SAFETY GUIDE
Personal Protection
There are several measures you must take to protect yourself from shop hazards. For example, do not wear the following when working around machinery:
| | Loose fitting clothing |
| | Neckties |
| | Jewelry |
If you must wear a long sleeved shirt, be sure the sleeves are rolled down and buttoned. Hoodie strings should be tucked in and zipped up. Snug fitting clothes and safety shoes are essential safety equipment in the shop.
Make certain that long hair is not loose, but is pulled back away from equipment.
Always wear safety glasses with side shields when working with shop equipment. Additional protection using goggles or face shields may be necessary.
Wear suitable gloves, preferably leather, when working with the following:
| | Scrap metal or wood |
| | Sharp-edged stock |
| | Unfinished lumber |
Specific Tool Safety
Drill/drill driver Safety
Follow these safety guidelines when using drill presses:
Securely clamp work materials to prevent spinning. Never use your hands to secure work materials.
Use a center punch to mark the material before drilling.
Run the drill at the correct speed. Forcing or feeding too fast can break drill bits.
Never attempt to loosen the chuck unless the power is off.
Lower the spindle before removing a chuck.
Never use an auger bit in a drill press.
Frequently back the drill out of deep cuts to clean and cool the bit.
Never leave chuck key in chuck.
Nail/Air Gun Safety (Pneumatic Fastening Tools)
Nail guns and air guns are powered by compressed air. The main danger associated with pneumatic fastening tools is injury from one of the tool's attachments or fasteners.
Follow these safety guidelines for working with pneumatic tools:
Ensure that pneumatic tools which shoot nails, rivets, or staples are equipped with a device that keeps fasteners from ejecting unless the muzzle is pressed against a firm surface.
Never point a tool at items you do not want to fasten.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to begin work. Most pneumatic tools have a hair-trigger that requires little pressure to activate the gun.
Treat air hoses with the same care as an electrical cord.
Do not drive fasteners into hard, brittle surfaces or areas where the fastener may pass through the material and protrude on the other side.
Saw Safety
There are numerous types of power saws, such as band saws, circular saws, radial arm saws, saber saws, and table saws. Regardless of the type of saw you use, never reach over the saw line to position or guide materials.
Follow these safety guidelines for working with band saws:
Set the blade with the proper amount of tension.
Keep your hands on either side of the cut line. Never reach across the cut line for any reason.
Do not stand to the side of the band saw.
Be sure the radius of your cutting area is not too small for the saw blade.
If you hear a rhythmic click, check the saw blade for cracks.
Follow these safety guidelines for working with circular saws:
Do not raise the saw any higher than absolutely necessary.
Fasten a clearance block to the fence when cutting off short pieces.
Never attempt to clear away scraps with your fingers.
Do not cut thin tubular materials with a circular saw.
Ensure that the fence is not in the cut line of the saw.
Take care when working with warped or twisted lumber.
Follow these guidelines when working with a radial arm saw:
Push the saw blade against the stop before turning on the power.
Never place one piece of wood on top of another when using this saw. The top piece may kick over.
This saw pulls itself into wooden materials. It may be necessary to hold the saw back to prevent it from choking.
Never leave the saw hanging over the end of the arm.
Follow these guidelines when working with table saws:
Circular table saws must have a hood over the portion of the saw above the table. The hood must automatically adjust to the thickness of, and remain in contact with, the material being cut.
Circular table saws must have a spreader aligned with the blade. The spreader must be spaced no more than ½ inch behind the largest blade mounted in the saw. Providing a spreader while grooving, dadoing, or rabbeting is not required.
Circular table saws used for ripping must have non-kickback fingers or dogs.
Feed rolls and blades of self-feed circular saws must be protected by a hood or guard to prevent the operator's hand from coming in contact with the in-running rolls.
Sander Safety
Follow these safety guidelines for working with circular and belt sanders:
Ensure that sanding belts are not too tight or too loose. Never operate a sanding disk if the paper is loose.
Use the correct grade of abrasive material for the job.
Ensure that the distance between a circular sander and the edge of the table is not greater than 1/4 inch.
Do not push materials against sanders with excessive force.
Sand only on the down stroke side of a disk sander.
Do not hold small pieces by hand. Use a jig for pieces that are difficult to hold securely.
Remember there are no solvents, aerosols, vapors (varnish, stain). “Do not use wood stains, varnish or any other material that emits fumes. This area does not have the proper ventilation for such materials.
Only students who have received training from the wood shop supervisor or authorized instructors are allowed access to the wood shop. No students shall be allowed to work in the shop outside of the wood shop supervisor’s posted hours, unless supervised by another authorized instructor. A supervisor must be present when working in the wood shop area.
Thank you,
Russell Maycumber
RMaycumber@flagler.edu
