THE ESSENTIAL

SAFETY PROTOCOLS
IN WOODWORKING
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
 Don’t hurry or work tired – Most
accidents happen because the
woodworker did not take the time to
prepare for just one quick cut. When you
are tired or otherwise impaired, get out of
the shop

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
 If it makes you nervous, don’t do it –
trust the voice in your head that warns
you something isn’t safe

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

 Heed manufacturer’s warnings –

safety instructions are there because
someone somewhere got hurt.

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)c
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
 Use Personal Protective Equipment’s
(PPE’s)
 Wear eye protection – Even the smallest piece of
flying wood or metal can make you blind! Don’t risk it

 Protect your hearing and your lungs – hearing loss

happens slowly and unnoticed, so keep that in mind.
Wood dust and other particles that you breathe in can
do cumulative damage to your lungs, so take
precautions against that too.

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)c
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
 Keep the woodshop clean and
uncluttered

- Avoid tripping over clutter and getting injured.

Put all tools away after every operation. This rule
applies to your person as well. Remove jewelry,
roll up your sleeves, and tie up long hair.

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)c
 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
 Prevent accidents, but prepare for them
- a quick response can dead off a true
disaster. Know where the first aid kit is kept,
where the fire extinguishers are, and
emergency numbers.

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)c
 All woodworking machines can be
dangerous if not used properly, so read
the owner's manual carefully, make sure
you understand instructions before
attempting to use any woodworking
machine, and learn the applications and
limitations before use.

workshop_safety_booklet.pdf (mcgill.ca)c
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
• USE EQUIPMENT THAT MEETS OSHA, ANSI, AND NFPA NATIONAL
ELECTRICAL CODE STANDARDS.
• SPECIFY NEEDS DURING PURCHASING.

• MAINTAIN ALL MACHINES SO THAT WHILE THEY ARE RUNNING

AT FULL OR IDLE SPEED AND WITH THE LARGEST CUTTING
TOOL ATTACHED, THEY ARE FREE OF EXCESSIVE NOISE AND
VIBRATION.
• LEVEL ALL MACHINES, INCLUDING PORTABLE OR MOBILE
ONES.
• SECURE MACHINES TO THE FLOOR OR OTHER FOUNDATIONS,
WHEN POSSIBLE, TO ELIMINATE MOVEMENT.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)
• SECURE SMALL UNITS TO BENCHES OR STANDS.
• MAKE SURE THE MACHINE IS CONSTRUCTED SO THAT
TOOLS THAT ARE TOO LARGE CANNOT BE MOUNTED.
• ENSURE THAT ALL ARBORS AND MANDRELS HAVE
FIRM AND SECURE BEARINGS AND ARE FREE FROM
SLIP OR PLAY.
• REGULARLY CHECK THE ADJUSTMENT OF ALL
SAFETY DEVICES.
• THOSE INVOLVING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS SHOULD BE
ACTUATED TO MAKE SURE THEY OPERATE PROPERLY.
• OPERATORS SHOULD LOCK OUT MACHINES BEFORE
CLEANING, ADJUSTING, OR MAINTAINING THEM.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)
• KEEP LOOSE CLOTHING, LONG HAIR, JEWELRY, AND
GLOVES AWAY FROM ROTATING PARTS OF
MACHINERY.
• ESPECIALLY FROM NIPS POINTS AND THE POINT OF
OPERATION
• AFTER THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY
STOPPED, CLEAN WORK SURFACES WITH A BRUSH,
NOT WITH THE HAND OR A COMPRESSED AIR
NOZZLE.
• IF POSSIBLE, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ONLY WHILE THE
MACHINE IS NOT RUNNING.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
• ALL METAL FRAMEWORK ON ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN
MACHINES SHOULD BE GROUNDED, INCLUDING THE MOTOR.
• COMPLY WITH NFPA 70, NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE.
• NFPA 70 INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
• THE MACHINE SHALL HAVE A CUTOFF DEVICES (EMERGENCY STOP)
WITHIN REACH OF THE OPERATOR IN THE NORMAL OPERATING
POSITION.
• ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONTROLLED WITH
A MAGNETIC SWITCH OR OTHER DEVICE THAT PREVENTS
AUTOMATIC RESTART AFTER POWER FAILURE.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• EXAMPLE OF DEVICES STOPPING RESTART

