Politicians make policies and these policies do not exempt woodworking projects. A woodworking project safety policy is a document that is created to protect employees from injury and death at work. It outlines the company’s safety procedures and policies in detail. This includes the use of any machinery to complete the project. For example, the use of power tools like the cordless jigsaw (akku stichsäge test) and power drills.
There are many different types of safety policies that can be used for different industries, but they all have the same goal – to reduce incidents of injuries or fatalities related to work.
Other good reads on safety: Importance of a tracking software for safety of your kids.
Safety Policies on Woodworking machines
Woodworking machines are used in construction, carpentry, and the furniture industry, among others. These machines are used for drilling, sawing, grinding, turning, and milling. The number of woodworking machines is very diverse, we will mention a few:
- Planing benches
- Pen banks
- Table-free machines
- Vandict banks
- Circular Sawing Machines
This is just a modest listing of the vast array of different woodworking machines. Also consider all the power tools used in woodworking such as drills, hand sanders, jigsaws, and reciprocating saws. The diversity of machines is great in woodworking, but so are the danger and risks for the personnel who work with these machines. You can injure yourself by cutting yourself if you use the machines incorrectly. You can also get trapped or hit by chips and pieces of wood. You can also get all dust into the lungs due to poor dust extraction.
Therefore, the machines must be safe and well maintained. Employees must be properly instructed and receive appropriate personal protective equipment. In addition, there are other general aspects to consider when working with woodworking machines.
Working safely with woodworking machines
A number of things are important when working with woodworking machines. The following points will promote safety if observed:
- Make sure you get clear (safety) instructions before working with the woodworking machine.
- Make sure you get the right personal protective equipment and use it in the right way.
- Do not wear long loose hair.
- Do not wear necklaces, bracelets or rings.
- Do not wear clothing with wide sleeves if you are or can come near rotating machine parts.
- Do not wear a scarf and do not wear a tie.
- Uses a push stick to push wood under the cutting disc.
- Ensure that an emergency stop is fitted to the machine so that the machine can be turned off in case of an emergency.
- Machines must be equipped with a zero voltage switch to prevent the machine from turning itself on after a power cut.
- Ensure proper maintenance of the sawing machine.
- Always place the saw blade of the saw in the correct direction of rotation and with a suitable riving knife.
- The width of the riving knife should be smaller than the width of the saw blade.
Whether you’re a professional furniture maker or just starting out, safety guidelines are important for any woodworking project. These guidelines ensure your project is a safe and enjoyable experience.