Safety Standards

This is the Guild Shop. It is different from your home shop or workplace, and these safety standards may differ from your practices in those environments. The Guild Shop is equipped and organized to accommodate a large number of users with a wide range of skills. It is mandatory that all users, from novice to professional, abide by the same safety standards and practices.

• If you see a potential hazard or hazardous behavior, notify the Shop Attendant immediately.
• If a machine is not performing properly or is out of adjustment, shut the power off immediately, unplug the machine and notify the Shop Attendant.
• Never leave a machine running and unattended.
• Always unplug any machine before changing cutters and blades. Make sure that the machine switch is in the OFF position before reconnecting the power supply.
• Give your work your undivided attention. Approach each task and machine with a deliberate focus on its requirements and potential hazards. If you are tired or feel rushed, save it for another day.
• Poor housekeeping causes accidents. Each user is responsible for keeping their work area clear of hazards to themselves or others. Keep cords and hoses out of the path of travel.
• Apparel & accessories. Before operating machines, remove loose clothing, gloves, watches and jewelry (see Rings below); tie back long hair.
• Rings. De-gloving accidents are serious and debilitating. The Guild highly recommends removal of all finger rings while in the machine room, however this is matter of personal responsibility.”
• Know the machine. It’s unlikely that the table saw, planer, router or other machine in the Guild Shop is identical to the one in your shop. Make sure you have a good understanding of these differences. Consult with the Shop Attendant if you have any uncertainty.
• Use the machine for its intended purpose. Do not cut smaller or larger material than the tool is designed for. Do not force a tool attachment, guard or hold down to do more than it was designed to do.
• Do not use excessive force in feeding material into any cutting blade or bit.
• Do not overreach. Maintain a balanced stance at all times, so that you do not fall or lean into blades or other moving parts.
• Do not remove any guards or protective devices from Guild Shop machines.
• Hearing protection must be worn in the machine room.
• Dust masks are optional, but highly recommended at all times, with an N95 rated mask as a minimum. Personal preference is allowed, unless the duty SA determines the air quality at that moment requires one. Lung damage is a long term hazard.
• Safety glasses meeting ANSI Z87.1-2015 must be worn in the machine room. This standard requires side protection on the glasses.
• Use of epoxy. The mixing, applying, cutting, machining and sanding any epoxy product in or around the Guild Shop is not allowed. The only exception which may be machined: Epoxy applications completed off-site and are, in total, no more than a few ~2” diameter knot holes, cured for two weeks. These restrictions also apply to work done with hand tools (block plane, chisel, etc.)
• Stay at least 3’ away from any machine operator. They may be startled by your presence, particularly if they are wearing personal protection equipment.
• Keep your fingers and hands at least 3” away from any machine’s blades, bits or other moving parts. Use push sticks, hold downs or feather-boards where appropriate.
• Stay out of any potential kickback path. Table saws, jointers, planers and routers are all capable of kickback.
• Avoid kickback altogether. Use the safeguards and safe practices appropriate to the machine.
• It doesn’t have to be a machine. Injuries result from poorly maintained or improperly used chisels, planes, saws and screwdrivers. Use every tool carefully.