 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)
• ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (CONT.)
• POSITION CLEARLY MARKED POWER AND OPERATING CONTROLS
WITHIN REACH OF THE OPERATOR AND AWAY FROM HAZARDS.
• PROTECT OPERATING CONTROLS AGAINST UNEXPECTED OR
ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION.
• PROVIDE A POSITIVE MEANS (LOCKOUT) FOR RENDERING THE
CONTROLS INOPERATIVE IN EACH MACHINE OPERATED BY AN
ELECTRIC MOTOR.
• IF THE MACHINE DOES NOT HAVE A POWER DISCONNECT TO LOCK IT IN
THE OFF POSITION, UNPLUG THE CORD AND PLACE A SMALL PADLOCK
THROUGH THE HOLES IN THE PLUG.
• INSTALL AN ELECTRIC MOTOR BREAK ON MACHINES THAT HAVE
EXCESSIVE COASTING TIME.
GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)
• GUARDS
• ENCLOSE OR GUARD ALL BELTS, SHAFTS, GEARS,
AND OTHER MOVING PARTS SO NO HAZARD IS
PRESENT FOR THE OPERATOR.
• BECAUSE MOST WOODWORKING OPERATIONS
INVOLVE CUTTING, IT IS NECESSARY, ALTHOUGH
OFTEN DIFFICULT, TO PROVIDE GUARDS AT THE
POINT OF OPERATION.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• GUARDS (CONT.)
• POINT-OF-OPERATION GUARDS MUST:
1.BE MOVEABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE WOOD.
2.BALANCED SO AS NOT TO IMPEDE THE OPERATIONS.
3.STRONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE
OPERATOR.
• WHENEVER POSSIBLE, COMPLETELY COVER BLADES
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• WORK AREAS
• PROVIDE AMPLE WORK SPACE AROUND EACH MACHINE.
• SEE TABLE 21–A FOR RECOMMENDATIONS.
• MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF THE WORKER IS TALLER OR SHORTER
THAN AVERAGE.
• PERFORM ROUTINE FLOOR MAINTENANCE IN THE WORK
AREA TO PREVENT SPLINTERING AND PROTRUDING NAILS.
• INSTALL SLIP-RESISTANT FLOORING AND MARK AISLEWAYS
WITH PAINT, RAILINGS, OR OTHER MARKINGS.
GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES (CONT.)
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• WORK AREAS (CONT.)

• MAINTAIN GOOD HOUSEKEEPING TO PREVENT DUST AND CHIP
ACCUMULATION.
• A CLEAN OPERATION MAKES WORK EASIER AND HELPS
PREVENT FIRE AND DUST EXPLOSIONS.
• ADEQUATELY LIGHT THE WORK AREA AND ADJACENT STOCK
AREAS.
• GENERAL ILLUMINATION OF 80 TO 100 FC (861 TO 1076 LUX) WILL
PAY DIVIDENDS IN BOTH ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND EFFICIENCY.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• MATERIALS HANDLING
• FACILITY LAYOUT SHOULD ENCOURAGE AN EVEN FLOW OF
MATERIALS AND KEEP BACKTRACKING AND CRISSCROSSING
TO A MINIMUM.
• OPERATORS SHOULDN’T HAVE TO STAND IN OR NEAR AISLES.
• ARRANGE THE MACHINES SO THAT THE MATERIALS HANDLED
BY THE OPERATOR REQUIRE MINIMUM MOVEMENT AND
CHANGES OF HEIGHTS.
• THIS APPLIES TO BOTH INCOMING SUPPLY AND OUTGOING STOCK.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• INSPECTION
• MAKE SAFETY CHECKS BY PUTTING MACHINES THROUGH
TRIAL RUNS BEFORE BEGINNING A JOB AND AFTER EACH NEW
SETUP.
• THE OPERATOR SHOULD INSPECT THE MACHINE AT EACH
NEW SETUP AND AT THE START OF EACH SHIFT.
• THE INSPECTION PROCESS SHOULD FOLLOW THE
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
AND FLOW PATTERNS OF THE WORKPLACE.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• HEARING PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION

