Accidents Happen!
You don’t have to
encourage them!
Personal Behavior
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No running in lab or classroom.
No pushing or shoving in the
classroom or lab.
No fighting in the classroom or lab.
No “horseplay” or fooling around in
the classroom or lab.
Students are to be “ON TASK” while
in the classroom and lab.
Clothing
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Loose, baggy clothing is not to be
worn when working on machines
with turning parts. They are
dangerous. They should be
restricted when working in the lab.
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Roll up loose or long sleeves while working
in the lab.
Tuck in loose or baggy shirts and blouses.
Leave coats, jackets, and sweaters at your
seat in the classroom.
Use appropriate footwear.
Do not wear gloves when using machines
with turning parts in the shop.
Jewelry
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Rings, necklaces, chains, bracelets,
and watches must be taken off
before working on machinery that
has turning parts or when it creates
a hazard.
Hair, Eyes, and Ears
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Long hair must be restricted (pulled back) in
the lab. Must be kept out of your eyes.
You must wear safety glasses or safety
goggles while in the lab when work is being
done. (Glasses should be over the eyes not
on the forehead or the back of the neck.)
Where noise levels are very loud over long
periods of time, ear protection should be
worn.
Lifting
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You need to get help to lift heavy things, 1/4
your body weight or more. Do not risk back
and abdominal injuries.
Long objects should be carried horizontally.
The preferred practice is to have a person on
each end.
Be extremely cautious of raising metal into a
vertical position. It can easily come into
contact with electrical wiring.
Be careful not to drop or set heavy objects on
someone’s feet or fingers. They may be yours.
Open-toed shoes should not be used in the
shop.
Shop
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Do not allow chips, scraps, and other litter to
accumulate (gather) on the floor.
Wipe up all spilled liquids immediately to help
prevent falls.
Before operating any piece of machinery in
the shop, first learn the safety rules, how the
machine works, how to operate the machine,
and GET THE INSTRUCTOR’S PERMISSION.
Only one person is allowed to run a machine
in the shop. Others are to STAY AWAY.
Shop (continued)
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Stay clear of running machines and
dangerous areas. Do not allow others to
stand near a machine you are using.
Report to the instructor any machine or
tool that does not function properly or
shows need of maintenance.
Keep cabinet doors and drawers closed
when not in use.
All injuries, great or small, must be
reported to your instructor.
Keep vise handles down when not in use.
Tools
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Keep tools sharp. If treated with disrespect a
dull tool can be more dangerous than a sharp
tool.
If you find a dull tool, get the instructor to
take care of it.
Always cut away from yourself and others.
Always unplug electrical tools when you are
working on them, changing an accessory, or
when they are not in use.
Do not cut the third prong off a three prong
plug.
Make sure the tool is turned off before
plugging it in to the power outlet.
Tools (continued)
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If a power cord is damaged, do not use it.
Treat lasers with respect.
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Do not look into the beam of a laser.
Do not shine the beam into a neighbor’s eye.
Do not play games with the beam of the laser.
Use the laser only as directed
Do not experiment with a tool to find out
how it works. Always ask for help or read
the instructions.
Always treat scissors with respect.
Tools (continued)
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Only use a tool for the purpose it was
intended.
When finished with a tool, clean it and
return it to the proper storage place.
Do not use damaged tools. If a tool
appears to have a problem, or looks
damaged show it to your instructor.
Keep hands away from all blades and
cutting surfaces. Respect taped safety
zones.
Tools (continued)
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Hot glue guns are not toys. Hot glue
guns are to be treated with respect.
• Do not threaten or brand anyone with
them.
• Do not stick your fingers in the hot glue.
• Give the hot glue plenty of time to cool.
• Do not leave the hot glue guns plugged in
after you are through with them.
Machines – General
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Only the machine operator is to turn the
machine on or off.
Turn off all machinery when not in use.
Keep your mind on the job and
concentrate on running the machine.
Do not use any machines when the
instructor is not in the lab or class.
All adjustments need to be made with the
machine turned off.
