the entire component useless. Most industries don’t need to worry about static discharge, but when flammable gas is in the air, such as acetone or methane, even a small discharge can create a fire or explosion.

What are anti-static tools?

Anti-static tools are more complex than not containing a specific type of metal. They must be a part of a complete program to safely discharge static.

Static electricity naturally builds up through three different processes:

1. Tribocharging: Two materials (like socks and carpet) are brought into contact and then separated.
2. Electrostatic induction: An electrically charged object is placed near a conductive object that isn’t grounded.
3. Energetically charged particles impinge on an object: This is mostly a problem for spacecraft.

The most effective prevention for static electricity isn’t so much a single tool, as it is a system of precautions, grounding mechanisms and a lack of highly charged materials. Together, this creates an Electrostatic Discharge Protection Area (EPA) that works to keep electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitive materials safe.

The principles of a successful EPA include:

1. No highly charged materials
2. All conductive materials are grounded
3. Workers are grounded
4. Electrostatic charge builds up on ESD-sensitive electronics is prevented

The hand tools you use in this environment are often made from plastics that are specifically created to work within this delicately balanced system. These electrostatic dissipative (ESD) tools have a balanced charge and low surface resistivity, which means they don’t gain or lose charge to the objects and surfaces that surround them. These tools have precise temperature and humidity ranges that they work in. If they’re used outside those ranges, they may still create a static charge.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Non-Sparking Tools. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

If your facility needs non-sparking tools, all of our lines except our metal detectables will fit your needs. With the exception of some of our handles, they’re made of plastic, which makes our tools durable and safe to use in many different environments.

If you have a static sensitive environment, you may require anti-static tools, which we currently do not offer.

Some of our products, such as our green shovels, are made of plastic mixed with a static resistant compound. The compound is designed to reduce static and keep products from clinging to the tool. This doesn’t make them anti-static, and they shouldn’t be used in areas that have anti-static requirements.

Hand Tools - Non-sparking tools

On this page

• What is a “non-sparking” tool?
• What is the most important thing to know about “non-sparking” tools?
• What are the hazards of both “sparking” and “non-sparking” tools?
• How should I use and maintain “non-sparking” tools?
• What is the best safeguard against incidental explosions?

What is a “non-sparking” tool?

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“Non-sparking,” “spark reduced,” “spark-resistant,” or “spark-proof” tools are names given to tools made of metals such as brass, bronze, Monel metal (copper-nickel alloy), copper-aluminum alloys (aluminum bronze), or copper-beryllium alloys (beryllium bronze).

Commonly used hand tools are often manufactured of steel alloys. Preferred “non-sparking” metals have less tensile strength than steel used to make tools. A lower tensile strength means the metal has less strength or resistance to tearing apart when stretched under test conditions. It also means that these tools are softer, wear down more quickly than ordinary steel tools, and must be dressed more frequently.

What is the most important thing to know about “non-sparking” tools?

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Non-sparking tools also generate sparks, sometimes referred to as “cold sparks”. These cold sparks have a low heat level and do not ignite carbon disulfide, which has the lowest ignition point of any known substance. Therefore, while “non-sparking” tools may lower the risk of a spark, they do not eliminate the possibility of sparks. The name “non-sparking” is misleading because these tools are capable of producing a spark: the term “reduced-sparking tools” better describes these tools.

Non-metals like wood, leather, and plastic are suitable for some tools like shovels, scrapers or scoops and do not pose a friction spark hazard.

Non-sparking tools provide protection against fires and explosions in environments where there is a concern about sparks igniting flammable solvents, vapours, liquids, dusts, or residues.

NOTE: It is important to assess each situation carefully and use the appropriate tools for the hazards that are present. In some cases, “non-sparking” tools may still be able to produce a spark. Contact the tool manufacturer and the producer of the flammable material (for example) for recommendations and more information.

NOTE: It is also important to consider the metals used in the tools themselves. For example, beryllium has been associated with several health issues, including cancer. While exposure to beryllium dust is likely very low with the general use of non-sparking tools, it may be a consideration when grinding or polishing the tool itself.

What are the hazards of both “sparking” and “non-sparking” tools?

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Both “sparking” and “non-sparking” materials can cause ignition. Two types of hazards are associated with tools manufactured of either material:

1. Ignition by friction, with impact on each other or on other materials such as steel or concrete, in which an “ordinary” (mechanical or frictional) spark is generated. All tools can ignite flammable mixtures by sparks generated by friction or impact. However, this issue is true only when the generated spark is incendive: that means a spark that has to have enough heat content (i.e., enough mass and sufficiently high temperature) and has to last long enough to heat a flammable air-vapour mixture above its ignition temperature. This situation is more likely in the case of sparks formed when using a metal grinder than a spark generated when a hammer strikes a metal.
2. Ignition by a chemically-generated spark caused by the impact between certain metals and some oxygen-containing substances (such as rust, which is iron oxide).

How should I use and maintain “non-sparking” tools?

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Follow the guidelines below to reduce the risk of explosion and fire.

• Make sure all “non-sparking” tools are kept clean and free from ferrous or other contaminants, which may hamper the reduced or non-sparking properties.
• Select the right-sized tool for the task (such as the wrench opening to the nut). The right fit will help prevent the tool from slipping, reducing the chance of a spark.
• Inspect tools for wear, chips, or damage. 
• Use a non-sparking tool made of material that is compatible with the workpiece material.
• Do not use non-sparking hand tools in direct contact with acetylene, which may form explosive acetylides, especially in the presence of moisture.
• Use local or mechanical ventilation systems as appropriate to remove hazardous materials, dusts, and vapours from the workplace.
• Non-sparking tools will need to be redressed more often. Follow normal safety procedures when sharpening non-sparking tools such as the provision of eye and face protection, adequate extraction and dust collection facilities.

What is the best safeguard against incidental explosions?

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Follow safe work procedures. Always evaluate a job to be done in any hazardous environment. Use tools and equipment that eliminate ignition, such as electric motors that are certified as “explosion proof” for use in most hazardous work locations or non-sparking tools with proper use and maintenance. Keep in mind that there are no truly non-sparking tools. In any work where flames are used, or sparks are produced, make sure that an explosive atmosphere does not develop. Such atmospheres include flammable vapour-air mixtures and organic dust clouds like flour or coal dust. Isolation, ventilation and purging are methods of ensuring a safe working atmosphere. Use explosimeters in the workplace to monitor hazardous environments.

Refer to OSH Answers General Hand Tool Operation for more tips.

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• Fact sheet last revised: -01-02