• MOST WOODWORKING MACHINERY CREATES HIGH NOISE
LEVELS REQUIRING THAT EMPLOYERS ESTABLISH AND
MAINTAIN HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
• MANAGEMENT SHOULD HIRE A QUALIFIED PERSON OR IH
PERSON TO TAKE SOUND-LEVEL MEASUREMENTS.
• IF SOUND LEVEL READINGS (DBA, SLOW RESPONSE) EXCEED
85 DBA OVER AN 8-HOUR PERIOD, THAT WORKER MUST BE
INCLUDED IN THE HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• FINE DUST
• WHEN WOODWORKING PROCESSES CREATE FINE DUSTS, THE
EHS PROFESSIONAL SHOULD HAVE THE AMOUNT SAMPLED.
• OBSERVE ESTABLISHED THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES (TLVS)
AND MAXIMUM PERMITTED EXPOSURE (MPE) LEVELS.
• FINE DUST CAN BE A HEALTH, FIRE, OR EXPLOSION HAZARD.
• FOR WORKERS’ PROTECTION, RESPIRATORS THAT REDUCE
INHALATION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF NUISANCE DUST ARE
AVAILABLE.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• ALL INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORK AREA SHOULD WEAR EYE PROTECTION.
• ANSI Z87.1 COMPLIANT GOGGLES ARE RECOMMENDED.
• SOME OPERATIONS MAY REQUIRE OPERATORS TO WEAR FACE SHIELDS
WITH SAFETY GLASSES.
• WORKERS SHOULD WEAR HAIR NETS OR CAPS TO PROTECT LONG HAIR.
• WORKERS CAN PROTECT THEIR HANDS WITH GLOVES WHEN HANDLING
WOOD BUT SHOULD AVOID GLOVES NEAR MOVING PARTS.
• WHERE THERE IS THE DANGER OF KICKBACK, WORKERS SHOULD WEAR
PROPER ABDOMINAL GUARDS.
 GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(CONT.)

• STANDARDS AND CODES

• THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OSHA STANDARDS, SUCH AS 29 CFR
1910.23, WOODWORKING MACHINE REQUIREMENTS, THAT STATE
REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURES FOR WOODWORKING MACHINES.
• SOME STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTION HAVE CODES THAT
SPECIFY REQUIREMENTS.
• THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL LIBRARY HAS AVAILABLE A
NUMBER OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DATA SHEETS
ON WOODWORKING MACHINES.
 SAWS

• ALL SAWS POSE POTENTIAL HAZARDS FOR OPERATORS.

EHS PROFESSIONALS CAN MINIMIZE THESE HAZARDS BY:
1. PROVIDING TRAINING FOR OPERATORS.
2. ENSURING THAT ALL MACHINERY IS PROPERLY GUARDED.
3. MAKING SURE THAT ALL ANSI, NFPA, AND GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS ARE FOLLOWED.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS
• BLADE CUTS OR ABRASIONS AND KICKBACKS ARE AMONG THE
MOST FREQUENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING CIRCULAR SAWS.
• THESE CAN BE MINIMIZED BY PROPER GUARDING AND TRAINING
AND BY ENFORCING SAFE WORK PROCEDURES.
• CIRCULAR SAWS ARE DESIGNED TO PERMIT A WIDE RANGE OF
CUTTING TASKS.
• THE PROBLEM WITH SAWS, AS WITH MOST MULTIPLE-USE
EQUIPMENT, IS THE DIFFICULTY IN DESIGNING ONE GUARD THAT
OFFERS MAXIMUM PROTECTION FOR ALL TYPES OF TASKS.
 SAWS (CONT.)

CIRCULAR SAWS
21-5 AND 21-6
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS—KICKBACK AND RIPPING

• A KICKBACK OCCURS DURING A RIPPING OPERATION WHEN PART
OR ALL OF THE WORK PIECE IS VIOLENTLY THROWN BACK TO
THE OPERATOR
• TO AVOID KICKBACKS OPERATORS SHOULD DO THE FOLLOWING:
• MAINTAIN THE RIP FENCE PARALLEL TO THE BLADE.
• KEEP THE BLADE SHARP AND REPLACE ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS WHEN
THEY BECOME DULL.
• KEEP BLADE’S GUARDS, SPREADERS, AND ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS IN
PLACE AND OPERATING PROPERLY.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS—KICKBACKS AND RIPPING (CONT.)

