Howard County Public Schools
Technology Lab Safety
• Each student will correctly pass all safety tests
and quizzes with a 100%
• Each student will demonstrate how to
correctly use each tool in the lab
• Each student will have their parent(s) or legal
guardian sign a waver accepting responsibility
if an accident should occur.
General Lab Safety Rules
• Use the equipment only when the instructor is
in the lab
• Wear safety glasses at all times
• Tie back long hair
• No loose clothing: ties, long baggy shirts
• No jewelry should be worn in the lab
• No horseplay in the lab
• No running in the lab
General Lab Safety Rules
• Wear only closed toe boots or shoes
• A dust mask should be worn when working
where there is a lot of wood dust
• Finishing materials should only be used in well
ventilated areas
• Always clean up spilled materials
• Keep cabinet doors and drawers closed
• Close vices when not in use
Lab Safety Rules Continued
• Carry tools with sharp points away from the
body.
• Keep hands and other body parts out of the
path of sharp edges.
• Place all tools in the middle of the bench.
• Do not bother others when they are working.
• No throwing anything in the lab
Lab Safety Rules Continued
• Stand away from machines when they are in
use. Do not crowd around any machine in
use.
• Always clamp or secure your materials.
• Do not use broken, dull tools or defective
tools. Report any broken or dull tools to your
instructor.
• Keep floors and benches clean.
• Report all accidents to your instructor.
Lab Safety Rules Continued
• Keep all safety guards on the machines, unless
given permission by your instructor.
• Disconnect the power from any portable tool
or power machine when changing a blade,
disk, belt, or bit.
• Never leave a machine running or unattended
under any circumstances.
Lab Safety Rules Continued
• If you see someone violating a safety rule,
let them know about it because it’s not
only protecting that person, it’s also
protecting you as well as the other students
in the lab.
• Try to inform the student as quick as
possible. If the student has already begun
to make the cut, wait until he/she is
finished, then tell the student what the
correct way should be or inform your
instructor.
General Lab Safety Rules
• Work benches should be kept clean and
organized
• Use a brush or rag to clear away saw dust and
scraps
• Tools should only be used for what they are
designed to do
• When you are finished with a tool, return it to
its assigned area
Lab Safety Rules Continued
• Never operate any machine or tool if you
are tired, dizzy, upset, worried, or in a
hurry.
• Never use a machine until full momentum
has been reached.
• Do not use any machines in the lab if your
instructor is out of the lab.
• Accidents are caused by inattention to the
job at hand, the use of damaged or
incorrect tools.
General Lab Safety Rules
• Ask for help when you need to handle large or
heavy material
• Lift with your knees, not with your back
• Never handle electrical equipment if your
hands are wet or you are standing on a wet
floor
• Equipment with a damaged power cord should
be reported immediately to the instructor and
should never be used
General Lab Safety Rules
• Don’t yank on the cord to disconnect a tool.
Pull the plug
• Use all the recommended guards and other
safety devices when you operate power
equipment
• Always disconnect the power equipment
before making major adjustments
• Never adjust equipment while it is running
General Lab Safety Rules
• When you turn off a machine, stay with it until
it comes to a complete stop
• Don’t distract anyone while they are using a
tool
• Using the tools and equipment requires your
complete attention at all times
• Always work at a safe speed
Howard County Public Schools
Band saw and Scroll saw Safety
Band Saw
Blade Guard/
Guide
On/ Off Button
Blade
Table
Scroll Saw
Hold Down Clamp
Table
On/ Off
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• Before using the band saw the blade should
be checked to make sure it is sharp and that it
is the right type of blade for the work.
• Check to be sure the blade is installed
properly with the teeth pointing down.
• Check to be sure the blade is installed
properly with the teeth pointing down.
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• The wheel guards must be closed and locked
before the saw is turned on.
• The blade guide should be adjusted so that it
is about 1/4”above the material you are going
to cut.
• When you switch on the saw, make sure it is
running properly
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• If the saw makes a clicking noise while it is
running, turn it off immediately.
