Workshop Rules

Wear the Right Safety Equipment

  • Always wear safety goggles, dust masks, and leather or steel toe boots to protect your eyes, nose, and feet. Do not wear sandals or flip flops.

  • Ensure all exposed parts of your body are covered with the appropriate safety gear, regardless of the project duration.

  • Everyone in the equipment barn (the low barn with the power tools) will wear eye protection at all times.

Wear the Right Clothes

  • Opt for comfortable, well-fitting clothes. Avoid baggy clothing and long sleeves that can get caught in machinery.

  • Do not wear gloves, unless using special gloves for hand carving.

Avoid Distractions

  • Maintain undivided attention while working. Avoid multitasking, and keep your mobile device on silent.

Wear Hearing Protection

Use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing from the noise of woodworking appliances and maintain focus.

Never Take in Anything That’ll Affect Your Natural Judgment

  • Avoid alcohol or drugs before or during woodworking activities. They impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents.

  • If the organization holds an event with alcohol on premises, no woodworking can occur for the rest of the day.

Make Sure You Have Proper Lighting

  • Ensure your workspace is well-lit to avoid tripping hazards and to make precise cuts without blind spots.

Keep Work Area Clean and Dry

  • Maintain a clean, dry workspace to prevent tripping hazards and reduce the risk of electrocution.

Use Just One Extension Cord

  • Use a single heavy-duty extension cord for all connections to keep your workspace organized and safe.

Tie Back Long Hair

  • Keep long hair tied back to prevent it from getting caught in tools or machines.

Avoid Using Blunt Blades

  • Replace or sharpen blunt blades to prevent difficulty in cutting and potential damage to the machine and project.

Always Work Against the Cutter

  • Ensure the blade and material move in opposite directions to reduce risks of damage and hazards.

Do Not Reach Over a Running Blade

  • Disconnect and wait for the blade to stop completely before reaching for any stuck items.

Use Roller Supports and Extension Tables for Large Projects

  • Use supports and tables to move large projects easily, reducing muscle fatigue and conserving energy.

Have a Complete Understanding of Your Tool

  • Read and understand the user’s manual to know how your tool functions and to maintain it properly.