• PREVENTION METHODS:
• CUT ONLY MATERIAL THAT IS SEASONED, DRY, AND FLAT AND THAT HAS A
STRAIGHT EDGE TO GUIDE IT ALONG THE RIP FENCE.
• RELEASE WORK ONLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN PUSHED COMPLETELY PAST THE
BLADE.
• USE A PUSH STICK FOR RIPPING WIDTHS OF 2 TO 6 IN. AND AUXILIARY
FENCE AND PUSH BLOCK FOR RIPPING WIDTHS NARROWER THAN 2 IN.
• ALLOW THE CUTOFF PIECE TO BE UNCONFINED WHEN RIPPING OR CROSS
CUTTING.
• APPLY THE FEED FORCE TO THE SECTION OF THE WORK PIECE.
 SAWS
(CONT.)

RIPPING
PROCEDURE
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS—GUARDS
• SUPERVISORS AND OPERATORS SHOULD CHECK THAT THE
SPREADER IS RIGIDLY MOUNTED AND FULLY ELEVATED AT
LEAST 2 IN.
• GUARD A CIRCULAR TABLE SAW, USED FOR CUTTING, WITH A
HOOD THAT COMPLETELY COVERS THE BLADE PROJECTING
ABOVE THE TABLE.
• OPERATORS SHOULD LET THE GUARD RIDE THE STOCK BEING
CUT, ADJUSTING TO THE THICKNESS OF THE STOCK.
SAWS (CONT.)
SAWS (CONT.)
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS—RABBETING AND DADOING

• WHEN RABBETING AND DADOING, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE A
SPREADER AND OFTEN IMPRACTICAL TO USE THE STANDARD
HOOD GUARD.
• THESE OPERATIONS CAN BE GUARDED BY A JIG THAT SLIDES IN THE
GROVES OF THE TRANSVERSE GUIDE.
• THE HAZARDS OF THESE JOBS JUSTIFY SPECIAL GUARDING,
ESPECIALLY WHEN WORK IS BEING DONE ON SMALL STOCK.
• OPERATORS CAN USE FEATHER BOARDS TO HOLD THE WORK TO
THE TABLE AND AGAINST THE FENCE AS IT IS FED PAST THE DADO
HEAD.
SAWS (CONT.)
 SAWS (CONT.)

• CIRCULAR SAWS—PROPER OPERATING METHODS

• ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONS SHOULD OPERATE CIRCULAR SAWS.
• A SAW IN GOOD CONDITION AND RUNNING AT THE CORRECT SPEED
SHOULD CUT EASILY.
• IF A SAW DOES NOT CUT AS FAST AS IT SHOULD, OR IF IT DOESN’T SAW A CLEAN,
STRAIGHT LINE, THE SAW BLADE OR RUNNING SPEED MAY BE IMPROPERLY SET.
• NEVER USE A BLADE LARGER THAN WHAT IS ALLOWED FOR THE
MANDREL’S SPEED.
• USE THE RIGHT SAW FOR THE RIGHT JOB.
• TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BLADE HEIGHT.
• OPERATORS SHOULD STOP A CIRCULAR TABLE SAW BEFORE LEAVING IT.
SAWS (CONT.)
 SAWS (CONT.)

