You should not use a drill when there's a risk of hitting live wires, pipes, or fragile materials (like drywall) with excessive force; when the material is wet; if you lack proper PPE (eye/ear protection, gloves); or to free a jammed bit (use the chuck release instead). Also, avoid using a hammer drill mode on soft materials like wood or drywall as it can cause damage.
Check for Sockets, Switches, and Light Fittings:
Avoid drilling directly above, below, or to the sides of these.
Drivers: Drivers have more torque than a drill and are superior at directing their force downward. Instead of a chuck, the bit is held by a hex shaped clamp. Use hexagonal bits with a divot in the shank or use a hex-bit adapter. Impact drivers are better for driving long screws and lag bolts.
Impact drivers have too much power for drilling smaller screws. They could strip or overdrive these screws. Drills on the other hand have speed control on the clutch. The best option for driving delicate or small screws is using the low-speed clutch settings on a drill.
Risks When Using Drills
Shocks can result from misuse of the equipment itself or from drilling into live cables. Injuries – cuts, puncture wounds and damage to fingers/ hands are the most common injuries incurred when using a drill.
Disadvantages of drills include:
Health hazards include chemical hazards (solvents, adhesives, paints, toxic dusts, etc.), physical hazards (noise, radiation, heat, etc.), biological hazards (infectious diseases), and ergonomic risk factors (heavy lifting, repetitive motions, vibration).
If you're driving in a lot of fasteners, longer screws and lag bolts, an impact driver is the best choice. Impact drills are known for having a powerful torque that lets them drill through dense materials such as metal or knotted wood. Great projects for an impact driver include: Building a deck or fence.
What's the most common rookie mistake with the drill and impact driver? Using the wrong tool for the job. For example, drilling with an impact driver or using a drill to drive lag bolts into hardwood without pilot holes.
A hammer drill functions similarly to a standard drill but with an added hammering action. This downward striking motion allows it to drill into tougher materials like stone, concrete, and brick, making it the best choice for masonry work.
To use an electric drill as a screwdriver, you need to fit it with a screwdriver bit that matches the screw head type. The bit is inserted into the drill's chuck, tightened, and the drill's direction switch is set for tightening or loosening screws.
Metals require a slower speed to ensure the drill bit doesn't overheat. The denser the metal, the slower the drill should spin.
Electrical wiring exists as the most widespread hazard when it comes to drilling through walls. Every outlet, light switch, wall sconce, etc., has at least one run of wire going to and from it.
In practice, punishments for missing a part or all of a weekend drill range from nothing, to not being paid, to having to make up the drill, and in some rare instances arrest and punishment. GI Rights Hotline Counselors can provide information regarding the rules and likely risks of punishment in different states.
Get a Stud Finder or Voltage Detector.
To avoid aimlessly feeling around the wall all day, start somewhere nearby where you know there is electrical wiring—such as near an outlet—and trace the wiring back. If you're lucky, it will be on the same circuit as the wire you drilled through.
Higher lofted drivers, typically between 10.5° and 12°, create a higher launch angle. This makes it easier for beginners to get the ball up in the air, leading to longer carry distances and a more forgiving feel.
Here's our curated list of the best drivers for high handicappers in 2025, tested and reviewed using real launch monitor data.
An impact driver may not be the best choice for every job. Consider using a drill or another tool in these scenarios: Light-Duty Tasks: Small screws or materials that don't require high torque.
Makita® Cordless Drills are used in autobody repair and restoration, as well as installing stereos, sound systems, and other after-market electronics. Drills can power through sheet metal, steel, wood, fiberglass, acrylic and other plastics.
The question about how many breaks workers are provided is more related to work schedules and labor regulations rather than directly identifying hazards in the workplace. Therefore, this question is NOT commonly asked to identify hazards.
“The Five Hazardous Attitudes” are the source of most on-the-job incidents during elevated construction. These attitudes, Anti-Authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, & Resignation, often lead to poor judgment and risk assessment.
Many seem to know the basics when it comes to safety hazards in their home such as covering all outlets, sharp corners and locking up cabinets and poisonous chemicals.