The Woodshop

A woodshop can be an extremely hazardous place. Take a look around to see all the hazards, lifting hazards, and fire hazards. Plus, there are slipping and tripping hazards, and hazardous materials that can burn the skin or emit toxic f In a woodshop, danger is always present. To stay safe, you need a plan, just Here's a simple one that you can follow to help ensure your safety when you're working in a woodshop. In these steps are as follows. Dress for safety. Be familiar with safety rules. Handle materials carefully. Use tools properly. Practice good housekeeping. And exercise caution when using hazardous materials. If you believe that you can prevent an accident, you can. Start with a positive attitude. Dress for safety. Never perform a job without proper protection. People have been injured, some seriously, when clot Others have been injured because they failed to wear appropriate personal protective equipment where hazards existed. To help ensure safety, avoid wearing loose fitting clot If possible, wear short sleeve s Be sure to tuck in your blouse or s Tie your hair back or wear a cap. Hair can become entangled in a cutter or in a rotating shaft. Take off rings, watches and other jewelry. These two may catch on rotating blades, cutters or shafts. Wear sturdy shoes with slip resistant soles. Avoid wearing sandals or open toed shoes in the shop. If your work exposes you to possible foot injuries, wear steel toed shoes. Always use personal protective equipment before you start any job. Always wear eye protection. It is essential in a wood shop. In addition, you may need a face s Remember personal protective equipment is your first line of defense against certain workshop hazards. Be familiar with safety rules. Before you enter the school shop, familiarize yourself with general safety precautions. Know where safety rules are posted and study these rules before going to work. If you don't know the safe way to use a mac When you work, don'take shortcut and don't hurry. Remember an accident may be only one mistake away. If you're tired or feel sick, take a break or avoid working all together. Mac The next step in your safety plan is to handle materials carefully. Routine wood shop tasks such as stacking l To avoid injury when lifting and carrying heavy loads, use proper lifting techniques. Bend at the knees to grasp the object and use your legs to lift. If the object is too heavy for you, ask someone to help. When handling or storing l Make sure everyone is clear of your traffic area before you begin to move the l Stack shorter pieces on top of the pile. Before using any stock, inspect it for nails, staples, knots and severe warps. Remove or bend down nails. Cut stock with knots and other defects into smaller pieces with the defects removed. When mac Rus Finally, always use safe work procedures for feeding stock into the mac If you have any questions, ask your instructor or check with the manufacturer's instruction. The next step to safety in the woodshop is to use tools properly. Improper use of tools is a major cause of injuries in wood shops. Power tools and even hand tools can be very dangerous and are only safe if the person using them is careful. Always inspect hand tools including hammers, pack saws, pliers and wrenches before use. Never use a damaged or defective tool. Use the right tool for the job. For example, never use a c Before you use any power tool, make sure you're familiar with its operating features. Study the owner's manual and learn how to operate the tool correctly and safely. Always wear appropriate first and protected equipment w Be especially cautious when using power tools. The speed of power tools limits your reaction time if you make a mistake. T Before using a power tool, make sure all safety fixtures, devices and mac These safety features are there for your protection. Ask your instructor for permission before removing or altering a safety device. Handle power tools carefully. Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect a tool from an electrical outlet and never carry a tool by the cord or hose. When using a power tool, keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil and sharp edges. Keep all people not involved with the work at a safe distance from the work area. Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool. Keep good footing and maintain good balance. Be careful to avoid the accidental startup of a power tool. For example, do not hold your fingers on the switch button w Disconnect tools when not using them before servicing and cleaning them and when changing accessories such as blades, bits and cutters. And take good care of your tools. Keep them sharp and clean for optimal performance. If you see a damaged portable electrical tool, remove it from service and tag it do not use. And keep workplace floors as clean and dry as possible to help prevent accidental slipping with or around dangerous hand tools. Another key element in shop safety is the proper handling of hazardous material. Wood shops are filled with hazardous materials. Glues, paint strippers, paints and finishes, solvents and preservatives often contain chemicals that can burn the skin, poison the air you breathe and even cause fire. To help ensure safety, always read the labels of finishes, solvents, adhesives and other chemical products that you use. Follow instructions for safe use. In particular, pay attention to information about hazards, antidotes, storage and disposal. If you have any questions, read the material safety data sheet related to the product. The material safety data sheet contains information about the type of hazard or hazards that the product presents, as well as procedures for safe use. Generally when using hazardous materials such as flammable chemical products, keep products away from sources of heat and work only in a well ventilated area. Avoid spilling and also avoid having the skin, eyes and clot When you're finished using a hazardous chemical, store it in an airtight container away from heat sources. Wash hands thoroughly after contacting solvents and lubricants. Store clothes soaked with chemicals in designated storage areas. Keep flammables away from combustibles such as paper, sawdust or other waste materials. The final step to woodshop safety is to practice good housekeeping. A cluttered woodshop invites accidents, spilled liquids, scraps on the floor and even misplaced tools can pose hazards to everyone working in the shop. To help reduce the risk of accidents, keep your work area clean and neat. Keep floors and mac If you spill somet Keep your tools clean, oiled and in good condition. When you're finished with tools, put them away where they belong. Do not leave them lying around the woodshop. Finally, keep in mind that the potential for accidents always exist in a woodshop. To prepare yourself, know where the first aid kit is located and know how to get medical help if needed. Also, know what to do if there's a fire. Don'take chances. If your safety is threatened, get out quickly and call for help. Woodshop safety, just To help prevent accidents, follow your six-point safety plan. Dress for safety. Be familiar with safety rules. Handle materials carefully. Use tools properly. Practice good house keeping. An exercise caution when using hazardous materials. When you've finished your project, safely, you can take pride in a job well done. Thank you.