CIRCULAR SAWS—SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE

•THE CHARACTERISTICS AND CONDITIONS OF CIRCULAR-SAW BLADES ARE
IMPORTANT SAFETY FACTORS FOR THE OPERATORS WHO USE THEM.
• WHEN OPERATORS ALTER THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF A SAW THEY SERIOUSLY
AFFECT THE SAW’S EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY.
•THERE ARE NUMEROUS CONDITIONS WHICH MAY CAUSE UNSAFE, DIFFICULT, OR
UNSATISFACTORY OPERATION:
• BLADE OUT OF ROUND
• BLADE NOT STRAIGHT
• IMPROPER OR UNEVEN SET
• DULL BLADES
• IMPROPER BUSHINGS
• CRACKED BLADES
SAWS (CONT.)
SAWS (CONT.)
SAWS (CONT.)
 SAWS (CONT.)
• OVERHEAD SWING SAWS AND
STRAIGHT-LINE PULL CUTOFF SAWS
• CAN CAUSE HAND AND BODY
INJURIES IN SEVERAL WAYS:
1. WHILE THE BLADE COASTS OR
IDLES
2. WHEN OPERATORS REMOVE A
SAWED SECTION OR SCRAP
3. WHEN OPERATORS MEASURE
BOARDS OR PLACE THEM IN
POSITION FOR THE CUT
4. IF SAW BOUNCES FORWARD FROM
RETRACTED POSITION
5. PULLING THE SAW AGAINST THEIR
HANDS IN THE CUTTING PATH
 SAWS (CONT.)

• OVERHEAD SWING SAWS AND STRAIGHT-LINE PULL

CUTOFF SAWS
• GUARDING
• MUST HAVE A GUARD HOOD THAT EXTENDS 2 IN. IN FRONT OF THE
BLADE.
• PROVIDE A COUNTERWEIGHT TO RETURN THE SAW WHEN NOT
CUTTING WITHOUT REBOUNDING.
• INSTALL A LIMIT CHAIN OR MAGNETIC LATCHES
• EASILY ACCESSIBLE START/STOP BUTTONS
 SAWS (CONT.)

• OVERHEAD SWING SAWS AND STRAIGHT-LINE PULL CUTOFF SAWS

—OPERATION
• IF THE SAW IS PULLED BY A HANDLE, THE HANDLE SHOULD BE
ATTACHED TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT OF THE SAW RATHER
THAN IN LINE WITH IT.
• THE OPERATOR SHOULD STAND TO THE HANDLE SIDE AND PULL THE
SAW WITH THE HAND NEAR IT.
• AT THE COMPLETION OF EACH CUT, THE OPERATOR SHOULD PUT THE
SAW BACK TO THE IDLING POSITION AND MAKE SURE ALL BOUNCE
BACK HAS STOPPED BEFORE PUTTING HIS/HER HAND ON THE TABLE.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• RADIAL SAWS
• WHEN CROSS CUTTING, RADIAL SAWS CUT DOWNWARD AND
PULL THE WOOD AWAY FROM THE OPERATOR AND AGAINST A
FENCE.
• ALWAYS GUARD THE UPPER HALF OF THE SAW, INCLUDING THE
ARBOR END.
• THE LOWER GUARD SHOULD AUTO-ADJUST TO THE STOCK
THICKNESS AND REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE STOCK BEING
CUT FOR THE FULL WORKING RANGE.
• THE SAW TABLE SHOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH TO
COVER THE BLADE IN ANY POSITION (MITER, BEVEL,
OR RIP).
• RADIAL SAW INJURIES ARE TYPICALLY CAUSED BY
CUTS TO THE ARMS AND HANDS FROM THE BLADE,
FLYING WOOD CHIPS, AND HANDLING MATERIALS.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• RADIAL SAWS—RIPPING
• BEFORE RIPPING: POSITION THE NOSE OF THE GUARD, SPREADER
AND ANTI-KICKBACK DEVICES.
• WHEN RIPPING, ROTATE THE RADIAL SAW’S HEAD 90O SO THE
BLADE IS PARALLEL TO THE FENCE AND IS CLAMPED IN POSITION.
• FEED THE STOCK AGAINST THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF THE
REVOLVING BLADE.
• CAUTION: OPERATORS SHOULD ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PROPER
DIRECTION OF BLADE ROTATION.
• FEEDING FROM THE WRONG SIDE TENDS TO GRAB THE MATERIAL AWAY
FROM THE OPERATOR AND THROW IT TOWARD THE END OF THE GUARD.
SAWS (CONT.)
SAWS (CONT.)
 SAWS (CONT.)

