Safety Rules

Leisure World Wood Shop

General and Equipment Specific Safety Rules

 "These rules are for the safe operation of the equipment in the Leisure World Woodworking Shop.  They do not replace or modify the operation instructions and safety concerns presented in the manuals provided by the manufactures of the equipment.  The Leisure World Woodworkers Club, its volunteers and monitors are not responsible for any injury that may occur to individuals participating in shop activity.  Therefore, all members using the equipment or participating in wood shop activity do so entirely at their own risk."

LEISURE WORLD WOOD SHOP GENERAL SAFETY RULES

1.    Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shield when operating any wood shop equipment.  Hearing protection and dust masks are highly recommended when necessary.  The individual is responsible for the appropriate use of safety equipment.

 2.    Before operating any machine, remove all loose clothing and confine long hair.  Do not wear gloves except for specialized hand caving.  Always wear shoes that cover the top of your feet.  No sandals or open toe footwear.

3.    Keep the floor around the machines clean and free of scrap material, sawdust, oil, wax and grease.  Make sure all extra equipment such keys, wrenches, scrap and anything else that might interfere with the cut have been removed and are out of the way.

4.    If possible, keep the machine guards in place at all times.  If the guard is removed for maintenance or any special reasons make sure that you use extreme caution and replace the guards immediately.

5.    Do not over reach.   Maintain a balanced stance at all times so that you do no fall or lean against blades or other moving parts.  Always position yourself with the kick back zone in mind.

6.    Be aware that each tool has limitations.  Use the correct tool.  Do not cut smaller or larger material then the tool is designed for.  Do not force a tool attachment, guard or hold down to do more than it was designed to do.

7.    Make sure that the motor switch is in the OFF position before connecting the machine to the power supply.  Always unplug the machine before changing bits, cutters and/or blades.  Make sure all adjustments and changes are tightened properly.

8.    Give your work your undivided attention.  Looking around, carrying on a conversation and "horseplay" are careless acts that can result in serious injury.

9.    Do not stand in line of blades or bits in order to avoid serious kickbacks.

10.  Always follow the 12" and 3" rule.     

       a. 12" long, If wood is less than 12" long, question if it is too short to run safely through a given machine. 

       b.  3" Rule, always keep hands at least 3" away from guards, blades and bits.  If procedure requires hands to be within the 3" margin, always use push sticks, push blocks, hold downs or another appropriate fixture

        c.   Always keep your hands and fingers away from blades, rotating parts, pinch points.

11.  Use push sticks, hold-downs and feather boards when possible.  Use suitable support if the stock does not have a flat surface.  Make sure all material is held firmly on the table and against any fence.

12.  Never remove small cut-offs, chips or scrap that lie next to any rotating blade or cutter until the blade or cutter has come to a complete stop.

13.  You must be wide awake and alert.  Never operate a machine when you are over tired or ill.  And never use the equipment under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

14.  Think through the operation before performing it.  Know what you're going to do and what the machine will do.

15.  Always allow the machine to reach its full operating speed to feed the work.  Feed the work carefully and only as fast as the machine will cut it easily.

16.  Never leave a machine running and unattended.

17.  If a machine is not performing properly, or is out of adjustment in some way. Shut the power off immediately, unplug the machine and then report the problem to the monitor.

18.  When in doubt on how to use a tool, check with the monitor.

19.  Do not use a tool unless properly trained.

20.  Use only clean wood, do not use wood with metal in it, green wood, or chemically treated wood.

21.  Never reach into the exhaust chute to dislodge material.  Stop and unplug the tool.  Use a tool other than your fingers.

AIR COMPRESSOR NAIL GUN SAFETY RULES

1. Review Leisure World Wood Shop General Safety Rules.

2.   "Disconnect the air compressor from the electrical outlet and nail gun from the air hose when resupplying it with nails.