• Never stand on the right side of the table, and
don't let anyone else stand on that side while
the saw is running.
• If the blade breaks, get out of the way
immediately
• Never make adjustments on the saw while it is
running
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• Wait for the saw to come up to full speed
before you start the cut.
• Feed the material smoothly and evenly
through the cut. Don't force it.
• Do not back out of a cut while the saw is
running. Turn off the saw and wait for it to
come to a complete stop.
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• A narrow blade should be used for cutting
small circles or sharp curves. Relief cuts
should be made first.
• Guide the material so your hands and fingers
are never in the path of the cut. Keep them
out of the line of the cut.
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
•
•
•
•
Keep a 3” safety margin.
Do not force wood through.
Use relief cuts on sharp curves.
Never have fingers in a direct line with the
blade.
• Remove scraps with a brush or scrap wood
after blade has stopped moving.
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety
• Plan the cut so you can keep your balance all
the way through the cut.
• When you cut a large piece of material, ask
someone to help support the stock while you
guide it through the saw.
• You should never try to cut cylindrical stock on
the band saw.
Band Saw & Scroll Saw Safety Continued
• The material must be held down firmly against
the table while it is being cut.
• Always turn the band saw off and wait for it to
come to a complete stop before you leave it.
Howard County Public Schools
Drill Press Safety
Drill Press
On/ Off Buttons
Chuck
Spindle Adjustment
Lever
Column
Table Lock
Table
Drill Press Safety
• Use only bits that are designed and
manufactured for machine operation.
• Be sure the bit is sharp, straight and in good
condition.
• Set the drill speed for the type of cut that is
going to be made.
• The clearance hole in the center of the table
must be lined up directly under the cutting
tool.
Drill Press Safety
• A piece of scrap should be used under the material
when a hole is to be drilled all the way through the
stock.
• The drill press must be completely stopped before
changes or adjustments are made.
• Let the drill press coast to a stop. Never try to stop it
by hand.
• Use a brush to clear waste material from the drill
press table.
Drill Press Safety
• Never leave the drill press while it is still running.
Wait for it to come to a complete stop before you
leave it.
• Get the instructor's permission before you use any
special set-ups or attachments.
Howard County Public Schools
Belt Disc Sander
Belt Disc Sander
DISC
BELT
TABLES
DISC
Belt Disc Press Safety
• Stock being sanded be held to the left of the sanding
disc that rotates in a counterclockwise direction?
• Always keep the stock Flat against the table when
sanding
• When changing belts and discs be sure to disconnect
the machine from power
• Get the instructor's permission before you use any
special set-ups or attachments.
Howard County Public Schools
General Power and hand tool safety
Hand Tool Safety
• Use only the type of tools that are designed
for the work you are doing.
• Always use the right size tool for the job.
• Check tools to be sure they are sharp, clean
and in good condition before you use them.
• Don't use your fingers to test whether or not a
tool is sharp.
• Be sure the tool handle is fitted tightly and
securely.
Hand Tool Safety
• Don't use a tool that is dull, broken or defective
• Tools should always be carried by the handle.
• Carry sharp tools so the edge or the point is
aimed toward the floor
• The material should be fastened down so that
both hands are left free to use the tools
• Plan the work so you can keep your balance at all
times. Plan it so you don't have to over-reach.
Hand Tool Safety
• Never lay tools down near the edge of the bench
where they could roll off, or where someone could
bump into them. Tools should always be carried by the
handle.
• Never aim a cutting tool toward yourself or toward
anyone else.
• Keep your hands and arms behind the cutting edge of
the tool.
• Tools that are not in use should be returned to the
assigned storage area.
• Tools should be used only if you understand how to use
them correctly and safely.
Reminders
• ALWAYS wear safety glasses. You will not be
warned you will be removed from class
immediately!!!
• The instructor must be in the shop before any
work is started
• Horse play will result in an automatic removal
from the room!!