IN-RIPPING >

OUT-RIPPING >
 SAWS (CONT.)
• RADIAL SAWS—RIPPING (CONT.)
• TWO POSSIBILITIES OF SEVERE INJURY ARISE FROM FEEDING
FROM THE WRONG SIDE.
• HANDS CAN BE DRAWN INTO THE SAW.
• FLYING STOCK
• OPERATORS SHOULD EXERCISE SPECIAL CARE WHEN RIPPING
MATERIAL WITH THIN, LIGHTWEIGHT, HARD, OR SLIPPERY
SURFACES BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED EFFICIENCY OF ANTI-
KICKBACK DEVICES.
• WHEN RIPPING, THE OPERATOR SHOULD WEAR AN ANTI-
KICKBACK APRON.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• RADIAL SAWS—CROSSCUTTING
• RADIAL SAWS USED FOR CROSSCUTTING ARE PULLED ACROSS THE
CUTTING AREA BY MEANS OF A HANDLE LOCATED TO ONE SIDE OF
THE BLADE.
• OPERATORS SHOULD STAND ON THE HANDLE’S SIDE AND NOT BE IN
LINE WITH THE BLADE.
• NEVER REMOVE SHORT PIECES FROM THE TABLE UNTIL THE SAW HAS
BEEN RETURNED.
• WORKERS SHOULD DEVELOP THE HABIT OF HOLDING THEIR ARMS
STRAIGHT FROM THEIR SHOULDER TO THEIR WAIST BECAUSE OF THE
BLADES DIRECTION OF ROTATION AND THE FEED DIRECTION.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• POWER-FEED RIPSAWS
• THE WORKING END OF THE SAW SHOULD HAVE 3 FT OF
CLEARANCE.
• OPERATORS SHOULD ADJUST FEED ROLLS TO THE THICKNESS
OF THE STOCK BEING RIPPED.
• INSUFFICIENT PRESSURE ON THE STOCK CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
KICKBACKS.
 SAWS (CONT.)

• BAND SAWS
• INJURIES FROM BAND SAWS ARE LESS FREQUENT AND SEVERE
THAN OTHER SAWS.
• PUSH STICK TO CONTROL THE WORK PIECE WHEN IT’S CLOSE TO
THE BLADE.
• ENSURE THE WORKING AREA IS WELL LIT.
• INSTALL ADJUSTABLE GUARD WHEN POSSIBLE.
• INSTALL A BRAKE FOR BAND SAWS THAT RUN FOR A LONG TIME
AFTER THE POWER IS SHUT OFF.
• WHEN WORKING SMALL PIECES, USE A SPECIAL JIG OR FIXTURE.
SAWS (CONT.)
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT

• ALL WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT POSES SAFETY HAZARDS FOR THOSE

OPERATING IT OR WORKING AROUND OR NEAR THE EQUIPMENT.
• WORKERS MUST BE TRAINED IN SAFE WORK PRACTICES AND IN
EMERGENCY FIRST AID AND OTHER PROCEDURES TO PREVENT OR
MINIMIZE INJURIES.
• COMMON EQUIPMENT INCLUDES:
• JOINTERS-PLANERS
• SHAPERS
• POWER-FEED PLANERS
• SANDERS
• LATHES AND SHAPERS
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)

• JOINT-PLANERS
• SECOND ONLY TO CIRCULAR SAWS, THEY ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS
WOODWORKING MACHINES.
• MOST INJURIES ARE CAUSED WHEN THE HANDS AND FINGERS OF OPERATORS
COME IN CONTACT WITH THESE MACHINES’ KNIVES WHEN WORKING WITH
SHORT LENGTHS OF STOCK.
• THE OPENINGS BETWEEN THE TABLE AND THE HEAD SHOULD BE JUST
LARGE ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE KNIFE.
• USE HOLD-DOWN PUSH BLOCKS WHENEVER THE OPERATOR JOINTS WOOD
NARROWER THAN 3 IN.
• OPERATORS SHOULD NEVER PLACE THEIR HANDS OVER THE FRONT OR
BACK EDGES.
WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)
WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)
WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)