Keep fingers a minimum of 2” away from
cutting blades.
Machines: Band Saw
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Before turning on the saw, adjust the
upper blade guide so it’s about 1/8”1/4” above the material you’re
cutting.
Wait for the saw to come to full
speed before you start to cut.
Wait for the saw to come to a
complete stop before leaving the
area.
Machines: Band Saw
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If you need to back out of a long cut,
turn off the saw and wait for it to
come to a complete stop.
Do not touch the blade. Guide the
material so your hands and fingers
are never in line with the cutting
teeth.
Use a piece of wood to remove
scraps from around the blade.
Machines: Band Saw
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Never stand on the right side of the
saw.
When cutting a curve, cut slowly and
do not stop cutting until the curve is
completely cut.
Make relief cuts before cutting curves.
Do not cut material that does not have
a flat side on the bottom.
Never force the material. Feed the
material slowly to allow a smooth, easy
cut.
Machines: Scroll Saw
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Check the blade installation, the
teeth must point downward.
Test the blade tension to see that it
is adjusted correctly.
When cutting a curve, do not stop
cutting until the curve is completely
cut.
Keep the top guide and pressure foot
adjusted to just touching the item
being cut.
Machines: Drill Press
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Be sure the bit is sharp, straight
and in good condition before using
it.
The clearance hole in the center of
the table must be lined up directly
under the cutting tool.
Use clamps to hold the material
securely on the table.
Machines: Drill Press
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Always remove the chuck key from
the chuck before turning on the drill
press.
Keep hands and fingers away from
the area directly under the drill hole
in the table.
Let the drill press coast to a stop.
Never stop it by hand.
Machines: Disk and Belt Sanders
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Always sand material on the down
stroke side of the disk sander.
Small pieces of material should never
be sanded on the power sanders.
They could get caught between the
table and the sanding belt pulling
your fingers into the belt.
Replace the sand paper if it becomes
damaged or worn.
Machines: Disk and Belt Sanders
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Keep the work moving back and
forth to avoid burning the disk
sander.
Use light pressure while sanding.
Keep the work flat against the table
while sanding.
Do not sand material with wet glue
or hot glue on it.
Machines: Spindle Sander
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Keep fingers away from the rotating
sanding drum
The sanding drum must not be used
if it is damaged or worn
Small pieces of material should never
be sanded on the spindle sander.
Keep the table insert in place.
Always feed your work against the
direction of the sanding drum
rotation.
It’s no
Accident!
Machines: Lathe
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Long sleeves, loose clothing, and
hanging items must be removed or
tied back before using the lathe.
Examine the wood for checks, knots
or other defects before you put it on
the lathe.
The work must be balanced and
securely held between centers or
mounted on a faceplate.
Machines: Lathe
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The tool rest should be set about
1/4” from the work.
Remove the tool rest when sanding
and polishing.
Use a slow speed to remove material
until it is round. When the item is
round, higher speeds can be used.
Use common sense and caution while
turning on the lathe.
Machines: Miter Saw
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The miter saw should not be used for
ripping.
Material must be held tight against
the fence and the table when cutting.
Hold the stock within 4-8” of the
blade.
Angled cuts are more dangerous
then square cut, use caution.
Machines: Miter Saw
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Make sure the blade is not touching
the material when you turn on the
saw.
Never cut small stock on the miter
saw.
Machines: Table Saw
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On the table saw, always use the
proper fence or gauge.
Never use the table saw without the
safety guard in place.
Make all adjustments before turning
on the saw.
Never clear away scraps when the
saw is running.
Machines: Table Saw
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Special setups must be approved by
the instructor before making any
cuts.
Never clear away scrap material from
around the blade with your hands.
You must get help when sawing large
stock on the table saw.
Do not stand behind the material or
in line with the blade when cutting.
Machines: Table Saw
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A push stick must be used when
cutting material which is 4” or
skinnier.
The blade of the saw should be no
more than ¼” above the material
being cut.
Never reach over the blade on the
table saw.
Do not cut material shorter than 12”.