3.   Keep fingers away from the trigger when not in operation.

4.   Press the nail gun firmly onto the stock before attempting to nail.

5.   Always be sure the nose guard safety spring is in position.

6.   Always move forward in a sequential order when nailing.

7.   Never use old rusty nails in the nail gun.

8.   Make sure no one is in line with the nail gun, including yourself.  

9.   Never rest the nail gun against any part of your body.

10. When finished with the nailing procedure, disconnect the nail gun from the power source.

BAND SAW SAFETY RULES

1.   Review Leisure World Wood Shop General Safety Rules.

2.   Adjust blade height to about 1/8 inch above the highest point on board cutting area.

3.   Hold stock firmly and flat on the table to prevent the stock from turning and drawing your fingers against the blade.  Keep hands braced against the table.

4.   Use push stick to remove cut pieces from between the blade and fence and narrow pieces.

5.   Use push sticks for narrow work pieces.

6.   Use holding devices for small pieces.

7.   Never have your hands in line with the blade.

8.   Make relief cuts before cutting tight curves.

9.   Avoid excessive force when pushing the wood past the blade.

10.  Do not back the stock away from the blade while the saw is in motion.

11.  Do not stop a band saw by thrusting stock against the cutting edge or side of a blade.

12.  Always follow the 12" and 3" rule.  Always keep your hands and fingers away from the blade.

 JOINTER SAFETY RULES

1.  Do not make cuts deeper then 1/16" inch in one pass.

2.  Do not joint edge stock of pieces less than 12 inches long, 3/4 inches wide and less than 1/4 inch thick.

3.  Do not pass hands over cutters.

4.  Do not joint clapboard, panel board or boards containing metal paint or varnish.

   PLANER SAFETY RULES

1. Adjust the machine to correct thickness of the cut before turning on the power.

2. NEVER plane more than 1/8” of wood at a time.

3. Stock should be at least 12” long, if you’re not sure, contact the monitor.

4. Plane with the grain.  NEVER attempt to plane across the grain.

5. Surface only new dry lumber that is free of loose knots and serious defects.

6. Stand to one side of the work being fed through the machine.

7. DO NOT LOOK into the throat of the planer while it is running.

8. Handle and hold stock only in an area beyond the ends of the table.

9. If the machine is not working or sounding proper, shut off the power at once and inform the monitor.

10. If need be, an operator can work with a partner to help catch the work on the outfeed table.

LATHE SAFETY RULES

1.  Review Leisure World Wood Shop General Safety Rules.

2.  Wear your Face Shield when operating any of the lathes.

3.  Before starting lathe for spindle turning, make sure work has the center properly imbedded, tailstock and tool rest securely tightened and there is proper clearance for the rotating stock.

4.  Before starting lathe face plate turning, make sure faceplate is tight against the spindle shoulder and the tool rest has proper clearance. 

5.  Select turning speed carefully.  Large diameters must be turned at a lowest speed.  e.g. slower speed for stock over 6 inches, medium speed for 3 to 6 inches and faster speed for 3 inch stock.  Always use the lowest speed to rough out work.

6.  Keep the tool rest close to the work.  Maintain the minimum tool overhang required to safely support the tool that you are using.   Rotate stock by hand to make sure it doesn't hit the tool rest before turning on the lathe.

7.  Keep the lathe tools sharp, hold them firmly and in the proper position.

8.  Remove the tool rest for sanding and finishing operation.

9.  Wood with knots and splits should not be turned.  Glued up stock should cure at least 24 hours.

TABLE ROUTER SAFETY

1.  Use push blocks to position your hands a safe distance from the bit.

2.  Large diameter bits are for use only in a router table.  Using bits over 1 in. dia. in a handheld router can easily cause you to lose control of the tool.

3.  Take light cuts.  Heavy cuts invite kickback.  If necessary, move the fence closer to the bit or switch to a larger guide bearing.

4.  Use a feather board to support the work piece against the router table or fence.

5.  Always feed the stock from right to left.

6.  Avoid shaping small stock.  Instead, shape a larger piece and reduce it in size afterwards.  If you must shape a small piece, build an appropriate jig or secure the work with a clamp.

7.  Always use a guard.  If the fence didn't come with a guard, purchase an aftermarket guard or devise one of your own.

8.  Never start the router with the bit in contact with the stock.

9.  Don't force the bit or overload the router.

10.  Secure the motor in the base before starting the router.

11.  Don't bottom out the bit in the collet or partially insert the bit.  Instead, completely insert the bit and then back off approximately 1/16th inch.