• SHAPERS
• THE GREATEST NUMBER OF INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURS WHEN
SHAPING NARROW STOCK.
• USE HOLD-DOWN PUSH BLOCK OR JIGS IN THESE INSTANCES.
• ALWAYS FEED AGAINST THE DIRECTION OF THE ROTATION CUTTER.
• ELIMINATE THE DANGER FROM BROKEN OR THROWN KNIVES BY
USING SOLID CUTTERS THAT FIT OVER THE SPINDLE.
• CUTTERS ARE ALWAYS SAFER THAN KNIVES.
• USE APPLICABLE GUARDS WHEN POSSIBLE.
• ADJUST THE CUTTING-HEAD GUARD FOR MINIMUM HEAD
EXPOSURE.
WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)

• POWER-FEED PLANERS
• OPERATORS CAN REDUCE PLANER VIBRATION BY ANCHORING THE PLANER
ON A SOLID FOUNDATION AND BY INSULATING IT FROM THE FOUNDATION.
• DUE TO THE NOISE THEY GENERATE, POWER-FEED PLANERS SHOULD BE USED IN
A SEPARATE ROOM OR SOUNDPROOF ENCLOSURE.
• COMPLETELY ENCLOSE CUTTER HEADS IN SOLID METAL GUARDS.
• NEVER ADJUST FEED ROLLS, CUTTER HEADS, AND CYLINDERS DURING
OPERATION. USE PROPER LOCKOUT METHODS.
• ENSURE THAT OPERATORS AND OTHER WORK STATIONS ARE NOT POSITIONED
ON THE BACKSIDE OF POWER-FEED PLANER OPERATIONS.
• THE DANGER OF KICKBACKS CANNOT BE ENTIRELY OVERCOME BY MECHANICAL
MEANS.
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)

• SANDERS
• ENCLOSE DRUM, DISK, OR BELT-SANDING OPERATIONS WITH DUST
EXHAUST HOODS.
• USE APPLICABLE GUARD FEED ROLLS AT EACH RUNNING NIP POINT.
• ALL HAND-FEED SANDERS SHOULD HAVE A WORK REST AND (1) BE
PROPERLY ADJUSTED TO PROVIDE MINIMUM CLEARANCE BETWEEN
THE BELT AND REST AND (2) TO SECURE SUPPORT FOR THE WORK.
• OPERATORS SHOULD INSPECT ABRASIVE BELTS BEFORE USING
THEM AND REPLACE THOSE FOUND TO BE TORN, FRAYED, OR
EXCESSIVELY WORN.
 WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT
(CONT.)

• LATHES AND SHAPERS

• SUPERVISORS OR OPERATORS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE ROTATING HEADS
OF LATHES, WHETHER RUNNING OR NOT, ARE COVERED AS COMPLETELY
AS POSSIBLE BY HOODS OR SHIELDS.
• USE HINGE HOODS THAT CAN BE THROWN BACK WHEN ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED.
• MANAGEMENT SHOULD SELECT AND TRAIN LATHE OPERATORS WITH
CARE.
• OPERATORS MUST GIVE CONSTANT ATTENTION TO STOCK BEING TURNED
IN ORDER TO DISCARD ANY MATERIAL LIKELY TO BREAK.
• OPERATORS MUST WEAR PROPER PPE: SAFETY GOGGLES AND FACE SHIELD.
 SUMMARY

• ALL ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN MACHINES SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY

GROUNDED, HAVE A CUTOFF SWITCH, AND HAVE SOME MEANS OF
RENDERING CONTROLS INOPERATIVE.
• EMPLOYEES USING WOODWORKING MACHINES SHOULD READ
THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL PRIOR TO WORKING WITH NEW
EQUIPMENT.
• EMPLOYEES MUST FOLLOW GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PROCEDURES
AROUND THEIR WORK AREA.
• MANAGEMENT SHOULD GUARD AGAINST HEARING LOSS,
AIRBORNE DUSTS AND CONTAMINATION, EXPLOSION, AND FIRE
HAZARDS.
• MANAGEMENT CAN MINIMIZE HAZARDS POSED BY SAWS BY
TRAINING OPERATORS, ENSURING ALL MACHINES ARE GUARDED,
AND MAKING SURE OPERATORS FOLLOW ALL SAFETY
THE END