For tradesmen the world over, professional power tools are a fact of life. Much as a butcher needs knives and a baker needs an oven, tradesmen need power tools to get things built, fixed or destroyed. There are a number of brands available to the professional, ranging from the ever-popular European powerhouse that is Bosch tools to the leading constructor of cordless lithium ion devices: Makita tools.

Different brands specialise in different tools. Paslode, for instance, are the one world's leading manufacturers of nail guns. Alongside Hilti products, you will find their tools on building sites around the world; wherever two surfaces need fixing together firmly and permanently. The most powerful nail guns can lodge a nail deep into a solid piece of concrete and should be used with utmost caution. Smaller versions are also available, commonly known as brad nailers (NOT after a tradesman called Brad Nailer, it should be noted).

Dewalt tools are made by American giant Black and Decker. One of their most popular lines is a revolutionary series of laser levels which are viewed as some of the best on the market (alongside those produced by Bosch and Topcon laser levels). Laser levels allow tradesmen to get an exact level projected for hundreds of feet, which can come in handy on large jobs. Lazer levels also allow surveyors to get exact measurements over a long distance when trying to find out whether ground is flat.

Professional work requires professional trade tools. One of the most dangerous situations any worker can find themselves in is power tool failure, whether that be an angle grinder losing its guard or a worn-out cable causing electrical failure. There should be precautions in place to make the second eventuality less likely, but this cannot be guaranteed. Hand tools need to be used properly to reduce danger; a recent survey showed that one of the most common power tool related accident is a workman falling over a hanging cable! By choosing a good brand such as Metabo tools, you can reduce the risk of tool failure. The majority of accidents, after all, are caused by human error as opposed to mechanical failure.

Power tool safety should be one of the first things to consider when starting a new job. When it is overlooked, accidents occur!