   MITER CHOP SAW SAFETY RULES

1.   Review Leisure World Wood Shop General Safety Rules.

2.   Keep one hand on the trigger switch and handle and use other hand to hold the stock against the fence.

3.   Keep hands out of the path of the blade.

4.   Keep guards in place and in working order.

5.   Allow the motor to reach full speed before cutting.

6.   Keep motor air slots clean and free of chips.

7.   Do not cut pieces smaller than 8 in. in length.

8.   Always keep hands at least 3" away from the blade.

9.   Do not cut "free hand".  The stock should lie solidly on the table against the fence.

10. Do not reach around behind the saw blade.

11. Do not take your hand away from the trigger switch and handle until the blade is fully covered by the lower blade guard.

12. Do not force the saw.  The saw cuts better and more safely at the rate for which it was designed.

13.  Do not cross arms.   

DRILL PRESS SAFETY

1.  Be sure that the chuck key is removed from the chuck before turning on the power.  Using a self-ejecting chuck is a good way of insuring that the key is not left in the chuck accidentally.  Also to avoid accidental stating, make sure the switch is in the OFF position before plugging in the cord.  Always disconnect the drill from the power source when making repairs.

2.  Hold the work piece firmly so that it will not fly or spin off the table.  It is generally best to fasten the work piece securely with clamps or hold it in a vise. This is especially true when drilling or boring small workpieces.

3.  Use the recommended spindle or chuck.  Most operations can be done successfully with the 0 to 1/2 in. capacity geared drill chuck.

4.   Be sure the drill bit or cutter tool is locked securely in the chuck.  Remember that all adjustments should be made with the power OFF.

5.  Adjust the table so that the hole in the table center is beneath the drill, or set the depth stop to avoid drilling into the table.  It is a good idea to place a piece of wood beneath the word piece to prevent this.

6.  Do not use too high a spindle speed.  Stay as close to the recommended speeds as possible.  If there is any doubt, use the lower speed.  The wrong application or high speed can burn the cutter tool and/or work piece and can hurl the work off the table with considerable force.  Too slow a speed with a heavy feed can cause the tool to dig into the work piece, which can stall the motor or break the cutting edges.  Always disconnect the machine from the power source when changing speeds or making adjustments.

7.  On deep cuts, raise the bit frequently to clean the chips out of the hole.  If the drill becomes stuck in the hole, turn off the machine before attempting to raise the bit.

8.  Never try to stop the machine by grabbing the chuck after the power is turned off.  Do not run the tool unattended.  Turn off the power and do not leave the drill press until the chuck comes to a complete stop.  

TABLE SAW SAFETY RULES

1.   Review Leisure World Wood Shop General Safety Rules.

2.   Never use a miter gauge and fence at the same time.   Use a Miter gauge for cross cuts and the fence for ripping.

3.   Ensure that the fence is locked in position after the desired width has been set.

4.   Hold the work piece firmly down on the table and against the fence when pushing the wood through.

5.   The edge of the board against the fence should be straight.

6.   Use feather boards or devices to hold board firmly against the fence.

7.   Ensure that there is adequate support to hold a work piece; use extensions tables or roller supports. The assistant should only support and NOT guide the work piece.

8.  Move the rip fence out of the way when cross cutting. Never use it as a cutoff gauge.

9.  When making multiple cuts of the same length, use a stop block that ends before the beginning of the    blade.

10. Always follow the 12” and 3” Rule. Always keep your hands and fingers away from the blades.

11. Use a push stick to remove the cut piece from between the fence and blade.

12. Keep hands out of the line of the saw blade.

13. Keep hands, face and body to one side of the saw blade out of the blade line of possible kickback.

14. Provide adequate support to the rear and side of the saw table for wide or long pieces.

15. Shut off power and turn off switch before doing any work on the saw.

16. Do not reach around or over moving blade.

17. Do not feed the work piece faster than the saw can accept.

18. When making angular cuts, put the fence on the open side of the blade to avoid trapping the work between the blade and fence.

19. Lower blade completely when finished.

(Revised October 2020)