Woodshop Safety Test

Safety Rules for Scroll Saws

Keep the hold-down fingers resting on the workpiece, so the wood will not be raised off the table when cutting. Make sure the saw blade teeth point downward toward the table. Make sure the saw blade has proper tension before operating. Keep the wood, moving forward rather than toward the sides. Keep your fingers away from the front of the saw blade and out of the cutting path at all times. Use the correct blade according to the thickness of wood being cut.

Safety Rules for Router table work

Maintain a firm grip on the wood when pushing it past the cutter. Push the stock in the opposite direction than the cutter rotates. Only adjust the height of the cutter when the router is turned off. Use a fence for all straight cutting on the router, when possible. Use a ball bearing guide when cutting curves or irregular shapes. Use push blocks or push boards when possible, especially on small pieces.

Spindle Sander

Feed work against the rotation of the spindle Use the largest spindle possible Hand tighten the spindle when changing spindles Hold the workpiece with both hands

Attitude

Horseplay will not be tolerated. This is evidence of poor safety attitude. Keep your mind on your work. Respect the rights of others and their property.

Safety Rules for Planers

Adjust the machine to the correct thickness of cut before turning on the power. Stock should be at least 12 in. long, or several inches longer than the distance between the centers of the feed rollers. Twisted, warped and very rough stock should be jointed on one surface before attempting to plane the surface. Surface only new lumber that is free of metal, loose knots and serious defects. Plane with the grain, or at a slight angle with the grain. Never attempt to plan across the grain. Stand to one side of the work being fed through the machine. Do not feed stock or different thicknesses side by side though the machine. If a board becomes jammed, turn off the machine and remove the board.

Safety Rules for Band Saws

Adjust the upper guide assembly so it is ¼ in. above the work. Allow the saw to reach full speed before feeding the work into the blade. The stock must be held flat on the table. Feed the wood only as fast as the teeth can easily remove the wood. Maintain a 2 in. margin of safety for your hands from the blade! Plan saw cuts to avoid backing out of curves whenever possible. Make turns carefully and do not cut radii so small that the blade is twisted. Make relief cuts when needed, to avoid backing out of a cut.

Safety Rules for Jointer

Before truing on the machine, make adjustments for depth of cut and position of fence. Make sure guard is covering the cutter. Do not adjust the out-feed table or remove guard without the instructor's approval. The maximum depth cut for jointing an edge is 1/8 in.; for a flat surface, 1/16 in. The in-feed table should be adjusted for the depth of cut desired. Stock must be at least 12 in. long. Stock to be surfaced must be at least 3/8 in. thick.. Feed the work so the cutter will cut "with the grain of the wood." Use only stock that is free of metal, knots, splits, and checks. Always use push blocks or push boards with smaller boards, when using the jointer. Keep your hands away from the cutter head even though the guard is in position. Maintain at least a 4 in. margin of safety! Do not joint end grain. The jointer cutter must be sharp. Dull cutters will vibrate the stock and my cause a kickback.

Fire Prevention

Before using any equipment, you should know where the fire extinguishers are located and how to use them. Oily rags must be kept in a closed metal container to prevent spontaneous combustion. Keep the lids on finish containers when not in use. Keep liquid finishing supplies in a metal cabinet.

Safety Rules for Drill Presses

Check the speed setting according to what is correct for your work. Holes over ½ in. should be bored at the slower speeds. Use only an approved type of bit for drill presses. Bits with feed screws or those with excessive length should not be used. Mount the bit securely in the chuck. Remove the key immediately after tightening the chuck. Never start the drill press with the drill bit or cutting tool in contact with the workpiece. Position the table and adjust the feed stroke so there is no chance of the bit hitting the metal table. Work should be placed on a wood scrap board when the holes are drilled all the way though. All small pieces of wood must be clamped, to avoid losing control of the wood. While drilling any large holes, the wood must be clamped to the table.

