Pliers & Cutters

Pliers are for gripping, bending and cutting wire. Used as wrenches or hammers, they slip, pinch fingers and wreck fasteners. Cut wire ends can fly into eyes at high speed.

• Construction
• General Industry

Pick the right pliers

Using pliers safely

• Use cutters rated for the wire you’re cutting. Hardened wire needs hardened-wire cutters, or the jaws can chip and throw pieces.
• Cut at right angles. Don’t rock the cutters side to side.
• Point the cut end down or away and hold the loose end. Cut wire ends fly. Wear safety glasses.
• Keep your fingers clear of the pivot and the handle ends (pinch points).
• Pull the handles toward you, not away, so a slip doesn’t send your knuckles into something.
• Use insulated pliers rated for the voltage for electrical work, and only if qualified. See Insulated Hand Tools.
• Oil the pivot and replace pliers with worn jaws or cutting edges.
• Choose pliers with cushioned, non-slip handles that fit your hand to reduce strain.

• Don’t use pliers on nuts and bolts. Use a wrench.
• Don’t hammer with pliers or extend the handles with a pipe for more leverage.
• Don’t cut live wires.
• Don’t rely on rubber or plastic dipped handles for shock protection; they are for comfort unless the pliers are marked as insulated and voltage-rated.
• Don’t expose pliers to heat that can ruin the temper.

Inspection checklist

• Jaws line up and grip without slipping
• Cutting edges not chipped, nicked or dull
• Pivot tight but moving freely
• Handles not cracked or bent
• Insulated pliers: insulation intact, voltage marking readable

Last updated: October 2, 2026