How to Use a Jackhammer Safely & Efficiently

Jackhammers, also called breaker hammers or paving breakers, are T-shaped demolition tools that can have different designs and power sources but function the same way.

Pneumatic jackhammers
are powered by compressed air and tend to be the most commonly used by Pros or on construction sites. Most weigh 60-70 lb but some models weigh up to 90 lb.

• Pneumatic jackhammers work with air compressors that force air into the housing of the tool.
• The compressed air activates a trigger valve that rapidly opens and closes.
• The valve causes an internal piston to move up and down, striking the hammer’s detachable chisel or bit.
• The point of the bit impacts the surface of the concrete at hundreds of times per minute.
• The impacts cause the concrete surface to crack and fragment into chunks and fine pieces.

Hydraulic jackhammers use fluid instead of compressed air. Usually larger and more powerful than pneumatic hammers, hydraulic jackhammers are more often used in mining or industrial applications.

Electric jackhammers
tend to be more lightweight (40 lb or less) and easier to use for longer periods of time. They tend to be best for indoor jobs, vertical slabs or smaller, thinner concrete. Such smaller hand tools as demolition hammers are usually powered by electricity.

Jackhammers use different types of bits depending on the job.

• Point bits, or moil bits, are most effective for breaking concrete.
• Spade bits have 5-in. wide blades for breaking asphalt, which is softer than concrete.
• Wedge bits are used to get underneath or between surfaces, usually to separate them rather than break them apart.

Jackhammer bits are made of heavy-duty steel and need to be kept sharp. Dull bits will not break the concrete as effectively.

Before determining the type of concrete drilling tool you need, strike the slab with a sledgehammer for about 5 minutes. If the concrete begins to crack, you may not need a jackhammer.

Pro Tip: Using rental services provides ready access to breaker hammers and other demolition tools for one-time jobs.

Use jackhammers on concrete areas larger than 15-20 square feet. A rough rule of thumb is to use a 40-lb breaker on concrete around 4 inches thick, a 60-lb jackhammer on 6-in. concrete and a 90-lb jackhammer on concrete 9-in. thick and up.

• Jackhammers are heavy, so you don’t need to press your weight down on the handles during operation. Forcing the hammer down can increase the chance that the bit gets stuck. Apply just enough pressure to guide the tool and keep it upright.
• Hold the jackhammer firmly but lightly. The tighter the grip, the greater the effects of the vibration on your body.
• Begin using the jackhammer at a corner of the slab. Move toward the center 2-3 inches at a time to control the direction that the concrete cracks.
• Use the hammer to fracture the surface of the rock rather than force it into a crack, as the bit can get stuck easily.
• Do not hold jackhammer so it goes straight down at a 90-degree angle with the ground. Instead, tilt it to about a 22-degree angle.
• A concrete breaking job will ideally have two workers, one operating the jackhammer and the other with a pry bar or mattock to pull apart the chunks of cracked concrete.
• Concrete slabs with rebar or wire mesh reinforcement resist cracking and take longer to break up. Pause using the jackhammer as needed, and use bolt cutters to cut the mesh.
• Have a plan for concrete disposal. Use a heavy-duty wheelbarrow to move the concrete pieces to a dumpster with a gate. Deliver the dumpster to the disposal site or arrange for waste haulers to take it for you.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have a spare of each type of drill bit you need. If one bit gets stuck, you can detach the jackhammer, put in the spare and hammer the surface around the stuck bit until it’s free.

Jackhammers are loud, kick up dust and cause vibrations that can have ill effects on their operators over time. Take the following safety precautions when using a jackhammer.

Check if your area requires certification to use a jackhammer. Complete any training necessary to use the tool.

Jackhammers are heavy, so have two people to lift and carry one when possible.

Before operating a jackhammer, use plastic sheeting to cover objects in the area that could be damaged by flying debris.

Inspect the hammer before use for signs of wear and damage. Make sure all components are properly attached.

Always wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself from debris when operating a jackhammer. Use the following PPE:

• Safety glasses or face shields
• Hard hats
• Anti-vibration gloves
• N95-rated dust masks
• Steel toe boots
• Hearing protection

For longer-term jobs that require jackhammers, have at least two operators who can alternate shifts. It is recommended to use a jackhammer for no more than 40 minutes a day. Some newer jackhammer models are designed for vibration dampening.

Due to the amount of airborne dust caused by jackhammers, OSHA recommends using a wet cut system. Provide a continuous spray of water at the point where the jackhammer’s bit strikes the concrete to reduce the dust. Use either of these methods:

• Use a jackhammer with a built-in sprayer attachment
• Have another worker spray the jackhammer bit with water during operation

Simply wetting the concrete before hammering is not sufficient to reduce the dust.

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