Edge Belt sander

Do not push or force the wood piece into the sander Place wood piece against a stop whenever possible Do not operate the sander if the sandpaper is damaged

Rules for Working with Power Tools and Machines

Don't use any equipment unless the instructor is in the classroom. If a machine doesn't sound right, or if you can see that something is wrong, tell the instructor immediately. If you have to leave a machine, turn it off and wait till it stops. Pull the plug, not the cord, when you unplug a machine. Machine guards must be used at all times to prevent injury. Sharp or pointed tools must be carried with the point down. When you approach a machine, be sure it is off and that it is not coasting. Never talk to a person while he/she is operating a machine. While you are learning to operate power machinery, have the instructor check the setup before turning the power on. Before working on stock (wood or other working-pieces), check it for cracks, loose knots, and metal fasteners. Long stock must be supported when cutting. Wait until the blade stops before removing any scraps. Make adjustments with the power off and the blade stopped. Machines should be allowed to reach full speed before starting to cut. Avoid standing in danger zones. Never place your hand or fingers in line with any moving parts. When operating a machine, give it all of your attention. Stay focused. Don't use equipment until the instructor has demonstrated it. The cord must be disconnected from the power source before changing bit's, belts, or blades. Never set a hand-held power tool down while it is running or coasting. Take your time when working with tools. Use only tools that are sharp and in good condition. Use the right tool for the job. Be sure you have the instructor's approval to operate the machine Wear appropriate clothing. Remove coats or jackets, tuck in your tie, and roll up loose sleeves. You must be wide awake and alert. Never operate a machine when you are very tired or very ill. (This does not mean a mild headache, etc.) Think through the operation before performing it. Know what you are going to do, and what the machine will do. Make all the necessary adjustments before turning on the machine. Some adjustments on certain machines will require the instructor's approval. Keep the machine tables and working surfaces clear of tools, stock, and project materials. Also keep the floor free of scraps and excessive litter. Maintain the MARGIN OF SAFETY specified for the machine. This is the minimum distance your hands should be from the cutting tool while in operation. Machines should not be used for trivial operations, especially on small pieces of stock. Do not play with machines.

Safety Rules for the Wood Lathe

Examine the set-up before turning on the power. Adjust to tool rest height properly Adjust the tool rest as close to the workpiece as possible. Rotate the wood to make sure it does not touch the tool rest. Never Adjust the tool rest while the workpiece is turning Remove the tool rest when sanding and finishing Set the drive center into the workpiece with a soft mallet prior to installing it into the headstock. Rough cut faceplate work as close as possible to the finished shape before mounting it on the lathe. Move the cutting tool into the workpiece slowly, and cut small amounts when rough turning. Use the slower speeds when starting a new work piece. Make sure the lathe speed is set to slow and the brake pin has been released before turning on the lathe. Recommended to use a dust mask while working on the lathe.

Safety Rules for Power Miter Saws

Stock must be held firmly on the table and against the fence for all crosscutting operations. The ends of long boards must be supported level with the table. Do not force the saw blade, let it cut the board at the rate for which it was designed. Don't attempt to cut pieces less than 6" long. Maintain a 6 in. margin of safety for your hands from the blade. Shut off the motor and wait for the blade to stop before making any adjustments. Be sure the blade is stopped before you leave the machine and remove all stock. Keep the table clean and free of wood scraps and excessive amounts of sawdust.

Safety Rules for Table Saws

The saw is equipped with a blade safety guard and a splitter. Be sure to use them. Set the blade to extend about ¼ in. above the stock to be cut. Stand to one side of the rotating blade and do not reach across it. Stock should have at least one smooth surface and one edge jointed before being cut on the table saw. The position of the stock must be controlled either by the fence or the miter gauge. NEVER CUT STOCK FREE HAND. Use a push board for narrow wood between the fence and blade when ripping. Use only new stock that is free of knots, splits, and wrap. Stop the saw before making adjustments to the fence or blade. Do not let small scrap cuttings accumulate around the saw blade. Use a push stick to move them away after the blade has stopped. Students helping to "tail-off" or support the wood should not pull on the stock but only support it. The operator must control the feed speed and direction of the cut. As you complete your work, turn off the machine and remain until the blade has stopped. Clear the saw table and place waste cuttings in the scrap box.

Clothing and Protective Equipment

Wearing jewelry or loose clothes in the lab is dangerous. Long hair should be tied back or worn under a cap to avoid getting it caught in the machinery. Covered toe shoes or boots with rubber soles should be worn. Always wear proper eye protection when working in the shop or with power equipment. Ear protection should be used, equipment can be very loud. Report even the slightest injury. Small cuts or other minor injuries may become serious if left unattended